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Carbon footprint

Comprehensive measurement of an organisation's GHG emissions over a given period, expressed in tCO₂e. Covers Scopes 1, 2 and 3.

A carbon footprint is the quantified inventory of greenhouse gas emissions of an organisation, product or event over a defined period (usually a fiscal year). It aggregates direct emissions (Scope 1), energy-related indirect emissions (Scope 2) and other indirect value-chain emissions (Scope 3), expressed in tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e).

The two dominant methodologies are the GHG Protocol (international) and ADEME's Bilan Carbone method (France). Both follow the same logic: define an organisational and operational boundary, collect activity data, apply an emission factor, aggregate by category.

Kabaun automates these steps: imports from ERP/accounting systems, mapping to the chosen framework's categories, application of Base Carbone or DEFRA factors, reporting compliant with BEGES, GHG Protocol, CSRD or VSME depending on your regulatory obligation.

Related terms

Scope 1
Direct GHG emissions from sources controlled by the organisation: boiler combustion, owned fleet fuel, industrial processes.
Scope 2
Indirect emissions from purchased and imported energy: electricity, heat, steam or cooling produced outside the boundary.
Scope 3
All other indirect emissions upstream (purchases, inbound transport) and downstream (product use, end of life) of the value chain.
GHG Protocol
International GHG accounting standard, published by WRI and WBCSD. Foundation of the vast majority of carbon footprints worldwide.
tCO₂e
Tonne of CO₂ equivalent: universal unit converting the climate impact of all GHGs (methane, N₂O, HFCs) into CO₂ equivalent.

Need more than a definition?

Kabaun computes your carbon footprint from these very terms: Scopes 1, 2, 3, CSRD or BEGES compliance, SBTi-aligned reduction plan.

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