Carbon Emissions

Step 1: Calculating Emissions








IFC's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory from our global internal business operations in fiscal year 2009 (FY09) is 43,591 metric tons of tCO₂e.

(When completed, IFC’s FY10 emissions inventory will be available on this page.)


Progressing toward a rigorous global inventory

Since fiscal year 2002 (FY02), we have collected carbon emissions data from our Washington, DC office, which is our largest facility. Since FY07, we have collected emissions data from our 100+ country facilities.

For our FY09 data, the World Bank Group began using a new web-based data management system, credit360, for the collection and calculation of our carbon emissions inventory from our global internal operations. credit360 will help IFC overcome data collection challenges from having 100+ offices, ranging in size from one staff member to over 100 and spanning over 80 countries. credit360 allows data providers to enter environmental data on office operations directly into a user-friendly online data management system; easily identify data gaps or inconsistencies; create timely and meaningful reports to track progress; and review historical and current data for individual offices, countries, and regions.


Due to the complexity and detail of IFC's carbon inventory methodology, transition to the new system has posed several challenges—including data inconsistencies and issues concerning data calculation, which we are working to resolve. According to our latest calculations, global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from IFC’s global internal business operations totaled 43,591 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in FY09.


Sources of carbon emissions

• Staff Air Travel (including all business air travel purchased at HQ through American Express and additional air travel purchased by country office staff)
• Electricity (measured by kWh)
• Fuel (used for vehicles and machinery, and natural gas and refrigerants used in our offices and local leased/rented space)

Methodology - Ensuring Best Practices in Our Carbon Inventory

The World Bank Group's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Management Plan (IMP) provides a detailed foundation for the World Bank Group’s comprehensive effort to measure and manage greenhouse gas emissions from its internal global business operations. This document provides organization-wide information, including corporate overview and goals, boundary conditions of the inventory, emissions quantification methods, data management methods, base year selection discussion, list of management tools, and auditing and verification processes.

The IMP sets forth the WBG’s intention to create a GHG inventory that is consistent with the principles and guidance of the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s (WBCSD) Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative (GHG Protocol). The inventory methodology is designed to meet the most rigorous and complete accounting and reporting standards.