KOUT 2090 - Initiation to the Carbon Suite: from the Carbon Footprint to the Climate Roadmap

Carbon accounting is a technique used to calculate how much greenhouse gas (GHG) a company/organization emits. Companies are increasingly required to assess their carbon footprint and set reduction targets that are compatible with the Paris Agreement, in order to limit the rise of global temperature to below 2°C or 1,5°C.

This course aims to teach students how to assess the carbon footprint of a company and build a credible climate action plan. What are the existing accounting methodologies ? What are the key principles ? How do you set ambitious yet achievable objectives ? Are short-term and long-term objectives incompatible ? How do you monitor the implementation of your action plan ? Such questions are very important to keep in mind when working towards reducing GHG emissions, and will be addressed throughout the semester.

This course will provide you with a broad overview of the main steps and key principles of carbon accounting (e.g. scope 1,2 and 3 emissions). The most common and widely used reporting frameworks will be presented (GHG Protocol, Bilan CarboneⓇ) and students will gain hands-on experience through short case studies. This course will also dive into several decarbonization pathways and students will be asked to build a simple climate action plan. Throughout the semester, different sectors will be studied, from oil and gas to cities and universities.

At the end of the semester, students who have properly engaged in the course, will :

• Know the different reporting frameworks and their key principles
• Be able to calculate a basic carbon footprint
• Have a better understanding of how to build a credible decarbonization pathway and climate action plan
• Have hands-on experience in a lot of different sectors
• Have gained data analysis skills

This course is an introduction to carbon accounting. It is suitable for those with no previous knowledge on the matter as well as those with basic background knowledge.

Pedagogical and feedback format:

• Individual feedback to the group after each case study presentation
• Individual feedback after the course’s exam and the midterm through Moodle

Assessment:

The assessment will be based on:

• A two hours formal exam to be done in the last session of the course. This exam will be open book (50% of the final grade)
• A 20 minute group presentation at the beginning of the course (15% of the final grade)
• A mid-term exercise in pairs (25% of the final grade)
• Participation throughout the semester (10% of the final grade)

Course workload:

• In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 1 hour a week
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: xx hours a week / 18 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 1 hour a week