The Handbook is the standard of the CO₂ Performance Ladder. It describes the requirements your CO₂ management system must meet at each Step. Use it to set up your management system, reduce your emissions step by step and prepare for certification. Version 4.0 is the current version.
The handbooks contain all the requirements your organisation must meet. Download the version that matches your Step, or view the handbook directly in the login environment.
The handbook for Step 1 contains all the requirements for your first step on the CO₂ Performance Ladder: insight into your energy consumption, an action plan, and communication about your CO₂ reduction. Download Handbook Step 1
The handbook for Step 2 contains additional requirements regarding scope 3 emissions, a Climate Transition Plan, and active collaboration in the value chain. Download Handbook Step 2
The handbook for Step 3 sets the highest requirements: a Climate Transition Plan for all activities, with a long-term target of zero CO₂ emissions by 2050 at the latest. Download Handbook Step 3
An organisation seeking certification for the CO₂ Performance Ladder must meet the requirements of the Ladder. An external auditor checks if this is the case. The requirements of the CO₂ Performance Ladder are set out in our standard and consist of a general part, which all organisations must meet, and a part that deals specifically with the ambition level you choose as an organisation. If you choose level 3, for example, you will therefore have to meet the general requirements and the requirements specifically about level 3. Read more about Certification for the CO₂ Performance Ladder here.
Step 1 of CO₂ Performance Ladder version 4.0 is similar to level 3 of CO₂ Performance Ladder version 3.1. An organisation starts working on short-term targets (up to 3 years) and its own organisation’s energy consumption and emissions (scope 1 and scope 2).
Step 2 of CO₂ Performance Ladder 4.0, like level 5 of CO₂ Performance Ladder version 3.1, focuses on an organisation’s value chain (scope 3). The focus is on an organisation’s main activities and on the medium term (5 to 10 years).
Step 3 goes further than any level of CO₂ Performance Ladder version 3.1. The emphasis is on the long-term goal (up to 2050) of zero emissions, both for its own activities (scope 1 and 2) and for the chain (scope 3). An organisation is also encouraged to look beyond the chain to emissions outside the scopes, such as avoided emissions or emissions from biomass combustion.
All three are management system standards with certification options. They also cover overlapping themes: environmental management (14001), energy (50001), and CO₂ (the Ladder). However, the Ladder includes different Steps (unlike the ISO standards) and aligns with the GHG Protocol. See this article for its relationship with CSRD.
Because you implement a CO₂ management system with the CO₂ Performance Ladder, your organisation can fall back on this again and again as a foundation for the annual CSRD sustainability report. CSRD was taken into account during the development of CO₂ Performance Ladder 4.0. As far as possible, CO₂ Performance Ladder 4.0 uses the same preconditions as CSRD to avoid duplication of effort.
Read more about the relationship between the CO₂ Performance Ladder and CSRD here.
Ready to get started? In My CO₂ Performance Ladder you will find a clear, interactive version of the Handbook, complete with explanations of complex passages and relevant examples. Create a free trial account to explore the platform and begin your certification process. You can also upload your documents in this environment.
To calculate your CO2 footprint you multiply your use of an energy source by the appropriate ‘emission factor’. There are several websites that provide emissions factors for this. These differ per country. The following lists have been designated by SKAO and therefore must be used by certificate holders depending on their location unless they have good reason (as laid out in section 9.1.3 of the Handbook).
Sometimes a passage in the Handbook requires further clarification, or new insights emerge on how a requirement should be interpreted. In such cases, an additional rule is issued — known as a harmonisation act. The Handbook is normative, and the same applies to these harmonisation acts added at a later stage.
Organisations across Europe face growing pressure to demonstrate credible climate action – from regulators, clients and investors alike. CO₂ Performance Ladder 4.0 gives that ambition a clear structure and an internationally recognized way to demonstrate ambition, and results. Version 4.0 builds on more than fifteen years of experience.
CO2 Performance Ladder 4.0 aims to align as closely as possible with international standards and legislation, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). But what exactly is their relationship between them? Where do they differ or converge? In this blog, we…
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