Carbon Emissions

Step 1: Calculating Carbon Emissions

IFC's global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory from our global internal business operations in fiscal year 2008 (FY08) is 37,454 metric tonnes.


*When completed, IFC’s FY09 carbon emissions inventory will be available on this page.


Progressing toward a rigorous global inventory

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

Our FY08 global footprint inventory includes data from 82% of our country offices. Of the 82% of country offices that submitted data: 30% provided actual electricity data; 20% provided actual onsite fuel data, 75% provided business travel data, and 71% on vehicle fuel use data. Estimates were calculated to fill in the data gaps using the methodologies stated in the World Bank Group's (WBG) Inventory Management Plan (IMP).


Our goal is to close these data gaps, and have a rigorous corporate-wide inventory to set realistic reduction targets and accurately offset the carbon footprint of our internal operations. To meet this goal, the World Bank Group has purchased a high quality sustainability data management system, credit360. 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 office footprint information directly into an 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 countries, as well as regions. credit360 and will be used to report on FY09 data and beyond.


Sources of carbon emissions

• Staff air travel—includes 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 WBG's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Management Plan (IMP) ensures best practices are followed in IFC's carbon emissions inventory for its internal global business operations. The IMP sets forth the current scope and vision of WBG's commitment to inventory and manage greenhouse gases and the WBG's methodology. It 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") for its internal corporate greenhouse gas accounting and reporting. The inventory methodology is designed to meet the most rigorous and complete accounting and reporting standards.

The IMP includes detailed descriptions of the following: boundary conditions of the inventory, emissions quantification methods, data management methods, base-year selection discussion, list of management tools, and auditing and verification processes.