Measuring and monitoring emissions with the purpose of reaching net zero is not easy; the complexity of gathering the data that is needed is frequently the biggest barrier to getting started.
GHG emissions are measured following the Greenhouse Gas Protocol’s ‘scoped’ approach, and net zero aligned actors should cover all three scopes. The three scopes cover:
Scope 1
Direct company owned or controlled emissions occurring at source.
Scope 2
Emissions associated with the production of energy consumed by a company.
Scope 3
Indirect emissions associated with company activities from sources not owned or controlled by a company.
The Taskforce on Climate related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) has a pillar which is focused on measuring GHG emissions.
The New Zealand External Reporting Board (XRB) has published a fact sheet to help climate reporting entities with significant emissions to get started on measuring their GHG emissions. The XRB suggests five steps to measure and report GHG emissions:
Select the organisation boundary (to help determine direct emissions) and the measurement period. A measurement period should be in alignment with a financial reporting period.
Set your operational boundary. Identify emissions associated with your operations, categorising them as direct and indirect emissions.
Collect activity data on each emissions source within the boundaries for that period.
Multiply the activity data used by the appropriate emission factor in a spreadsheet. The Ministry for the Environment publishes emission factors for common emissions sources.
Produce a GHG emissions report and get assurance. Prepare a GHG emissions report in compliance with your chosen standards (e.g. GHG Protocol or ISO 14064). Assurance provides an independent assessment of the reliability (considering completeness and accuracy) of a GHG emissions report.
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