With 97% of S&P 500 companies reporting in accordance with the GHG Protocol, it is the world’s most widely used greenhouse gas accounting standard and plays a central role in dictating corporate decarbonisation strategies and investment decisions. Market actors, however, lack any guidance for the use of market-based instruments, severely stalling the financial support needed for the deployment of proven decarbonisation technologies.

This failure to accommodate market-based approaches is slowing the decarbonisation of hard-to abate and hard-to-electrify sectors, by limiting their use of well-established certification systems, and of existing, interconnected gas infrastructures used for delivering clean fuels.

As we move to the next development phase for the Actions and Market Instruments (AMI) standard, the GHG Protocol now has the opportunity to allay the concerns already raised by almost 250 global organisations committed to decarbonisation and produce a standard that is workable and welcomed by producers and consumers alike.

The joint letter urges the GHG Protocol to guarantee the recognition of contractual purchases in a manner that aligns with existing best practices and ensures interoperability with established regulatory and voluntary markets. The recognition and valorisation of the climate and environmental benefits of renewable gaseous fuels should also be a core element of the framework, through an impact statement that enables transparent reporting based on life cycle assessment.

A misaligned framework risks holding back the purchase of renewable gas and undermining investment in technologies that are fundamental for achieving net zero. Industry leaders stand ready to engage with the GHG Protocol during this next phase of development and maximise the acceptance and relevance of the upcoming standard.

CLICK TO READ THE JOINT LETTER

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Notes to editors:

About the campaign: The “Let Green Gas Count” campaign was initiated when the World Biogas Association, UK Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association, Eurogas, the European Biogas Association, and the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas issued a joint letter to members of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol governance bodies, calling for the key role of market-based instruments for renewable gaseous fuels to be recognised in the Protocol’s Scope 1 inventory. The letter was signed by over 230 organisations within the green gas community.

Let Green Gas Count campaign partners: Coordinators: World Biogas Association, the UK Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA), European Biogas Association, Eurogas, the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas,  American Biogas Council, Molecule Group and e-NG Coalition

About the Greenhouse Gas Protocol: The GHG Protocol is the world’s leading standard for measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions. Widely used by businesses, governments, and organisations globally, it provides a framework for tracking, reporting and reducing emissions. Its influence shapes corporate climate strategies and drives accountability in emission reduction efforts.