September 9, 2025

ISO & GHG Protocol Partner to Unify Global Emissions Standards

Summary

  • Major Partnership: The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the GHG Protocol are joining forces.
  • One Global Standard: They are creating a single set of rules for carbon accounting.
  • Simpler Reporting: This will make it much easier for companies to report their emissions.
  • More Trusted Data: The move increases the credibility and consistency of climate data worldwide.
  • Focus on Products: A new, updated standard for measuring product-level carbon footprints (PCF) is a key priority.

Description

ISO and GHG Protocol Announce Landmark Partnership to Create a Unified Global Standard for Emissions Accounting

In a historic move for global climate action, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) have announced a strategic partnership to harmonize their standards. This collaboration will create a single, globally recognized framework for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting and reporting, marking a new era of clarity and consistency in the fight against climate change.

For years, the climate action landscape has been fragmented, with companies navigating separate standards from both organizations. This partnership directly addresses that challenge by combining the technical rigor of the ISO 1406X standards with the practical, widely-adopted GHG Protocol Corporate Standards. The result will be one coherent, co-branded suite of standards that simplifies reporting, increases data credibility, and reduces the burden on all users.

A key focus of the partnership is the development of a joint product carbon footprint (PCF) standard, reflecting the growing industry demand for more granular, supply-chain-specific data to guide effective decarbonization.

This move toward transparent, detailed data aligns perfectly with our core mission at Arbor. We have always championed precise, bottom-up carbon calculations to help companies make measurable progress.

"This is exactly what our product was built for,"

said Ben Grande, Arbor's CTO.

"Unlike most carbon accounting software, we started with product-level measurements, knowing that one day these would be used to accurately measure Scope 3 emissions. This fundamental update to the GHG protocol will drastically reduce reporting risk and improve companies' ability to decarbonize strategically."

The harmonized portfolio represents a major step towards a common global language for emissions accounting, which will accelerate coordinated and effective climate action worldwide.

FAQ:

What is the ISO–GHG Protocol partnership?

It is a strategic collaboration to merge existing greenhouse gas (GHG) standards and co-develop new ones. The goal is to create a single, unified global framework for emissions accounting and reporting to support businesses in their decarbonization efforts.

Why was this partnership formed?

The partnership aims to reduce complexity and fragmentation in the GHG reporting landscape. By creating a common global language for emissions accounting, the organizations will improve the consistency and comparability of climate data, making it easier for businesses to take effective action.

What are the main benefits of this partnership?

The key benefits include simplifying the GHG accounting process, improving the credibility of reported data, and reducing reporting burdens. This alignment also supports regulatory efforts and enhances investor confidence through a stronger, more coherent verification framework.

What happens to the existing ISO and GHG Protocol standards?

Existing standards from both organizations will remain in effect until the new, co-branded standards are published. The transition will be managed through a transparent process designed to ensure compatibility and minimize disruption for all users.

Resources

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Last updated

October 9, 2025 4:46 PM

September 24, 2025

CARB Posts Preliminary List for California SB 253 and SB 261

Summary

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has published a preliminary, non-final list of companies it believes may be subject to new climate disclosure laws SB 253 and SB 261. This initial step requires all companies doing business in California to verify their status based on revenue thresholds, regardless of their inclusion on the list.

Description

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) today released a preliminary list of companies it believes may be subject to the state's landmark climate disclosure regulations, for SB 253 and SB 261.

With an estimated 4,160 companies affected, the ripple effect on their global supply chains is massive.

This publication is a significant step in the regulatory process, but CARB has emphasized that it is not a final determination.

Key Takeaways for Businesses

  • The list is preliminary. Inclusion does not guarantee a company is in scope, and exclusion does not grant an exemption.
  • Applicability depends on two criteria: Annual global revenue thresholds ($1B+ for SB 253; $500M+ for SB 261) and “doing business” in California.
  • Responsibility remains with companies. Each organization must consult with legal counsel to assess whether it meets the statutory thresholds, regardless of its presence on the list.

To develop this initial list, CARB matched business data from the California Secretary of State (SoS) with a proprietary dataset. Staff noted the SoS data was only active through March 2022 and may be missing companies.

CARB has released FAQs and held public workshops to clarify exemptions, reporting frameworks, and timelines.

All SB 253 & SB 261 Resources

Webinar:

Informational Pages:

Blogs:

About The California Air Resources Board (CARB)

CARB is the lead agency for California’s fight against climate change, and oversees all air pollution control efforts in the state to attain and maintain health-based air quality standards.

Resources

Guide

A Quick-Start Guide to California's SB 253 and SB 261

Download now

Last updated

October 16, 2025 5:22 PM