GHG Protocol
The most widely used framework for corporate greenhouse-gas accounting, defining scopes, boundaries and reporting rules.
The GHG Protocol sets out how an organisation should draw its inventory boundary and classify emissions. It introduced the now-standard division into Scope 1 direct emissions, Scope 2 purchased energy and Scope 3 value-chain emissions.
Its central contribution is comparability. By requiring a documented boundary, a consistent consolidation approach and disclosure of exclusions, it lets two inventories be compared without hidden differences in what was counted. Its corporate standard and product standard serve different questions, and mixing them is a common error.
For carbon markets, the protocol matters because it defines the accounting a buyer must already have in place before a credit can be described as beyond the value chain. Without a clean inventory, a claim of offsetting has no reference point.
Frequently asked questions
Does the GHG Protocol certify companies?
No. It provides accounting standards. Assurance and certification are separate processes performed by other bodies.
Is Scope 3 mandatory?
Reporting rules vary by jurisdiction. The protocol requires Scope 3 screening where relevant, and many disclosure regimes now mandate it.