We're excited to share our recent acceptance into the Carbon Accounting Alliance, an innovative initiative uniting leading figures in the carbon accounting sector. This alliance, founded on the belief that collective action is vital in combating the climate crisis, aims to foster a community of shared knowledge, collaborative intelligence, and impactful advocacy. In this blog post, we'll delve into the essence of the Carbon Accounting Alliance, the perks of membership, its primary objectives, and the remarkable collective achievements of its current members.

What is the Carbon Accounting Alliance?

The Carbon Accounting Alliance is a unique platform established to encourage alignment and cooperation within the carbon accounting realm. Embracing the philosophy of "collaboration over competition," the alliance acknowledges the critical role of industry collaboration in addressing the climate emergency. Despite significant progress in standardising approaches to measuring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, existing standards such as the GHG Protocol, ISO, and PAS still allow for interpretation variations in methodologies, rules, and emission factor database choices.

The alliance serves as an open and transparent forum where organisations can openly discuss challenges and share insights. This collective wisdom drives industry progress at an accelerated pace. Furthermore, the alliance aims to identify common barriers to carbon accounting and use its collective voice to advocate for policy changes that remove hurdles and maximise industry opportunities. The overarching vision is for the alliance to embody values of respect and transparency, contributing to hastening the transition to a fairer, kinder, and regenerative world.

Which organisations are involved?

Membership in the Carbon Accounting Alliance is open to organisations with substantial expertise in GHG accounting, offering scalable software solutions or consulting services to multiple entities. Prospective members should possess a solid grasp of the GHG Protocol and preferably other relevant standards, actively engaging with businesses on GHG accounting matters regularly. Crucially, the alliance is inclusive, not bound by geography or organisational size, welcoming members from specialised departments within larger firms whose primary focus may not be climate-related. The common thread uniting members is a dedication to positive impact, knowledge-sharing, and shared values.

What are the priorities of the alliance?

The Carbon Accounting Alliance has identified two primary priorities for its initial focus, based on rankings voted on by founding members:

1. Policy, Legislation, Standards & Funding Collective Lobbying: The alliance aims to align on policy 'asks' to collectively advocate for changes that support industry goals.

2. Definitions & Technical Alignment: Members will strive for collective alignment with existing international definitions and standards. Discussions will revolve around the appropriate use of emissions factor databases, ensuring a consistent and accurate approach across the industry.

You can read more about the priorities of the alliance in its Code of Conduct, which are members are required to sign up to.

Alliance Membership:

Currently, the alliance comprises 300+ members collectively representing at least 60,000+ company carbon footprints. This impressive assembly has measured >1BN tonnes of CO2e and accomplished 29+ million tonnes of direct emission reductions, excluding offsets. The diversity and expertise of the members position the alliance as a formidable force in the carbon accounting arena.

Joining the Carbon Accounting Alliance signifies a significant milestone for our company as we align with like-minded organisations to collectively tackle the challenges of carbon accounting. The alliance presents a unique opportunity to influence policy changes, align on technical standards, and exchange insights that will accelerate the journey to a sustainable future. We eagerly anticipate actively participating in this collaborative endeavor and driving positive change within the industry. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the climate crisis and cultivate a more sustainable and regenerative world.