Global call for clarity on the role of market instruments for green gases in GHG Protocol
Following the withdrawal of guidance on the use of biomethane aka renewable natural gas (RNG) certificates in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol), over 144 companies and trade associations from around the world have issued a public joint letter to the governance bodies of the GHG Protocol calling for the key role of market-based instruments to be recognized in the Protocol’s Scope 1 inventory.
The message from the stakeholders to the GHG Protocol is simple: Let Green Gas Count.
The GHG Protocol is the world’s leading standard for measuring and managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Widely used by businesses, governments, and organizations globally, it provides a framework for tracking, reporting, and reducing emissions.
Its influence shapes corporate climate strategies and drives accountability in emission reduction efforts.
Urgent need for a climate reporting framework
Jointly led by the UK’s Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA), the US’s Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition), Eurogas, the European Biogas Association (EBA), and the World Biogas Association (WBA), the over 144 signatories represent economic operators globally responsible for the production, trading, and consumption of renewable gaseous fuels and their derivatives.
They underline the urgent need for a climate reporting framework that provides rules and certainty for investment in their sectors.
Renewable gases and their derivatives are necessary to decarbonize industry, transport, and buildings.
To facilitate their rapid deployment, a market-based approach is required to overcome any economic, technical, and environmental barriers and inefficiencies arising from the requirement of a physical (local) connection.
As the Corporate Standard of the GHG Protocol is being revised, the signatories urge its governance bodies to include such an approach in the Scope 1 inventory, for both fuel and feedstock applications.
Additionally, the signatories appeal to the governing bodies to issue an interim statement in the first half of 2025, confirming that robust market instruments for renewable gases will be recognized at the end of the Corporate Standard revision process to support the decarbonization of industries.
This would provide stakeholders with clarity and confidence, as the development of revised standards can take several years.
Biomethane delivers significant GHG emissions reductions—24 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2eq) in the EU in 2023. Corporate consumers know this and now demand clear GHG Protocol guidance on biomethane certificates to recognize biomethane’s climate performance, said Anthony Lorin, Senior Policy Analyst at the European Biogas Association.
What's Your Reaction?
