Is GHG Protocol Stifling Industrial Decarbonisation?

Thirty leading companies from the industrial and utilities sectors have united in the Let Green Gas Count campaign.

The campaign is demanding that the Greenhouse Gas Protocol explicitly recognises market-based instruments for renewable gases including biomethane.

A joint letter published ahead of COP30 targets the influential framework which guides the reporting of 97% of Fortune 500 companies, but currently prevents firms from claiming credit for purchasing green gas certificates.

The campaign’s timing coincides with a pledge by the Brazilian COP Presidency. The presidency aims to quadruple the production and use of renewable fuels which includes gases by 2035. For many businesses, this change could be a key factor in meeting sustainability targets.

Decarbonisation hurdles in hard-to-abate sectors

Representatives from heavy industry argue that current accounting standards are a major barrier to decarbonisation.

This is particularly true in sectors where electrification faces technical or economic constraints making alternative fuels a vital component of their environmental strategy.

Albert Kassies, Director of New Energy at Tata Steel Nederland, is a key voice in this push.

"Our company strongly believes that biomethane can play a big part in decarbonising steel and energy-intensive industries," says Albert. "Before this is the case some hurdles need to be taken down. Biomethane not being supported in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol is one of them.

"As decarbonisation projects for hard-to-abate industries are long and complex it is essential that enabling conditions for these projects are brought in place as soon as possible."

Supply chain and transport emissions impact

The call for change extends to the transport and consumer goods industries where biomethane could play a dual role.

For the heavy-duty transport sector it offers a way to cut emissions from both manufacturing operations and the vehicles that form the backbone of the supply chain.

Alignment is critical for companies looking at their end-to-end carbon footprint.

"When the GHG Protocol recognises renewable gas certificates the market for renewable gases can grow more quickly which will speed up the decarbonisation of industrial operations and heavy truck transports," explains Lars Mårtensson, Environmental Director at Volvo Trucks.

Major consumer goods manufacturers also require clearer guidance on certification schemes to support their procurement decisions.

"Where direct biomethane delivery isn't efficient, we will rely on Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin (RGGOs) to ensure traceability and credibility," comments Maria Pia De Caro, EVP of Integrated Operations at Pernod Ricard.

"Clear guidance from the GHG Protocol will be essential to scale this approach globally,"

The relationship between the market and policies

According to the International Energy Agency's 2025 Outlook for Biogas and Biomethane, despite more than 50 new policies supporting biogas uptake since 2020 only around 5% of the total potential for sustainable production is currently being used.

The European Union already recognises renewable gases such as biogas biomethane and e-methane as vital for decarbonising its economy and enhancing energy security.

Andreas Guth, Secretary General of Eurogas and coordinator of the Let Green Gas Count campaign, has called the upcoming revision "a prime opportunity to bring the Protocol up-to-date and boost investor confidence in biogas, biomethane and derivatives around the world".

The campaign, coordinated by eight organisations, including the World Biogas Association and the European Biogas Association is calling for three specific actions.

The coalition wants the GHG Protocol to issue an interim statement that acknowledges the need for robust market-based instruments.

Signatories are also demanding that the review is fast-tracked ahead of its scheduled 2028 completion date.

The campaign argues that market-based certification schemes are essential tools to verify the environmental attributes and sustainability of renewable energy sources providing procurement teams with the confidence they need to invest.