Client Alert: GHG Protocol Update Summary & Impacts

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The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol is undergoing a significant, multi-year update process that will impact how organizations account for and report their GHG emissions.  

Since the publication of the Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard in 2004, the Scope 3 Standard in 2011, and the Scope 2 Guidance in 2015, the GHG accounting landscape has evolved considerably. With the rise of mandatory climate disclosure requirements and increasing corporate net-zero commitments, these updates are designed to ensure the GHG Protocol remains a robust and credible foundation for emissions accounting.  

What’s Changing 

The GHG Protocol is revising several of its core standards and developing a new standard through multiple Technical Working groups. Below are key, high-level updates for each workstream. 

GHG Protocol Updates

Standard

Key Updates

Status

Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard

 The revisions will modernize core accounting principles and improve alignment with current disclosure expectations. First draft expected mid-2026 for public consultation.

Scope 2 Guidance

 The first draft for public consultation, released in Q4 2025 and extended deadline to Jan 31, 2026, included key updates under the market-based approach for contractual instruments including hourly matching requirements and deliverability from the same geographic electric grid. Second draft to be released for public consultation in 2026. A final version of the revised methodology is expected in 2027.

Scope 3 Standard

 The Scope 3 technical working group released its Phase 1 Progress Update on March 31, 2026, with three main revision topics:
  1. Data quality – improving transparency on data type
  2. Boundary setting – a proposed 95% inclusion threshold for required scope 3 activities, clearer exclusion rules, proposed additional Category 16 for other value chain activity emissions
  3. Investments – Clarify boundaries and calculation methods
 The first draft of the revised Scope 3 standard is expected to be released.

Actions and Market Instruments

 A new standard that introduces a new multi-statement accounting and reporting framework for organizations to report the impacts of their climate actions and use of market instruments in GHG reports. White Paper released for public consultation March 31, 2026.

Land Sector and Removals Standard

 New standard providing GHG accounting requirements on land emissions, carbon removals, including technological CO2 removals (e.g., direct air capture) and CO2 capture with geologic storage. Published February 2, 2026 and will take effect January 1, 2027.

Why This Matters 

Organizations that currently report GHG emissions, or are preparing to do so, may need to reassess their methodologies, data sources, and internal controls. These updates could impact: 

  • Reported emissions totals

  • Sustainability targets and progress tracking

  • Compliance with emerging disclosure regulations  

What Companies Should Do Now 

While final updates are still in development, organizations should begin preparing by: 

  • Reviewing current GHG inventories and methodologies  

  • Identifying reliance on market-based instruments or estimates  

  • Evaluating data collection processes, particularly for Scope 3  

  • Monitoring developments and participating in public consultations where applicable  

How We Can Help

KERAMIDA is actively tracking GHG Protocol updates and can assist with: 

  • Gap assessments and readiness evaluations  

  • Inventory recalculations and methodology updates  

  • Scope 3 data strategy and supplier engagement  

  • Alignment with regulatory and voluntary reporting frameworks  

If you have questions about how these updates may impact your organization, please contact our team.