The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol is a globally recognized tool for understanding, quantifying and managing greenhouse gas emissions. It was developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) to provide a consistent, flexible and credible framework for businesses and governments to measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol provides a single accounting platform for most greenhouse gas standards and programs around the world—from the International Organization for Standardization to climate registries—and hundreds of greenhouse gas inventories developed by individual companies. It is the most widely used international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions.

History of the GHG protocol

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol was launched in 1998 as a multi-stakeholder initiative to develop internationally recognized standards for accounting and reporting of greenhouse gases. The initiative was led by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Representatives of companies, governments and non-governmental organizations from all over the world took part in its creation.

Since its inception, the GHG Protocol has been revised and expanded to include new guidance, including accounting and reporting in business value chains (Scope 3), accounting for product life-cycle emissions, and accounting for GHGs in cities and communities.

GHG protocol standards

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol contains various standards and guidelines that are designed for specific purposes or industries. These standards include:

– Company standard: Provides companies with comprehensive guidance on quantifying and reporting greenhouse gas emissions.

– Scope 3 standard: It guides companies to include emissions in the value chain.

– Product standard: It guides companies to include emissions associated with the product's life cycle.

– A standard for cities and communities: Allows local communities and cities to account for and report their emissions.

Key Concepts of the GHG Protocol

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is based on several key principles that are essential for effective accounting and reporting of greenhouse gases. They belong here:

– Relevance: Greenhouse gas inventories must adequately reflect a company's emissions and inform user decision-making.

– Completeness: All emission sources must be included in the inventories.

– Consistency: Using consistent methodologies to enable meaningful comparisons of emissions over time.

– Transparency: Providing sufficient information to make decisions with confidence.

– Accuracy: Achieving sufficient accuracy to ensure the factual accuracy of the inventory and to minimize uncertainties.

Scope of greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions are categorized in the protocol into three ranges:

1. Range 1: Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources.

2. Range 2: Indirect emissions from the production of purchased energy.

3. Range 3: All other indirect emissions (not included in scope 2) in the value chain, including emissions in the supply and consumption stages.

This breakdown allows companies to identify their emissions and focus their efforts where they can have the greatest impact.

Advantages of using the GHG protocol

Using the protocol has many advantages:

– Trusted framework: It provides a trusted and widely accepted framework that helps ensure consistency, transparency and comparability of emissions data.

– Identification of emission sources: Helps organizations identify the most significant sources of emissions, allowing them to more effectively plan and implement strategies to reduce them.

– Building trust: It contributes to building stakeholder trust and improves the organization's environmental reputation.

Challenges and limitations

Despite its advantages, the protocol also has challenges and limitations:

– Data acquisition: Some organisations may have difficulty obtaining the necessary data, particularly for Scope 3 emissions that arise outside the organisation's direct control.

– Absence of concrete steps: The protocol does not prescribe specific steps to reduce emissions; its effectiveness depends on the commitment and actions of the organizations that use it.

The future of the GHG protocol

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of businesses and governments to address climate change. Recent updates have focused on more detailed guidance, such as Scope 3 emissions and the use of GHG data in decision-making. The Protocol is likely to continue to play a key role in the transition to a low-carbon economy, providing a clear and consistent framework for accounting and reporting of greenhouse gases, enabling informed decisions and effective action against climate change.

The GHG Protocol is an invaluable tool for organizations and governments seeking to understand and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. It provides a clear framework that promotes transparency, consistency, and efficiency in measuring and managing emissions. While it faces some challenges, its continued development and adaptation to new needs ensure its importance in the global effort to combat climate change. Spring