The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) have announced a strategic partnership to deliver unified global standards for greenhouse gas emissions accounting.
The partnership with see the ISO’s 1406X family of standards combined with the GHG Protocol’s Corporate Accounting and Reporting, Scope 2 and Scope 3 Standards to create a harmonised, co-branded portfolio of standards.
In a statement, the ISO said that the move represents a ‘major step’ towards developing a more common global language for emissions accounting, which will provide consistency for companies, regulators, and stakeholders, and reduce measurement and reporting burdens.
‘Landmark partnership’
“ISO is proud to announce this landmark partnership with GHG Protocol, which drives forward an ambition that enables co-creation, resulting in a harmonised portfolio of standards,” commented Sergio Mujica, ISO secretary general.
“Both ISO and GHG Protocol have a shared vision to efficiently advance climate action and simplify the task for all stakeholders. This is a new era for the carbon accounting landscape and both organisations are thrilled to be working together.”
Historically, the fragmented nature of standards and policies has presented a barrier to effective climate action, with this partnership, which covers corporate, product, and project-level accounting, helping to simplify reporting and provide a shared platform for future co-development.
The GHG Protocol is a joint initiative of the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
‘Historic agreement’
“We are very pleased to announce this historic agreement that leverages the respective strengths of both organisations,” added Geraldine Matchett, steering committee chair of GHG Protocol.
“Harmonising corporate, product and project-level GHG accounting standards is key. With users top of mind, this partnership establishes a new mechanism for long-term collaboration, demonstrating our commitment to reducing complexity in the field of international standards and allowing the development of the core frameworks needed to enable meaningful climate action across stakeholder groups.”
The ISO 1406X family of standards is used by governments in legislation and regulation and forms the foundation for GHG reporting and verification frameworks in many industries. GHG Protocol standards are relied upon by leading sustainability and disclosure initiatives. Read more here.
