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Definition

GHG Protocol Corporate Standard

The GHG Protocol Corporate Standard defines the minimum accounting and public-reporting requirements for a company-wide greenhouse gas inventory, including boundaries, Scope 1 and Scope 2 totals, methods, and exclusions.

What is the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard?

The Corporate Standard is GHG Protocol's 2004 company-inventory standard. It does not set product-footprint or project-credit calculations, certify companies, or receive submissions. If a request only says “GHG Protocol,” use Keslio's GHG Protocol guide to identify the document expected.

Why does the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard matter to you?

A buyer, investor, or reporting rule may request an inventory under this standard. Before calling a public report “in accordance,” verify every applicable “shall” statement, including Chapter 9.

How does the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard work?

Apply Chapter 1's five tests: relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency and accuracy. Use one Chapter 3 approach to combine the group's emissions at every level. Chapter 9 requires the reporting period and boundaries, gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 totals independent of allowance or offset trades, the base year and recalculations, calculation methods, and exclusions. Scope 3 information is optional.

What mistakes should you avoid?

  • Treating a customer's word “aligned” as permission to make an “in accordance” claim without checking the standard's mandatory statements.
  • Using equity share for selected operations and operational control for others instead of applying one consolidation policy throughout the group.
  • Subtracting allowances or offsets from the gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 totals required in the public report.
  • Assuming the standard itself creates a filing duty or issues a certificate.

Is the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard mandatory?

Not by itself. A law, exchange rule, customer request, or contract can require it. Confirm the dated standard and any extra instructions before stating compliance.

Does the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard require Scope 3?

No. Chapter 9 makes Scope 3 information optional. AASB S2 adds Scope 3 for covered Australian reporters, but paragraph C4 lets first-time reporters omit it in their first annual reporting period.

Where it comes up

GHG Protocol Corporate Standard Chapter 9 minimum contents for an in-accordance public reportGHG Protocol Corporate Standard, 2004 Revised Edition, Chapter 9, Required information (checked 2026-08-20)Official sourceAASB S2 measurement under the 2004 Corporate Standard and additional Scope 3 disclosureAASB S2 paragraphs 29(a)(i)(3), 29(a)(ii), B23-B25 and C4 (December 2025 compilation; checked 2026-08-20)

Related terms

GHG Protocol

The GHG Protocol is a suite of standards for deciding which greenhouse gas emissions belong in a company inventory, classifying them as Scope 1, 2 or 3, calculating them, and reporting the methods and boundaries used.

GHG inventory

A GHG inventory is a dated record that fixes an organisation's boundary, lists its emissions sources and calculations, separates Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 totals, and documents methods, exclusions and supporting files.

GHG organizational boundary (equity share vs control)

A GHG organizational boundary sets which subsidiaries, sites, joint ventures, and other operations enter your inventory, using equity share, financial control, or operational control as the consolidation approach.

GHG accounting principles

GHG accounting principles require an inventory to be relevant, complete, consistent, transparent, and accurate so its boundary, methods, exclusions, and results can support decisions and withstand review.

Carbon Accounting

Carbon accounting is the process of defining a company’s greenhouse gas inventory, collecting activity data, applying emission factors, and reporting Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions on a consistent basis.

Sources

  • GHG Protocol

    The 2004 Revised Edition, the meaning of “shall,” consistent group consolidation, and Chapter 9 required and optional public-report information

    2026-08-20

  • Australian Accounting Standards Board

    Paragraph 29(a)(i)(3), 29(a)(ii), and B23-B25 cover Scope 3 disclosure, use of the Corporate Standard, and permitted exceptions; paragraph C4 permits first-year Scope 3 relief

    2026-08-20

Last verified 2026-08-20

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GHG Protocol Corporate Standard Definition | Keslio