EIB publication of carbon footprint methodologies, project level absolute & relative GHG data, aggregate annual data, and impact reporting for Green Bonds

Six years in development—starting with the original proposals in 2008, EIB Carbon Footprinting Methodologies are mainstreamed into EIB project appraisal since 2012 and further improvements are permanently ongoing—widening to more challenging sectors such as Forests and considering challenges such as footprinting intermediated lending, construction emissions

Key points

Involve sector experts—and go slow as needed at the start to ensure buy in from—since they are the ones that eventually you want to carry out this work.
Once it is mainstreamed into appraisal a strong system of training and helpdesk function is needed—it is essential to develop key experts in each sector and to bring them together to review any overall changes.
Once GHG figures are produced, they will ultimately fall under the organization’s audit systems. It is essential to be well prepared for this, with good records and a rigorous checking system for consistent application of the Methodologies. At EIB, for our Climate Awareness Bonds (CAB), the project impact reporting framework we have developed draws heavily from our GHG analysis and reporting—increasing transparency and clarity for CAB investors.