The GHG Protocol is the world’s most widely used greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting standard.
It provides a comprehensive framework for companies, governments, and other organizations to measure and manage their GHG emissions.
The GHG Protocol was developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) in 2001.
It has since been adopted by thousands of organizations around the world, including over 90% of the Fortune 500 companies.
Article Contents
The GHG Protocol Is Divided Into Three Parts
Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard: This standard provides guidance on how to measure and report GHG emissions at the corporate level.
It includes three scopes of emissions:
- Scope 1: Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, such as on-site combustion of fossil fuels and emissions from vehicles owned or operated by the company.
- Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, heat, or steam.
- Scope 3: All other indirect emissions that occur in the value chain, such as upstream emissions from suppliers and downstream emissions from customers.
Project Protocol
This protocol provides guidance on how to measure and report GHG emissions from specific projects, such as renewable energy projects and energy efficiency projects.
Product Life Cycle Standard
This standard provides guidance on how to measure and report GHG emissions from products throughout their life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal.
The GHG Protocol is a voluntary standard, but it is increasingly being used by governments and regulators to set mandatory GHG reporting requirements.
For example, the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) requires all covered companies to report their GHG emissions using the GHG Protocol.
The GHG Protocol Has A Number Of Benefits For Organizations That Use It
Consistency: The GHG Protocol provides a standardized framework for measuring and reporting GHG emissions.
This makes it easier for organizations to compare their emissions to other organizations and to track their progress over time.
Transparency
The GHG Protocol requires organizations to disclose their emissions in a transparent manner.
This helps to ensure that investors, consumers, and other stakeholders have accurate information about an organization’s environmental impact.
Accountability
The GHG Protocol helps organizations to hold themselves accountable for their GHG emissions.
By tracking and reporting their emissions, organizations are more likely to take action to reduce them.
In addition to these benefits, the GHG Protocol can also help organizations to:
Identify and Reduce Costs
Measuring and reporting GHG emissions can help organizations to identify areas where they can reduce energy consumption and other costs.
Improve Operational Efficiency
By tracking their GHG emissions, organizations can identify areas where they can improve their operational efficiency. This can lead to reduced costs and improved environmental performance.
Enhance Brand Reputation
Consumers and investors are increasingly looking to support organizations that are committed to reducing their environmental impact.
Using the GHG Protocol can help organizations to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.
How To Use The GHG Protocol
The first step in using the GHG Protocol is to identify the scope of your organization’s emissions. This will determine which data you need to collect and how you need to calculate your emissions.
Once you have identified the scope of your emissions, you can start collecting data. The GHG Protocol provides a number of tools and resources to help you with this process.
Once you have collected your data, you can use the GHG Protocol to calculate your emissions. The GHG Protocol provides a number of calculation methods for different types of emissions.
Finally, you can use the GHG Protocol to report your emissions. The GHG Protocol provides a number of reporting templates and guidance on how to report your emissions in a transparent manner.
Case studies
Here Are A Few Examples Of How Organizations Are Using The GHG Protocol
Microsoft: Microsoft is using the GHG Protocol to measure and report its GHG emissions from its global operations. The company has set a goal of reducing its carbon footprint by 30% by 2030.
Walmart: Walmart is using the GHG Protocol to measure and report its GHG emissions from its global supply chain. The company has set a goal to reduce its Scope 3 emissions by 20% by 2030.
The City of London: The City of London is using the ghg protocol to measure and report its GHG emissions from its entire value chain. The city has set a goal to be net zero by 2050.
Conclusion
The GHG Protocol is the world’s most widely used GHG accounting standard. It provides a comprehensive framework for companies, governments, and other organizations to measure and manage their GHG emissions.
The GHG Protocol has a number of benefits for organizations that use it, including consistency, transparency, accountability, cost savings, improved operational efficiency
