In the fight against climate change, carbon footprint standards are fundamental for measuring, managing, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This article explores their importance, evolution, and the benefits they offer to organizations committed to sustainability.

Why are carbon footprint standards important?

Reducing GHG emissions is essential to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. International carbon footprint standards provide a clear framework for:

• Emissions management: Identifying opportunities for energy efficiency improvement.
• Transparent reporting: Ensuring the comparability of GHG data globally.
• Regulatory compliance: Aligning with environmental regulations and demonstrating commitment to sustainability.
• Transition towards a low-carbon economy: Reducing costs and strengthening corporate credibility in sustainability.

History of Carbon Footprint Standards

International GHG accounting standards emerged in response to growing concern about climate change.

• Organizations like ISO and WRI, in collaboration with WBCSD, led the development of standards such as:

• GHG Protocol
• ISO 14064-1:2019

• These standards promote transparency in sustainability and facilitate carbon reporting in supply chains, supporting the transition to sustainable business practices.

Key Standards for GHG Management

ISO 14064-1:2019: Management at the Organizational Level

• Overview: Defines specifications for quantifying and reporting carbon emissions.
• Key Principles: Relevance, completeness, consistency, accuracy, and transparency.
• Benefits: Strengthens corporate environmental management, enhances credibility, and ensures environmental regulatory compliance.

ISO 14067:2018: Carbon Footprint of Products

• Applies life cycle assessment (LCA) to measure the footprint of products.
• Promotes transparency and independent verification, fostering a low-carbon economy.
• Helps identify reduction opportunities in the value chain.

GHG Protocol: Fundamental Tool

• Widely accepted for reporting emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3.
• Allows for a comprehensive approach to carbon reporting in supply chains, fostering data comparability and reduction strategies.

ISO 14083:2023: Emissions in Transport and Logistics

• Standardizes the measurement of emissions across all transport operations.
• Helps companies optimize operations, reduce environmental impact, and advance sustainability goals.

ISO 14068: Carbon Neutrality

• Offers guidelines for achieving carbon neutrality, integrating emission reduction and offsetting.
• Benefits: Market differentiation, regulatory compliance, and strengthening of corporate environmental management.

Integrating sustainability into your strategies can make a difference. Having tools, like airCO2, that simplify this path brings you closer to carbon neutrality and a more responsible future.