Since 2012, Groupe URD has been carrying out carbon footprints every three years for one calendar year, using the methodology developed by ADEME. In-house carbon footprints have already been carried out for 2012, 2015 and 2019.
For Groupe URD, which began reducing its emissions in 2020, this 2022 carbon footprint assessment will now serve as a monitoring and evaluation tool for the commitments made in the Statement of Commitment on Climate by Humanitarian Organisations. As such, we have made a commitment to reduce our emissions by 30% by 2025 and 50% by 2030 compared to 2019 and in relation to our turnover.
Results of the 2022 carbon footprint assessment
The methodology used to calculate Groupe URD’s emissions for 2022 gives a total of approximately 145.7 tCO2e. It should be noted, however, that the assessment methodology has been modified to better reflect the carbon footprint of Groupe URD’s activities: particularly certain flights that were not previously accounted for which are now included in the assessment. These newly accounted for emissions are not negligible as they represent 18% of Groupe URD’s carbon footprint (shown in red in the diagrams below).
As in the previous carbon footprint assessments, the largest source of emissions is work-related travel (78% of total emissions) and, more specifically, air travel, which accounts for 73% of total emissions (105.9 tCO2e).
Groupe URD’s carbon footprint in 2022 (145.7 tCO2e) is just below our authorised carbon budget (149 tCO2e), in line with our emissions reduction target. Groupe URD is therefore still on track to meet its commitments for 2022. In concrete terms, in 2022, Groupe URD reduced the carbon intensity of its turnover by 19% compared to 2019 (despite the increase in emissions due to the new methodology).
These positive results are due to a combination of institutional measures (vegetarian meals and
teleworking), awareness-raising among employees and individual efforts to reduce air travel. This
reflects Groupe URD’s strong institutional commitment to climate issues, as demonstrated when we
signed the Statement of Commitment in 2020. There is still a huge amount of work to be done between
now and 2025 (-30%) and 2030 (-50%), and structural measures have been taken to maintain the
momentum.
Statement of Commitment on Climate by Humanitarian Organisations, 2020
In order to be in line with the international engagements to reduce emissions and global warming, Groupe URD is committed alongside ACTED, Action contre la Faim, ALIMA, CARE France, Electriciens Sans Frontières, Gret, Handicap international, Médecins du Monde, Première Urgence Internationale, Secours Islamique France, Solidarités International and Terre des hommes to halve emissions by 2030.
The Statement of Commitment on Climate by Humanitarian Organisations is ambitious, but is in keeping with IPCC recommendations. It includes quantified objectives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions: 30% less by 2025 and 50% less by 2030. It shows a clear determination to tackle climate and environmental challenges both via the programmes implemented and within organisations themselves.
On the one hand, each signatory has begun a process to define the path that will allow them to reach the objectives of the Statement, based on their identity and their history, their organisation and way of working, the kind of projects that they implement and their potential for change. There is also collective action by the signatories: NGOs have begun to share ideas, are working together on joint projects to optimise available resources and are coordinating with other actors throughout the sector.
Now it’s up to each signatory to manage its emissions reduction trajectory, and to share its experiences and results transparently, in order to raise awareness and mobilize other stakeholders in the sector to join this initiative and this momentum.