Accurately measuring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is the first step on any meaningful climate journey. The GHG Protocol, developed by the World Resources Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development in the late 1990s, is today’s most widely adopted global framework for quantifying and managing GHG emissions. By categorizing emissions and providing clear accounting standards, it transforms complex data into actionable insights, empowering organizations to set credible targets, track progress, and drive real climate action.
Who Uses the GHG Protocol
From multinationals to municipalities, a diverse array of organizations relies on the GHG Protocol to standardize their climate reporting:
| User group | Use case |
| Businesses | Corporate reporting, target setting, investor disclosures |
| Government and Cities | National inventories, policy development, urban climate planning |
| NGO and Academia | Research, sustainability programs, educational initiatives |
| Investors and Financial Firms | Risk assessment, portfolio screening |
| Suppliers and Industry Groups | Value-chain emissions tracking, sectoral benchmarking |
| Consultants & Service Providers | Emissions audits, software implementation, training programs |
How It Works: The Three Scopes
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is best known for its system of categorising GHG emissions into three scopes: Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3. This framework is now used globally to help organizations structure their carbon reporting.
- Scope 1 (Direct): Emissions from sources owned or controlled by the organization (e.g., on-site fuel combustion, company vehicles).
- Scope 2 (Energy Indirect): Emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heating, or cooling.
- Scope 3 (Value-Chain Indirect): All other upstream and downstream emissions such as supplier operations, business travel, product use, and end-of-life disposal.
Read on- Understanding Emissions
GHG Protocol Standards
The Protocol suite offers specialized guidance for every reporting need:
| Standard | Purpose |
| Corporate Standard | Builds a company-level GHG inventory (Scope 1 & 2) |
| Scope 3 standard | Measures value-chain emissions across 15 categories |
| Product Standard | Calculates life-cycle GHG impact of individual products |
| Project Protocol | Quantifies emission reductions from climate mitigation projects |
| City/Community Standard (GPC) | Accounts for city-wide or community emissions |
| Mitigation Standard | Guides design and reporting of national or local climate targets |
| Policy and Action Standard | Estimates GHG effects of policies and programmes |
Complying with the GHG Protocol
A straightforward roadmap to credible reporting:
- Select Relevant Standards: Match your goals and operational boundaries to the appropriate Protocol documents (e.g., Corporate vs. Scope 3 Standard).
- Assemble Your Inventory: Define organizational and operational boundaries, collect data across Scopes 1–3, and ensure consistency in measurement.
- Set Science-Based Targets: Use your inventory as the foundation for short- and long-term reduction goals, consider aligning with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
- Implement Reduction Strategies: Prioritize hotspot areas, such as switching to renewables for Scope 2 or engaging suppliers on Scope 3.
- Monitor & Disclose: Update your inventory regularly, publish results via CDP/GRI/TCFD, and pursue third-party assurance to reinforce transparency.
Adopting the GHG Protocol turns carbon accounting from a compliance exercise into a strategic advantage unlocking operational efficiencies, building stakeholder trust, and positioning your organization at the forefront of climate leadership.