July 19, 2023

Land Sector and Removals Guidance: Status Update

In our last update on GHG Protocol’s forthcoming Land Sector and Removals Guidance, we shared the topline themes that emerged from the feedback provided by pilot testers and review group members. Over the past few months, the Land Sector and Removals team has distilled this feedback into 11 key topics. To learn more about these topics, the updated timeline for the publication of the Land Sector and Removals Guidance and GHG Protocol’s work with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) on aligning with SBTi’s Forest, Land, and Agriculture Guidance (FLAG), read our latest blog post. 

GHG Protocol at Indigo Science and Policy Forum 

Matt Ramlow and Alejandra Bosch, of GHG Protocol’s Land Sector and Removals team, attended the Indigo Science and Policy Forum in Boston on June 6-7, where they met with stakeholders interested in accounting for land sector emissions and removals in agricultural value chains. Many attendees at the Forum had reviewed or piloted the draft Land Sector and Removals Guidance and shared some of their learnings from their pilot testing. The Forum included a deep dive session to discuss technical feedback from pilots on the draft Guidance as well as a panel discussion on how the Land Sector and Removals Guidance can support companies in tracking their progress toward climate targets for the agriculture sector. 

GHG Protocol at Land & Carbon Lab Summit 

Matt Ramlow attended the Land and Carbon Lab Summit in Brussels June on 27-29, which explored emerging data and programs that can support development of land sector GHG inventories. He represented the GHG Protocol’s Land Sector and Removals Guidance in a panel discussion on Untangling Corporate Best Practices, alongside representatives from the Accountability Framework initiative, Science Based Targets Initiative’s Forest Land and Agriculture Guidance, and Science Based Targets Network. The panel discussed how these four initiatives align on key definitions, data, boundaries and interventions needed to achieve targets for deforestation- and conversion-free supply chains, mitigating climate change and supporting natural ecosystems. For more information, please see the guidance developed by AFi, SBTi FLAG and GHG Protocol on aligning deforestation- and conversion-free supply chains and land use change emissions target setting, accounting and disclosures and the newly released science based targets for nature framework. 

New Standard from the ISSB Requires Disclosure of Scope 3 Emission 

The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) released two initial standards: General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information (IFRS S1) and Climate-related Disclosures (IFRS S2). IFRS 2 requires companies to disclose absolute gross greenhouse gas emissions generated during the reporting period, measured in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, classified as scope 1 emissions, scope 2 emissions, and scope 3 emissions. Read GHG Protocol Director Pankaj Bhatia’s statement on IFRS 2. 

United States EPA Simplified GHG Emissions Calculator   

GHG Protocol previously hosted a GHG Emissions Calculation Tool, which was posted in beta form for user testing and feedback. After conducting a review of the feedback on the beta tool, GHG Protocol found the tool was not fit for purpose and removed the tool from the GHG Protocol site. In the meantime, GHG Protocol has linked to the US EPA Simplified GHG Emissions Calculator as a simplified calculation tool to help United States-based small business and low emitter organizations estimate and inventory their annual GHG emissions. Please refer to EPA guidance for information on the conditions and processes for proper use of the tool. 

Upcoming Training from WRI on the Latest Trends in GHG Emissions 

Join World Resources Institute’s Climate Watch team on July 25 at 10 AM EDT (16:00 CEST) for an interactive training to learn how to find the latest trends in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using the Climate Watch open-source data platform. The training will provide an overview of the GHG emissions data available on Climate Watch, and attendees will learn how to use the data to glean insights and create interesting graphics. Register for the webinar here.

Welcoming New Staff to the GHG Protocol Team

Please join us in welcoming our new additions to the GHG Protocol secretariat: 

• Alexander Frantzen, Scope 3 Senior Associate, serves as the Scope 3 technical expert to develop updates and additional guidance, and oversee and maintain tools, data, and resources to help companies implement Scope 3 accounting. 
• Steve Siravo, Corporate Standard Associate, is a GHG Protocol Secondee and a Senior Manager in Deloitte’s Sustainability & ESG Services practice with experience in sustainability strategy development, climate risk management, and GHG emissions analysis. 
• Bryanna West, Administrative Specialist, provides executive support to the GHG Protocol Director and operational support across project areas. 

Seeking Applicants for Open Positions

The GHG Protocol Secretariat is looking for experienced individuals to join our team. Full position descriptions and application information can be found here: 

• Market-Based Accounting Manager 
• Research Analyst
• Senior Associate, Corporate Standard 
• Stakeholder Engagement and Project Coordinator

If you any have questions, please contact us here. If you'd like to receive GHG Protocol's newsletter and other updates via email, please subscribe here.