TL;DR
GHG Protocol is the global standard for measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions
Developed by WRI and WBCSD, used by 97% of S&P 500 companies
Categorizes emissions into Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (purchased energy), Scope 3 (value chain)
Enables consistent reporting, regulatory compliance, and climate strategy alignment
Provides training resources and certification pathways for implementation
Benefits include operational efficiency, ESG performance, and risk management
What is the GHG Protocol?
The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol is the global standard for GHG accounting and reporting. Developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the protocol provides organizations with a systematic framework to measure and manage their carbon emissions.
This framework is not only essential for internal sustainability performance but also critical for external reporting and regulatory compliance. It enables businesses to quantify their climate impact, communicate it transparently, and align with leading sustainability frameworks. As climate disclosure becomes the norm, the GHG Protocol is the go-to tool for ensuring consistency, traceability, and comparability across sectors and borders.
Whether you're a multinational corporation, a city government, or a small business, the GHG Protocol gives you the structure and credibility to track emissions, identify reductions, and integrate carbon strategy into core decision-making.
Why the GHG Protocol matters
Greenhouse gas emissions are a key driver of climate change, yet tracking them effectively has long been a challenge. Before the GHG Protocol, there was no unified system for accounting and reporting emissions, leading to fragmented data and limited comparability across organizations.
The GHG Protocol addressed this gap by establishing a universal, science-aligned standard that enables organizations to disclose emissions consistently and credibly. It plays a foundational role in climate governance, helping organizations build trust with stakeholders, respond to investor expectations, and align with frameworks such as CDP, TCFD, and SBTi.
Its influence spans corporate reporting, public policy, and the financial sector, underpinning emissions disclosures, climate risk assessments, and sustainable investment strategies.
The GHG Protocol framework: Scope 1-2-3 explained
A key strength of the GHG Protocol is its structured breakdown of emissions into three scopes, offering organizations a clear and comprehensive way to map their climate impact.
Scope 1 includes direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, such as fuel combustion or company vehicles.
Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from purchased electricity, heating, or cooling.
Scope 3 addresses all other indirect emissions across the value chain, from raw materials and transport to product use and disposal.
Scope 1 and 2 are often the first focus areas for companies due to regulatory and operational relevance. However, scope 3 typically accounts for the largest share of total emissions, making it critical for companies committed to full climate transparency. While scope 1 and 2 disclosures are often mandatory, scope 3 reporting is increasingly expected by investors and regulators looking for a full-picture view of an organization's environmental impact.
We therefore always advice to include scope 3 in the focus of your climate strategy. Want to know more about scope 1-2-3 emissions? Read this article.
Training and education
Implementing the GHG Protocol requires a solid understanding of emissions accounting principles, technical methodologies, and data management processes. To support organizations in this journey, the GHG Protocol offers a variety of training resources and certification pathways.
Whether you're building your first emissions inventory or refining a mature reporting system, training plays a key role in ensuring quality and consistency.
Online courses
The GHG Protocol online platform provides flexible e-learning opportunities, including self-paced modules and instructor-led sessions. These cover topics ranging from the basics of scope classification to advanced methodologies for calculating emissions across complex value chains.
Certification tracks
The WRI Corporate Standard Course is designed for professionals looking to deepen their expertise. It offers in-depth instruction on emissions boundary setting, activity data sourcing, and applying emission factors across all three scopes.
Looking for more info? Check out our knowledge article on the best sustainable frameworks and certifications.
Corporate benefits
The GHG Protocol is more than a standard: it’s a strategic enabler of climate action across sectors.
Businesses that adopt the GHG Protocol report measurable benefits across several dimensions:
Operational efficiency: Granular emissions data reveals inefficiencies and enables cost-saving opportunities through improved resource use.
Strategic value: Transparent and standardized emissions reporting strengthens ESG performance and enhances access to sustainable finance.
Risk management: Understanding your carbon footprint enables better navigation of regulatory shifts, investor expectations, and climate-related risks.
For this reason, the GHG Protocol is widely used by approximately 97% of S&P 500 companies.
Taking action to reduce your climate impact
Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining your approach, the GHG Protocol provides a clear roadmap for embedding climate accountability into your operations.
Here’s how to get started:
Familiarize yourself with the GHG Protocol standards
Conduct a comprehensive carbon assessment across all three scopes to establish a reliable emissions baseline
Invest in training to build internal knowledge and capabilities
Set targets in line with best practices like Science-Based Targets
Report transparently using frameworks aligned with the protocol (e.g., CDP, TCFD)
By following these steps, organizations can not only meet current compliance expectations but also future-proof their operations in a rapidly evolving climate landscape.
Curious to learn more about the benefits of performing a carbon assessment? Read this beginner's guide or explore our 5-step approach to carbon assessments.
Conclusion
The GHG Protocol is the foundation of modern climate accountability. Its robust, scope-based structure and global recognition make it indispensable for any organization looking to reduce emissions and report with integrity.
In a world shifting rapidly toward net-zero goals, companies that adopt the GHG Protocol position themselves as leaders in sustainability. From driving down emissions to building trust with investors and consumers, the benefits are clear.
Time for action
Want to take climate action but don’t have the time (or energy) to reinvent the wheel? No worries, you don’t have to do it alone. Our experts are here to help with CO2 measurements or other sustainability challenges. Book a free consultation or start your free trial of our Carbon Calculator, the tool that helps you measure your CO2 emissions and turn insights into action.
Looking for extra info?
Check out our FAQ guide on carbon assessment.
