About the Bilan Carbone® Methodology 

A Strategic Framework for Comprehensive Carbon Accounting and Climate Action


The  Bilan Carbone® is a comprehensive methodology designed to help organizations  measure, understand, and reduce GHG emissions. Originally developed by ADEME in 2004, the French Agency for Ecological Transition, and now managed by the  Association Bilan Carbone (ABC) since 2011, it is the most adopted carbon accounting frameworks in France.


A Holistic and Rigorous Approach

The Bilan Carbone® goes beyond standard emissions reporting. It provides a  rigorous, science-based framework that covers both  direct and indirect emissions, including the full value chain (Scope 3), which is  mandatory in the methodology. By doing so, it offers organizations a  complete picture of their climate impact and the tools to develop effective mitigation strategies.

At its core, the methodology is built around three strategic pillars:


  • Stakeholder engagement : Raising awareness, encouraging shared responsibility, and fostering collaboration across teams and partners;
  • Comprehensive GHG accounting : Covering all emission sources, based on both  operational responsibility and  upstream/downstream dependencies;
  • Low-carbon transition planning : Using scenario modeling (carbon tragectory)  and climate risk analysis to design  ambitious and actionable decarbonization pathways.

This approach embodies what we refer to as the  “Bilan Carbone® spirit”—a mindset that promotes  systemic thinking and the  integration of carbon into strategic decision-making. The methodology empowers organizations to move from data collection to climate leadership, aligning operational choices with long-term environmental goals.


Practical Tools and High-Quality Emission Factors

To support implementation, the Bilan Carbone® offers a suite of practical tools, including calculation spreadsheets and access to the  Base Carbone®, a high-quality emission factor database developed by ADEME (French environemental agency). These tools ensure consistency, transparency, and credibility in emissions quantification across sectors.

Organizations are also equipped to conduct  scenario modeling, enabling them to project future emissions trajectories, assess mitigation options, and make informed investment and policy decisions.


Reserved for Trained Professionals

To ensure methodological integrity, the use of Bilan Carbone® tools is  reserved for professionals trained by accredited organizations. While the official methodology guide (version 9) is freely accessible online (in French), access to the most up-to-date tools and support requires a  license issued by ABC to a legal entity.


A Catalyst for Organizational Transformation

The Bilan Carbone® is more than a carbon accounting framework, it is a  strategic transformation tool. It enables organizations to  rethink their business models, supply chains, and operations through the lens of climate responsibility.


To explore more about the Bilan Carbone® approach, clickhere  to visit the official Bilan Carbone® methodology website.


Institut de Formation Carbone 
37 rue des Mathurins
75008 Paris