CARBON-ACCOUNTING-STANDARD

Carbon Accounting Standard GHG Protocol Scopes 1-3.

Definition

Main Carbon Accounting Standards: (1) GHG Protocol Corporate Standard 2004: reference framework for corporate GHG inventory calculation (Scope 1 + Scope 2 + Scope 3), audience corporations all sectors, ~92% Fortune 500 uses GHG Protocol. (2) GHG Protocol Scope 3 Standard 2011: detailed guidance 15 Scope 3 categories (purchased goods + services, capital goods, fuel + energy upstream, transportation + distribution upstream, waste, business travel, employee commuting, upstream leased assets, downstream transportation + distribution, processing of sold products, use of sold products, end-of-life of sold products, downstream leased assets, franchises, investments). (3) ISO 14064-1:2018: ISO equivalent corporate GHG inventory, complementary GHG Protocol. (4) ISO 14067:2018: Carbon Footprint of Products. (5) PAS 2050: UK product carbon footprint standard. (6) PCAF: financial industry Scope 3 financed emissions. (7) Sector-specific guidances: agriculture (Land Sector Removals Guidance), oil + gas, transport. Adoption: ~80% large enterprises 2024 publish GHG Scope 1+2 disclosures, ~50% Scope 3 (mandatory CSRD EU 2025+).

Origin

GHG Protocol founded 1998 by WRI + WBCSD partnership ; Corporate Standard published 2001 + revised 2004 ; Scope 3 Standard 2011 ; ISO 14064 published 2006 + revised 2018 ; PCAF financial standard 2020.

Example in context

Apple Inc. publishes its Annual Environmental Progress Report based on GHG Protocol Corporate Standard + Scope 3 Standard: Scope 1 (~0.05M tonnes CO2e direct, mostly buildings), Scope 2 (~0.05M tCO2e electricity, 100% renewable now), Scope 3 (~22M tCO2e supply chain + product use), commitment carbon neutral 2030.

Related terms

• GHG Protocol Scope 3 — detailed standard.