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ISO and GHG Protocol: A New Era in Greenhouse Gas Accounting

On September 9, 2025, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol)—a collaboration between the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)—declared an innovative partnership aimed at establishing unified global standards for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission accounting and reporting. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the quest for more effective climate action through streamlined and harmonized standards.

The Purpose of the Partnership

The collaboration is set to harmonize existing GHG standards from both organizations, resulting in a cohesive portfolio that will feature shared branding. Key elements of this effort will be the integration of the ISO 1406X standards family with the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting standards, specifically focusing on Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions. The harmonized standards aim to facilitate a more consistent approach to emissions reporting across various industries, nations, and regulatory frameworks, allowing organizations to adopt a clearer and more universally recognized language regarding their emission disclosures.

Challenges in Effective Climate Action

Addressing climate change effectively necessitates overcoming several challenges, one of the biggest being the fragmentation of existing standards and strategies. The newly formed partnership directly responds to this issue, creating a unified framework that not only simplifies compliance for businesses but also enhances consistency for policymakers. By eliminating redundancy and streamlining processes, the ISO-GHG collaboration is poised to reduce the complexities currently faced by international organizations when it comes to measuring and reporting GHG emissions.

Geraldine Matchett, Chair of the GHG Protocol Steering Committee, emphasized the significance of this agreement by stating, "The ability to harmonize GHG accounting standards at corporate, product, and project levels is crucial. Our partnership demonstrates a commitment to minimizing complexities related to international standards and developing critical frameworks necessary for meaningful climate actions across various stakeholders."

The Advantages of Harmonization

One of the primary goals of the partnership is to merge the strengths and technical rigor of both ISO and GHG Protocol standards. With a unified set of standards in place, organizations will find it easier to navigate regulatory environments and may benefit from increased clarity and transparency in their reporting practices. Additionally, a coherent set of standards can facilitate international collaboration while also allowing companies to confidently report on their emissions, encouraging accountability and climate action.

Both ISO and GHG Protocol standards have been widely adopted and implemented by various organizations globally, supporting government policies and serving as a foundation for GHG emissions reporting across numerous sectors. Particularly, the ISO standards form the basis for laws and regulations in many countries, and GHG Protocol standards are integral to leading sustainability initiatives.

A Collaborative Approach Going Forward

To realize the objective of creating cohesive standards, technical experts from both organizations will engage in an integrated process that prioritizes user needs. This collaborative effort will ensure that the new standards not only uphold scientific integrity but also reflect practical applicability across different regions and industries.

This partnership signals the start of a new chapter in the world of carbon accounting, where businesses and governments alike can benefit from enhanced clarity and simplicity in emissions reporting. As the call for urgent climate action becomes louder, the ISO and GHG Protocol's innovative alliance may serve as a crucial stepping stone towards a sustainable, low-carbon future.

For more information about the ISO, you can visit www.iso.org, and for details about the GHG Protocol, check www.ghgprotocol.org.