Greenhouse gas reporting schemes

Learn about the various greenhouse gas reporting schemes popular in the market today.

A greenhouse gas reporting scheme is a framework or program established to require businesses, or countries to measure, document, and report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These schemes are designed to provide transparency, accountability, and systematic data collection about emissions of different greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide etc. The reported data helps inform climate policy, supports emission reduction strategies, and can be used for compliance with regulations or participation in emissions trading schemes.

Greenhouse gas reporting schemes vary widely in their methodologies, meaning they are often incomparable. They are also often open to subjective interpretation (or misinterpretation), leaving some of the most impactful decisions completely up to the reporter.

Overview of GHG reporting schemes

Relationship between GHG reporting and sustainability reporting

Global sustainability reporting standards

Many sustainability reporting frameworks mandate or recommend specific GHG reporting standards for emissions disclosures. For instance, if reporting to fulfill the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), entities must align with ESRS, which requires following the GHG Protocol or ISO 14064 for greenhouse gas accounting. Similarly, the Voluntary SME (VSME) standard requires mandatory Scope 1 and 2, and voluntary Scope 3 emissions reporting following the GHG Protocol. For details, see our articles on CSRD requirements and the VSME standard.

Nordic sustainability reporting standards

NSRS and Eco-Lighthouse (Miljøfyrtårn) are voluntary sustainability reporting frameworks originating in the Nordics, both in line with VSME.