In 2025, the EOF Jesuit Province carried out its carbon footprint assessment for the second time. This initiative is significant for Jesuits in Europe, as it demonstrates how the Province is actively translating the Jesuit commitment to care for our common home into concrete, measurable actions that can inspire responsible ecological practices across Jesuit communities. This exercise helps identify which aspects of Jesuit lifestyles contribute most to climate change, with the aim of informing concrete decisions on how to evolve our ways of living in order to care for our common home.

This initiative is rooted in the Fourth Universal Apostolic Preference, which has guided the mission of the Society of Jesus worldwide since 2019: “to collaborate in the care of our common home.” It also follows the ecological transition roadmap adopted by the Francophone Western European Jesuit Province in 2020.

Methodology

To estimate its carbon footprint, the Province drew inspiration from “Nos Gestes Climat”, the carbon footprint calculator developed by ADEME, the French Agency for Ecological Transition.

An individual questionnaire was designed for Jesuits, collecting data on:

• food consumption,

• travel and mobility,

• and personal consumption habits (clothing, digital equipment, etc.).

In parallel, data on energy and water consumption were gathered from the administrator of each community (referred to in Jesuit terminology as the minister), along with additional information related to community life. The emission factors provided by ADEME were then used to convert this data into CO₂ emissions.

This made it possible to calculate:

• the individual carbon footprint of each Jesuit,

• the carbon footprint of each community,

• and finally the overall footprint of the Province, by aggregating data from all communities and extrapolating results to include Jesuits who were unable to respond to the questionnaire.

Partnership with the Jesuit European Social Centre

The carbon footprint assessment tool for Jesuit communities was developed in partnership with the Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC), an apostolic work under the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP). This partnership demonstrates again that even robust provinces like EOF find their apostolate profoundly enriched by adopting a Conference-level perspective on the mission.

Based in Brussels, the JESC is a European Jesuit institution that reflects on and contributes to European public policies, with a particular focus on ecological and social transition. Since 2022, building on the work carried out with the EOF Province, the JESC has supported other Christian organisations in developing their own carbon footprint assessments. Read more here.

 Key Findings of the 2025 Carbon Footprint

The 2025 carbon footprint assessment (based on 2024 data) shows an average of 7.7 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per Jesuit per year.

This figure is:

• lower than the national averages of the countries where the Province is mainly present (France, Belgium and Luxembourg),

• yet higher than the emissions of the poorest populations in those same countries,

• and far above the global target of 2 tonnes per person per year by 2050, as set out in the Paris Agreement.

These findings provide both encouragement and a strong incentive for continued action, reinforcing the Province’s commitment to progressively changing practices in response to the climate crisis.

Between 2022 and 2025, the Province’s overall carbon footprint declined slightly. However, this average masks contrasting trends:

• Transport-related emissions increased significantly, largely due to the resumption of travel following the Covid-19 pandemic — a clear call for greater attention in this area.

• Emissions linked to food and buildings decreased markedly, confirming that the steps taken in these domains are moving in the right direction.

From Assessment to Action

The Province uses this carbon footprint assessment to identify priority areas for action in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Guiding principles have been shared by the Provincial with all Jesuits, encouraging more responsible practices in areas such as travel, food choices and heating.

The results of the assessment will also inform the revision of the Province’s ecological transition roadmap, currently under review. This updated roadmap will shape the action plan guiding the Province’s ecological transition in the years ahead.

Want to Calculate Your Own Carbon Footprint?

It’s easy to get started using ADEME’s “Nos Gestes Climat” calculator — a practical tool to better understand the impact of everyday choices. Calculate your carbon footprint here.