Measuring and Reporting GHG Emissions

As the impacts of climate change become more apparent, it is increasingly important for individuals and organizations to take responsibility for their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this article, we will explore why measuring and reporting GHG emissions is crucial, how it can help us address climate change, and the various GHG accounting standards available.

What GHG Emissions Should An Organisation Consider?

There are three scopes of emissions an organisation needs to consider:

Scope 1: Direct emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by the organization, such as emissions from fuel combustion in boilers or vehicles.
Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, heat, or steam.
Scope 3: Indirect emissions from sources that are not owned or controlled by the organization, such as emissions from the production of purchased materials, business travel, and waste disposal.

Why Measure and Report GHG Emissions?

Identifying sources of emissions: Measuring GHG emissions can help us identify the sources of emissions and determine where we need to focus our efforts to reduce them. For example, a company that measures its emissions may find that the majority of its emissions come from its supply chain, prompting it to work with suppliers to reduce their emissions.
Setting reduction targets: Once we know where our emissions are coming from, we can set reduction targets and develop strategies to achieve them. Measuring and reporting GHG emissions allows us to track our progress towards these targets and adjust our strategies as needed.
Meeting regulatory requirements: In many countries, organizations are required to report their GHG emissions. By measuring and reporting their emissions, organizations can comply with these regulations and avoid penalties.
Demonstrating leadership: Measuring and reporting GHG emissions can also demonstrate leadership and a commitment to addressing climate change. This can be especially important for businesses, as consumers and investors increasingly expect companies to take action on climate change.

GHG Emissions Accounting Standards

Various GHG accounting standards are available to guide organizations on how to measure and report their GHG emissions. These standards provide guidelines on how to quantify and report emissions, which can help ensure consistency and accuracy across different organizations.

The most widely recognized GHG accounting standard is the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which was developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). The Greenhouse Gas Protocol provides guidelines for quantifying and reporting GHG emissions across the three scopes mentioned earlier.

Another commonly used GHG accounting standard is ISO 14064, which provides guidelines for quantifying, monitoring, and reporting GHG emissions and removals. The ISO 14064 standard also includes guidance on verifying GHG reports to increase transparency and credibility.

How to Measure GHG Emissions

Measuring GHG emissions can be a complex process, as it requires gathering data from a variety of sources and calculating emissions across different scopes.

To measure GHG emissions, organizations can use a variety of methods, including:

Activity data methods: These methods use data on activities such as fuel consumption or electricity usage to calculate emissions.
Emission factor methods: These methods use emission factors to calculate emissions based on the type and amount of fuel consumed.
Mass balance methods: These methods measure the inputs and outputs of a system, such as a factory, to calculate emissions.

The data gathered from measuring GHG emissions can be reported in a variety of formats, including GHG inventories and sustainability reports.

Conclusion

Measuring and reporting GHG emissions is crucial to addressing climate change and creating a more sustainable future. By identifying sources of emissions, setting reduction targets, and demonstrating leadership, organizations can take action to reduce their impact on the environment. GHG accounting standards such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and ISO 14064 can provide guidance on how to measure and report emissions, ensuring consistency and accuracy across different organizations. While measuring GHG emissions can be a complex process, it is a necessary step towards creating a more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.

Figure: A pie chart showing the breakdown of global GHG emissions by sector, including electricity and heat production, agriculture, transportation, industry, and buildings.

Table: An example of a GHG emissions inventory, including data on Scope 1, Scope 2,

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What GHG Emissions Should An Organisation Consider?

There are three scopes of emissions an organisation needs to consider:

Scope 1: Direct emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by the organization, such as emissions from fuel combustion in boilers or vehicles.

Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, heat, or steam.

Scope 3: Indirect emissions from sources that are not owned or controlled by the organization, such as emissions from the production of purchased materials, business travel, and waste disposal.

Why Measure and Report GHG Emissions?

Identifying sources of emissions: Measuring GHG emissions can help us identify the sources of emissions and determine where we need to focus our efforts to reduce them. For example, a company that measures its emissions may find that the majority of its emissions come from its supply chain, prompting it to work with suppliers to reduce their emissions.

Setting reduction targets: Once we know where our emissions are coming from, we can set reduction targets and develop strategies to achieve them. Measuring and reporting GHG emissions allows us to track our progress towards these targets and adjust our strategies as needed.

Meeting regulatory requirements: In many countries, organizations are required to report their GHG emissions. By measuring and reporting their emissions, organizations can comply with these regulations and avoid penalties.

Demonstrating leadership: Measuring and reporting GHG emissions can also demonstrate leadership and a commitment to addressing climate change. This can be especially important for businesses, as consumers and investors increasingly expect companies to take action on climate change.

GHG Emissions Accounting Standards

How to Measure GHG Emissions

Measuring GHG emissions can be a complex process, as it requires gathering data from a variety of sources and calculating emissions across different scopes.

To measure GHG emissions, organizations can use a variety of methods, including:

Activity data methods: These methods use data on activities such as fuel consumption or electricity usage to calculate emissions.

Emission factor methods: These methods use emission factors to calculate emissions based on the type and amount of fuel consumed.

Mass balance methods: These methods measure the inputs and outputs of a system, such as a factory, to calculate emissions.

The data gathered from measuring GHG emissions can be reported in a variety of formats, including GHG inventories and sustainability reports.

Conclusion

Figure: A pie chart showing the breakdown of global GHG emissions by sector, including electricity and heat production, agriculture, transportation, industry, and buildings.

Table: An example of a GHG emissions inventory, including data on Scope 1, Scope 2,