The Carbon Footprint is an environmental diagnostic tool developed by ADEME. It allows a company to measure its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, both direct and indirect. By identifying the main sources of emissions, this assessment makes it easier to implement a climate action plan.
The Carbon Footprint measures 6 greenhouse gases, converted into tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e):
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
- Methane (CH4)
- Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O)
- Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
The calculation is based on the entire lifecycle of products or services, including:
- Energy used (manufacturing, usage)
- Inputs (raw materials, purchases)
- Freight (logistics)
- Business travel
These categories are grouped into scopes 1, 2, and 3, described below.
The scope 3 often represents the largest share of emissions, especially for companies with a complex supply chain.
- Appoint an internal lead
- Choose a baseline year
- Define the scope (operational and organizational)
- Select the calculation method
- Raise team awareness
- Available internal data
- External data: suppliers, customers, statistics
- Match each data point with an emission factor
- Convert to CO2 equivalent
- Write a clear, evidence-based summary report
Altopi provides you with a reliable and user-friendly online calculation tool. Our experts support you at every step to ensure your assessment is compliant and actionable.
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