Press Release: Carbon Accounting Alliance Official Launch
The Carbon Accounting Alliance calls for sector standardisation and regulation to support the transition to net zero
21 November 2023: The Carbon Accounting Alliance (CAA) has been launched to encourage greater oversight and professionalisation of carbon accounting to accelerate the effectiveness of the industry. Founded by Planet Mark and ClimatePartner, this first of its kind organisation represents 35+ software companies, consultancies, auditors and certifying bodies collectively measuring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for 23,000+ organisations, with more than 587 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) measured and more than 6 million tCO2e reductions achieved from baselines.
Despite important strides in standardising approaches for measuring GHG emissions, the CAA recognises that the GHG Protocol, science-based targets, ISO and PAS standards still leave room for interpretation when it comes to certain methodologies, rules and emission factor database choices. The Alliance also recognises the need for formal qualifications to be required across jurisdictions to professionalise and create consistency in carbon accounting services provided.
The CAA aims to improve support for the global net zero transition through a commitment to actively engage industry, policy makers, regulators and other international bodies, as well as collaborating and sharing learnings between companies operating in the carbon accounting industry. This includes a call to action for organisations worldwide to use the tools of carbon accounting to drive transition plans and direct emission reductions. CAA Members recognise that measurement and reporting alone will not solve the climate crisis; it must be coupled with meaningful action.
In addition to this, the Alliance will campaign on ensuring carbon accounting is a key feature of governments’ green skills and jobs policies to meet growing demands for the sector’s services. Most recently, the CAA has engaged the UK government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), asking to set a policy-driven timeline and deadline for businesses to report at least Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions on an annual basis to deliver emissions transparency. To support this, the CAA is calling for mandatory data sharing of energy, water and waste between commercial landlords and tenants, the lack of which is a common barrier to measurement. The Alliance is also pushing for education and training to focus on carbon accounting skills to fill crucial demand gaps from businesses for carbon emissions measurement, reductions and strategy.
CAA Membership is not bound by size or geography, so welcomes carbon accounting bodies working across the sector that are passionate about positive impact, knowledgeable and share the values of respect and openness to help accelerate the transition to a fairer, kinder and regenerative world.
Andrew Griffiths, Director of Policy & Partnerships at Planet Mark and Co-Founder of the CAA said: “I’m thrilled to announce the launch of the Carbon Accounting Alliance and to bring together leading companies across the industry to help organisations on their net zero journeys. To efficiently tackle the climate crisis, we need to work through a unified voice, and this Alliance has created a mechanism to do just that.”
Emilien Hoet, Managing Director at ClimatePartner and Co-Founder of the CAA said: “I believe that it’s collaboration, not competition, that will solve this climate crisis. After continuously advising clients to collaborate in their industry, it only seemed right that I walk the talk. My hope is that the CAA will provide the forum to share challenges and learnings, and positively influence policy, to move faster with collective impact.”
About the Carbon Accounting Alliance (https://www.carbonaccountingalliance.com)
The Carbon Accounting Alliance is a coalition of organisations who support the measurement and reporting of carbon emissions at scale. Our alliance includes software companies, consultancies, auditors, climate research organisations and certifying bodies who have come together to collaborate on solving challenges faced by our industry, to share best practice and promote the development of robust standards. Collectively we measure the GHG emissions of 23,000+ organisations, with more than 587 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) measured and more than 6 million tCO2e reductions achieved from baselines.
Media contacts
For Andrew Griffiths – Director of Policy & Partnerships at Planet Mark
Number: +447818 117 987
Email: andrew.griffiths@planetmark.com
For Emilien Hoet – Managing Director UK, ClimatePartner
Number: +447555 146 961
Email: emilien.hoet@climatepartner.com
See a list of our Founding Carbon Accounting Alliance Members below:
