What are some of the common standards and methodologies for carbon footprinting data sources?

If your company is looking for a tool to calculate its Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF), it is highly recommended to select a software which follows the GHG protocol methodology and got this certified by a 3rd party. The GHG protocol is the reference method for carbon accounting.

I. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a common methodology for assessing carbon footprints, considering emissions across all stages of a product's life cycle. II. The GHG Protocol provides standardized guidelines for organizations to measure and manage greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon footprinting. III. ISO 14064 is an international standard specifying principles and requirements for quantifying and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, commonly used for carbon footprint assessments.

GHGP is pretty comprehensive in nature and focuses on almost all the aspects of ghg footprinting. They have seperate guidance for scope 1&2, Scope 3, product accounting along with some sector specific methodologies like agricultural guidance etc.

The GHG Protocol provides both standards and tools for the entities who are looking to understand and track their carbon emissions. The standards lay down the acceptable methods and approaches to measure while the tools provide the standard factors to apply to one’s inventory of inputs at each life cycle stage to compute carbon equivalent emissions.

Also, ISO 14064 series can be considered for large organisations, public sector corporations or where international funding may be involved

It is interesting to note that the UN Climate Neutral Programme recommends IDO 14064 as it top recommendation for GHG accounting, followed by the GHG Protocol

ISO 14064 serves as a widely recognized standard and methodology for carbon footprinting data sources. It provides a structured framework for organizations to quantify and manage their greenhouse gas emissions. By adhering to ISO 14064, businesses can ensure consistency, comparability, and credibility in their carbon footprint assessments. This standard encompasses principles, requirements, and guidelines for the quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions, offering a systematic approach that promotes transparency and accountability. Organizations adopting ISO 14064 can effectively measure their environmental impact, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices.

En especifico la ISO-14067 esta orientada a Huella de Carbono, es la que especifica los principios, requisitos y directrices para la cuantificación y el informe de la huella de carbono de un producto y es coherente con la normas de evaluación de ciclo de vida que son las ISO 14040 y 14044

Need to use Iso 14064:2018 version if companies want to report scope 1,2,3. . It includes requirements for the design, development, management, reporting and verification of an organization's GHG inventory

In summary, while the GHG Protocol is a broader tool with guidelines for GHG accounting, the ISO 14064 standards offer a more structured and comprehensive approach to GHG accounting, verification, and project-level activities

Adicionalmente também podem ser considerados a ISO 14067 e o GHG Product Life Cycle Standard. Ambos fornecem orienta??es para o cálculo de pegada de carbono do produtos.

The ISO 14067(accepted worldwide), unlike the PAS 2050 (although it is recognized in the U.S., Europe, and China), is internationally recognized and can be used world-wide to certify carbon footprint-measured products and services.

PAS 2050, developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI), outlines the methodology for assessing the life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of goods and services. It covers emissions from raw material extraction to disposal, including supporting activities like transport and energy use. Based on ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 principles, it helps organizations measure and compare product carbon footprints, identifying hotspots and improvement opportunities along the value chain.

I recognize the importance of PAS 2050 in our carbon footprinting efforts. Developed in the UK, PAS 2050 is a specification for assessing the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of goods and services. This standard provides a method for quantifying carbon footprints, enabling organizations to identify emissions hotspots and opportunities for reductions across their product lines. It covers various stages from raw material acquisition through to production, use, and disposal. Adopting PAS 2050 allows us to develop targeted strategies for reducing emissions, enhancing our product sustainability, and making more informed choices in our supply chain management.

PAS 2050 was introduced in 2008 (revised in 2011). The standard is widely recognised, internationally applied and provides a consistent method for assessing product life cycle GHG emissions. PAS 2050 does not set requirements for product carbon footprint external communication.

Carbon Trust Standard is a UK-based certification, like a stamp of approval for credible emissions measurement. Some of its key features are: -) Ensures consistency and reliability in carbon footprinting as it's built on GHG Protocol. -) Covers Direct emissions (Scope 1), energy-related emissions (Scope 2), and broader value chain emissions (Scope 3). -) Requires independent verification of carbon footprint data for credibility. -) Provides sector-specific guidance for businesses, helping them measure and reduce emissions effectively.

