GHG Protocol Releases Scope 2 Survey Summary After 400-Plus Responses

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol published a draft summary of feedback from its Scope 2 Guidance survey, which received over 400 responses between November 2022 and March 2023. The findings will inform a technical working group tasked with revising the Scope 2 Guidance and related standards.

The Scope 2 Guidance survey, one of four conducted by GHG Protocol over the November 2022 to March 2023 period, generated over 400 responses from companies, financial institutions, NGOs and standard-setters. A draft summary published in mid-2023 identifies common themes, supplemented by over 70 proposal submissions specifically related to scope 2 accounting. GHG Protocol opened a review period until Friday, 8 September, for survey participants to verify their feedback was accurately represented before a final report is released.

Scope 2 accounting, which covers purchased electricity and energy, is among the most contested areas of corporate GHG reporting due to the divergence between location-based and market-based methods. The survey feedback is expected to shape significant revisions including clarification of criteria for renewable energy certificates and other market instruments. As Indian companies increasingly procure renewable power through open access and group captive arrangements, the outcome of the GHG Protocol's scope 2 review will directly affect how they account for and disclose clean energy purchases.

In parallel with the survey process, GHG Protocol is finalising a new governance structure featuring a Steering Committee, an Independent Standards Board and standard-specific Technical Working Groups. The new bodies were expected to be constituted by end of Q2 2024. GHG Protocol is also reviewing the Corporate Standard, Scope 3 Standard and market-based accounting surveys, with summaries and webinars on topline findings from each survey to follow the Scope 2 summary.

Key figure — 400+ responses received to the GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance survey