ISO and the GHG Protocol Launch Strategic Partnership for Uniform Climate Standards
ISO and GHG Protocol Announce Partnership: On September 9, 2025, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) announced a groundbreaking collaboration. The goal is to harmonize their existing greenhouse gas standards and jointly develop new international standards for emissions measurement and reporting.
Why is partnership important?
Until now, there have been parallel standards:
- ISO 1406X Series: Focus on Management Systems and Certification.
- GHG Protocol: The basis for most corporate and Scope 3 emissions inventories worldwide.
These duplicate structures led to complexity, additional work, and limited comparability. The new alliance aims to establish a common language for emissions reporting in order to provide clear guidance to companies, investors, and regulatory authorities.
Key Points of the ISO & GHG Protocol Partnership
Harmonization of existing standards: ISO 14064 and the GHG Protocol Corporate Standards are being aligned.
Joint development of new standards: including, among others, for product carbon footprints and project-based emissions reductions.
Dual-Logo Standards: Standardized documents recognized by both organizations.
Greater integration into regulatory frameworks such as the ISSB, CSRD, and national climate reporting.
Benefits for Businesses and Markets
Reduced complexity: Less duplication of effort in audits and reporting.
Greater credibility: Consistent standards build trust among investors and stakeholders.
Accelerated Decarbonization: A Unified Data Set for Net-Zero Strategies.
Why are ISO and the GHG Protocol forming a partnership now?
The initiative is a response to growing pressure from governments, investors, and initiatives such as the ISSB, which are calling for a global framework for sustainability reporting. Uniform standards are intended to accelerate decarbonization, build trust, and support the implementation of climate goals such as those outlined in the Paris Agreement.
How can you prepare now?
Even though full harmonization of ISO and the GHG Protocol will take some time, companies can already take important steps today. Start by tracking your emissions at the corporate and product levels, align your processes with the core principles of both standards, and leverage digital solutions. With CONSUST’sCCF and PCF modules, you can establish a solid foundation that aligns with current market standards and makes it easier to meet future requirements. At the same time, it’s worth involving internal teams and communicating progress transparently to build trust among stakeholders.