It provides a rigorous certification process that verifies an organization's efforts to measure, manage, and reduce their carbon footprint. The key its sector-specific approach.It tailors its criteria to different industries,companies across various sectors can benefit.Be it manufacturing, retail, or even hospitality, CTS provides guidelines that are applicable to each sector's unique challenges and opportunities. It doesn't just certify companies based on their current performance, but also encourages them to set ambitious targets and work towards achieving them.This ensures that organizations are constantly striving to reduce their carbon emissions.If a company wants a certification that is sector-specific,CTS is worth considering.

The Carbon Trust Standard plays a pivotal role in our environmental strategy. This standard provides a robust framework for measuring, managing, and reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. It not only helps validate the effectiveness of our existing carbon management strategies but also enhances our credibility by demonstrating real emission reductions. By achieving and maintaining certification, we signal to stakeholders our commitment to ongoing environmental improvement. The Carbon Trust Standard encourages transparency and operational excellence, which are crucial for building trust and reinforcing our leadership in sustainability initiatives.

GRI doesn't provide a methodology for GHG accounting. It only provides a framework for companies around what to report when it comes to ghg footprint.

The #GRI offers a framework for companies to report their sustainability performance, including their carbon footprint. **GRI doesn't prescribe one specific methodology but encourages flexibility based on factors like industry and company size. Here are some of the key parameters: -) Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions: GRI encourages reporting on all three scopes – direct emissions, indirect emissions from purchased energy, and broader value chain emissions. -) Data sources: GRI allows various data sources like operational data, invoices, industry averages, and modeling tools, depending on accuracy and availability. -) Verification: GRI encourages independent verification of carbon footprinting data for transparency and credibility.

I value the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards for their comprehensive approach to sustainability reporting. The GRI Standards provide a global framework for reporting on a range of economic, environmental, and social impacts. This is crucial for our organization as it allows us to communicate transparent and comparable data about our carbon footprint and other sustainability metrics. Using GRI Standards helps us align our reporting with global best practices, enhancing the credibility of our environmental initiatives and ensuring we meet stakeholder expectations for accountability and transparency in our sustainability performance.

1. **GHG Protocol:** Corporate emissions standards (scopes 1-3). 2. **ISO 14064:** Global standard for GHG quantification. 3. **WRI/WBCSD Protocol:** Sector-specific guidelines for emissions. 4. **CEN/ISO 14040:** Life cycle assessment standards. 5. **IPCC Guidelines:** National GHG inventory methodologies. 6. **PAS 2050:** Standard for life cycle emissions of products. 7. **GRI Standards:** Guidelines for environmental disclosure. These ensure consistency and comparability in carbon footprint assessments.

Adding to Ayush Jaiswal's list, 8. **GLEC:** Standard for freight transportation, logistics, and supply chain Industry. 9. **PCAF (Standard A):** Accounting and Reporting Standard for the Financial Industry. 10. **HCMI:** Methodology for hotels/resorts to calculate the carbon footprint of hotel stays and meetings. 11. **ACA:** Institutionally endorsed, global carbon management certification program for airports (based on ISO, GHG, and EMAS).

Beyond the widely recognized frameworks like the GHG Protocol, ISO 14064, and PAS 2050, it's important to consider sector-specific guidelines that may impact the granularity and relevance of the data, such as those tailored for manufacturing, agriculture, or services. Integration capabilities with existing enterprise systems for seamless data flow and reporting, ease of updating to accommodate new regulations or scientific insights, and the ability to handle Scope 3 emissions comprehensively are also critical. Finally, choosing methodologies that facilitate stakeholder engagement and transparent communication enhances the legitimacy and effectiveness of our sustainability efforts.

ISO developed net-zero guidelines under IWA 42 to assist companies in meeting SBTi's net-zero standard. The aim is a unified approach towards achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. SBTi collaborated in developing IWA 42, ensuring alignment with its targets. While separate, IWA 42 complements SBTi's standard, with SBTi's guidance emphasized where differences exist. The primary distinction lies in the choice of base year for target calculations: SBTi recommends not earlier than 2015, while ISO suggests 2018 without further explanation.

Apart from the ones mentioned, we also have a GHG Humanitarian protocol developed to be utilized in humanitarian low-resource settings. The tool provides emission factors that are compatible with humanitarian organizations and has been piloted by the likes of the Danish Refugee Council, Oxfam etc.