A new era begins in carbon accounting. ISO and the GHG Protocol have announced a strategic partnership to harmonize their existing greenhouse gas (GHG) standards portfolio and jointly develop new GHG measurement and reporting standards.
Until now, GHG standards were developed independently with different scopes and verification guidelines. The newly announced ISO–GHG Protocol partnership represents a fundamental shift toward integration and joint development. This collaboration will allow users to rely on a harmonized framework and reduce potential market confusion.
The partnership aims to accelerate decarbonization by creating a common global language for emissions accounting. The development of unified and reliable standards for terminology, measurement, and reporting offers a long-awaited solution for companies, investors, verifiers, auditors, and policymakers.
WASHINGTON DC (September 9, 2025) – The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the GHG Protocol, jointly run by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), announced a historic partnership to harmonize GHG standards and develop new emissions accounting and reporting standards together.
Under the agreement, ISO and the GHG Protocol will harmonize leading GHG standards and publish them as jointly branded international standards. The portfolio will cover the ISO 1406X standards family as well as the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting, Scope 2, and Scope 3 Standards.
Additionally, recognizing the critical importance of consistent approaches across all carbon accounting activities, the parties will collaborate on a common Product Carbon Footprint standard. This step will respond to the growing demand for detailed data along the corporate value chain and guide decarbonization decisions.
The harmonized portfolio marks a significant advancement in establishing a global common language for emissions accounting. It will simplify processes for companies, enhance consistency for policymakers, and reduce the measurement and reporting burden for all users. This agreement represents a turning point in climate standardization and aligns with G7 B7 community calls for harmonization and the ISSB’s global baseline for sustainability disclosures.
ISO Secretary-General Sergio Mujica:
“We are proud to announce this historic partnership with the GHG Protocol. Our shared vision is to create a harmonized standards portfolio that simplifies carbon accounting for stakeholders and accelerates climate action. This collaboration marks a new era in carbon accounting.”
GHG Protocol Executive Committee Chair Geraldine Matchett:
“This historic agreement combines the strengths of both organizations. Harmonizing GHG accounting standards at corporate, product, and project levels is critical. The partnership establishes a long-term user-centered collaboration and demonstrates our commitment to reducing complexity in international standards.”
One of the biggest barriers to climate action has been fragmented standards. This partnership addresses this challenge by providing a harmonized portfolio covering corporate, product, and project accounting and offers a platform for joint development of future standards.
ISO and GHG Protocol standards are widely adopted worldwide. The ISO 1406X standards family underpins many government regulations and sectoral GHG reporting and verification frameworks. GHG Protocol standards are referenced by leading sustainability and disclosure initiatives.
The integration of these standards combines technical rigor, policy validity, and practical applicability in a single framework. The partnership will accelerate global adoption, driving meaningful emission reductions.
ISSB Chair Emmanuel Faber:
“This development strengthens the globally recognized foundation for greenhouse gas accounting. Investors need consistent and comparable carbon data to make reliable capital allocation decisions.”
COP30 Senior Envoy Dan Ioschpe:
“This partnership is a critical step for climate accountability. Unified GHG reporting standards will enhance credible pathways toward net-zero goals and accelerate progress toward the Paris Agreement targets.”
Just Climate Senior Partner Clara Barby:
“Reliable data is essential for investors to allocate capital effectively for the transition to a low-carbon economy. Together, ISO and GHG Protocol can provide a credible and actionable framework for global disclosure regimes.”
ISO and GHG Protocol experts will now work together through an integrated technical process. The goal is to develop standards that meet user needs across regions and sectors and support science-based decarbonization.
ISO–GHG Protocol Partnership | Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ISO–GHG Protocol partnership?
A strategic collaboration between ISO and the GHG Protocol (WRI and WBCSD initiative) to harmonize existing voluntary GHG standards and jointly develop new reporting standards.
Why was the partnership formed?
Previously, ISO and GHG Protocol standards were developed separately, causing complexity for users. The partnership aims to provide a reliable and harmonized global “common language” to improve comparability in emissions reporting.
Expected benefits:
Reduces reporting burden
Enhances data consistency
Supports regulatory compliance
Strengthens investor confidence
Accelerates climate action through a unified standard portfolio
Scope of the partnership:
Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF)
Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)
Project-based reporting standards
Which standards will be harmonized?
ISO 1406X series
GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard
Scope 2 Guidance
Scope 3 Standard
Product Life Cycle Standard
What happens to existing standards?
They remain in effect until the new joint standards are published. The transition will be transparent and user-friendly.
Will there be content changes?
Existing strengths will be preserved, with improvements made where needed to meet market requirements.
Ongoing standard revisions:
Work will continue without interruption, integrating existing processes.
Timeline:
Corporate standards process has begun under GHG Protocol leadership. A new Joint Working Group will be established for Product Carbon Footprint.
Decision-making process:
Each organization maintains independent governance. Final decisions follow their respective approval mechanisms.
Will regulators recognize the new standards?
Yes. They will align with frameworks such as CSRD, IFRS/ISSB, and GRI.
Impact on other programs:
Harmonization is supported by observer roles from CDP, GRI, ISSB, SBTi, with ISO joining this group.
Will the new standards be free?
GHG Protocol will continue to provide free access for non-commercial use. ISO’s access model will be determined separately.
Long-term objective:
Develop new standards for corporate, product, project, and verification levels and establish a long-term collaboration mechanism for global alignment in GHG reporting.
Source:
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) & Greenhouse Gas Protocol. (2025, September 9). ISO and GHG Protocol Announce Strategic Partnership to Deliver Unified Global Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Accounting. Washington DC.