Criterion E.3 - Compliance of messages conveyed on carbon neutrality and carbon contribution

ADEME's position is clear: carbon neutrality only makes sense at a planetary scale, and carbon neutrality at the level of an organisation, a project or a product does not exist.

Accordingly, candidate tools are expected to convey the same clear and intelligible message regarding the term "carbon neutrality," and no ambivalent message (notably through indicators) should suggest an equivalence between induced, avoided and sequestered emissions.

Consequently, the "SBTi" vision (i.e. carbon neutrality achieved in the long term by offsetting "residual" emissions with sequestered emissions, while having worked towards one's own emission reductions along a science-based reduction pathway) will be deemed non-compliant.

With regard to decarbonisation strategies, any candidate tool claiming to contribute to the definition of decarbonisation strategies must refer to the ACT methodology developed by ADEME and CDP. Communications and positions on these strategies must not reduce them to simple action plans, and candidate tools will be expected to be clear about the overarching approach of decarbonisation strategies. These cover short-, medium- and long-term decarbonisation pathways, which may be validated by SBTi, reflections on the low-carbon performance of products and services sold, the inclusion of climate governance, actions targeting suppliers and customers, commitments to civil society, the definition of a more virtuous business model, etc.

Carbon offsetting occupies a particular place among the tools dedicated to combating climate change. Its preponderance and excessive use by numerous actors, notably in the context of external communications about their climate action, have diluted the nonetheless real value of such a practice.

Candidate tools are therefore expected to convey messages that restore offsetting to its rightful place — that of a useful practice to be used sparingly, as recalled in ADEME's recommendations. It cannot under any circumstances constitute the core of an organisation's transition plan or substitute for the reduction component.

Criterion

Mandatory	Criterion E.3 - Compliance of messages conveyed on carbon neutrality and carbon contribution
Question	Are the candidate tool's communications and positions on carbon neutrality consistent with ADEME's vision?
Answers	Yes, the communications and positions are compliant with ADEME's opinion No
Implementation guidance	Analyse the messages conveyed within the tool and on websites, blogs, social media and press articles referring to the candidate tool