How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
Reducing a company's carbon footprint is a crucial issue at a time when global greenhouse gas (GHG ) emissions are reaching alarming levels for the climate.
In France, CO₂e emissions continue to fall, as indicated by the Centre interprofessionnel technique d'études de la pollution atmosphérique (Citepa) in its barometer of greenhouse gas emissions for the year 2023. This initial estimate reveals a 4.8% drop compared to 2022, representing millions of tons of CO₂e avoided.
To reduce its carbon footprint, a company must not only comply with regulations, but also innovate in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing the use of resources, and improving energy efficiency in activities as varied as water management, production, food and transport, including air travel which has a significant impact on the environment.
The French government and international players such as Ademe and ISO, as well as NGOs such as Greenpeace and WWF, are stressing the importance of reducing carbon footprints, including in areas such as housing and employee travel.
The National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC) emphasizes the need for companies to reduce their carbon emissions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. This strategy aims to drastically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through an energy transition to renewable energies, the decarbonization of industrial sectors, and the adoption of sustainable practices in all economic sectors.
By implementing appropriate strategies to reduce carbon footprints, companies can generate both ecological and economic benefits.
1. Energy transition: a key focus
1.1 Reducing energy consumption
1.2. Accelerate the development of renewable energies
2. Industrial optimization to reduce GHG emissions
2.1. Improving production processes
2.2. Standards and certifications: guarantees of performance
3. Reduce carbon footprint through responsible consumption practices
Energy transition: a key focus
🌍 Reduce energy consumption
One of the most powerful levers for reducing GHG emissions is the reduction of energy consumption, a crucial action for sustainable living. In France, the residential and tertiary sectors, in particular housing and employee activities, account for almost 45% of final energy consumption.
To remedy this, companies, particularly French players, can improve the energy efficiency of their buildings by optimizing heating, air conditioning and insulation.
Solutions such as biomass boilers and heat pumps are proven technologies for improving the efficiency of heating systems, reducing a building's energy consumption by up to 30%. These actions are also part of a drive to reduce the environmental impact of energy demand.
In addition, renovation initiatives such as the Bpifrance program enable companies to benefit from support to carry out renovations that reduce their energy consumption and thus lower their carbon footprint.
Finally, it is essential to take into account the transport and logistics sectors, which account for a significant share of France's energy consumption. Encouraging the use of electric vehicles, encouraging car-sharing for business trips, and promoting low-carbon modes of transport are all part of this strategy of rational energy management and decarbonization.
⚡ Accelerating the development of renewable energies
Developing renewable energy resources can also help reduce a company's carbon footprint. France has set a target of 33% renewable energy in end-use by 2030.
Companies can make this commitment by investing in on-site renewable energy installations (solar panels, wind turbines) or by purchasing green electricity. For example, L'Oréal uses 100% renewable electricity at all its sites in the Asia-Pacific region, enabling them to pursue their carbon-neutral objectives.
In Paris, public and private buildings are increasinglyadopting photovoltaic systems to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. This also includes initiatives to improve energy efficiency in housing.
This evolution of resources is essential not only to comply with environmental regulations, but also to create long-term value for companies. A well-thought-out low-carbon strategy helps to improve brand image and customer loyalty, while helping to combat climate change and reduce operating costs.
Industrial optimization to reduce GHG emissions
🏭 Improving production processes
The industrial sector accounts for around 21% of GHG emissions in France. To reduce these emissions, a company can optimize its manufacturing processes by adopting less energy-intensive technologies and investing in more efficient equipment.
Process improvement and heat recovery are proven ways of reducing the energy intensity of heavy industry.
For example, ArcelorMittal has implemented optimization projects that have enabled it to set a target of reducing emissions by 35% through the use of less emissive manufacturing processes. Smaller companies, such as SMEs, can also take advantage of financing assistance programs offered by Bpifrance to modernize their facilities.
📜 Standards and certifications: guarantees of performance
The adoption of environmental standards is also a powerful lever for reducing carbon emissions. Certifications such as ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 are widely recognized for environmental performance management and resource efficiency. Not only do they guarantee a more responsible use of resources, they also enhance the transparency and credibility of companies' CSR initiatives.
These standards also encourage sustainable management of resources such as water, by optimizing its use in industrial and tertiary processes and projects.
Companies with ISO 50001 certification, such as those in the industrial and tertiary sectors, achieve significant energy savings. By rigorously applying this standard, it is possible to reduce resource consumption by between 10% and 30 depending on the infrastructure.
This international standard encourages more efficient energy management by identifying areas for improvement, while guaranteeing a continuous process of progress. For example, some companies choose to review the use of their transport-related activities, such as optimizing their car fleet to reduce emissions associated with business travel.
The benefits for companies include not only lower costs, but also improved environmental performance, an asset in ecological evolution and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Reducing carbon footprint through responsible consumption practices
♻️ Waste reduction and management
Reducing waste is an essential part of the move towards a low-carbon economy, and a major challenge for the environment. By adopting circular economy practices, companies can rethink product design and optimize materials management to limit scrap.
In France, nearly 4% of GHG emissions emissions come from waste management, a sector that requires concrete and rapid action. In Paris, for example, initiatives have been launched to encourage the sorting and reduction of plastic packaging, in conjunction with city-wide efforts and a growing focus on food-related litter.
Major retailers like Carrefour have taken significant steps by reducing their plastic litter by 30% between 2019 and 2023. These actions are part of a global approach to environmental responsibility, with a particular focus on reducing the impact of goods transport and optimizing logistics in major cities like Paris.
In the digital sector, companies are also encouraged to extend the lifespan of electronic equipment and recycle components to limit environmental impact. Ademe recommends strategies for recycling digital waste to minimize the ecological footprint. This includes not only recycling actions, but also measures to encourage the French to adopt more responsible behaviors in terms of digital practices, avoiding technological waste.
💻 The digital footprint: a major challenge
The digital sector accounts for around 2% of global CO₂e losses, comparable to pollutants from civil aviation. Data centers and computing devices are the main contributors due to their high energy use, particularly due to the cooling of their systems of systems.
Companies such as Atos are committed to halving their CO₂e discharges, by 2030, by improving the energy efficiency of their infrastructures and using renewable resources. These initiatives are part of broader Europe-wide carbon neutrality objectives aimed at minimizing environmental impact.
Reducing the carbon footprint of companies is a priority, both for climate protection and to ensure their economic resilience. Adopting energy transition measures, and optimizing industrial processes, can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating added value.
By integrating environmental impact at every stage of the value chain, from product design to end use, companies can sustainably minimize their carbon footprint. An effective low-carbon strategy not only reduces this impact, it also helps to improve the company's image, positioning it as a committed leader in the fight against climate change.
