Environmental reporting: Preparing a greenhouse gas report

Defra, in partnership with the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), have published guidance for UK businesses and organisations on how to measure and report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This includes a main guidance document and a shorter guidance document for small businesses:

The guidance explains how businesses and organisations can measure and report their GHG emissions as well as set targets to reduce them. The guidance is aimed at all sizes of business as well as public and third sector organisations.

The guidance is part of the Government’s implementation of the Climate Change Act 2008.  This guidance does not require organisations to submit reports or make data available to Government rather it aims to help organisations report their emissions in a way that is accessible to stakeholders.

The Guidance is based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol: Corporate Standard, which is the internationally recognised standard for corporate accounting and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the World Resources Institute/World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Businesses and organisations may already have data on fuel usage from transportation and utility bills from electricity suppliers and will need to convert this information into CO2 equivalents. To do this, you will need to refer to Defra / DECC’s Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors.

Other useful links

Page last modified: 30 September 2009
Page published: 21 June 2007