Notice
Congratulations! You've calculated your emissions—that's a major milestone in your sustainability journey. Now it's time to report those findings. Reporting your emissions isn't only about compliance; it's also about transparency, accountability, and driving real progress towards sustainability.
Why Emissions Reporting Matters
Accurate and consistent emissions reporting delivers multiple benefits for your organisation:
- Builds stakeholder trust: Transparent reporting demonstrates your commitment to sustainability and provides stakeholders with the information they need to make informed decisions.
- Meets regulatory obligations: Many jurisdictions now have mandatory reporting requirements, and voluntary reporting today may become mandatory tomorrow.
- Highlights areas for improvement: The reporting process itself often reveals opportunities for emissions reduction that may not have been apparent.
- Demonstrates sustainability commitment: Public reporting shows customers, investors, and employees that your organisation takes environmental responsibility seriously.
Choosing the Right Reporting Framework
Businesses typically report under a recognised framework. The framework you choose will depend on several factors:
- Your industry sector and its specific reporting norms
- Regulatory requirements in your jurisdiction
- Stakeholder expectations and information needs
- The complexity of your operations
Common Reporting Frameworks
Several well-established frameworks are widely used for emissions reporting:
- CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project): A global disclosure system for companies to report environmental impacts and risks.
- TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures): Focuses on climate-related financial risks and opportunities.
- GRI (Global Reporting Initiative): Provides a comprehensive sustainability reporting framework.
- SECR (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting): UK-specific requirements for large companies.
- ESRS (European Sustainability Reporting Standards): New EU standards for sustainability reporting under the CSRD.
Important Note: All of these frameworks align with or are based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which is the global standard for emissions accounting. If your calculations are already in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, you're in a strong position to adapt your data to any of these reporting frameworks.
What to Include in a Standard Emissions Report
A good emissions report should be clear, credible, and comprehensive. Here are the essential elements:
1. Emissions Breakdown by Scope
Present your emissions data organised by the three scopes:
- Scope 1: Direct emissions from sources you own or control (e.g., fuel combustion in company vehicles or facilities)
- Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, heat, or steam
- Scope 3: Other indirect emissions across your value chain (e.g., business travel, employee commuting, supply chain emissions, product use)
2. Methodology and Data Quality
Transparency about your calculation approach builds credibility:
- Emission factors used and their sources
- Data sources and collection methods
- Assumptions made and their justification
- Exclusions and the reasons for them
- Data quality assessment and any limitations
3. Emissions Reduction Measures
Describe the actions you're taking or planning to take:
- Energy efficiency improvements implemented
- Renewable energy usage and targets
- Behavioural and operational changes
- Technology investments
- Supply chain engagement initiatives
4. Intensity Metrics
Provide context by normalising emissions against relevant business metrics:
- Emissions per employee
- Emissions per unit of revenue
- Emissions per unit of production
- Emissions per square metre of floor space
These intensity metrics help stakeholders understand your emissions in the context of your business activities and make year-on-year comparisons more meaningful.
5. Progress and Targets
Demonstrate your commitment to reduction:
- Current year performance compared to baseline year
- Progress against interim targets
- Short-term reduction goals (e.g., next 1-3 years)
- Long-term reduction commitments (e.g., net-zero targets)
- Planned initiatives to achieve targets
Communicate Your Impact Effectively
Reporting is just one part of the process—sharing your results effectively is equally important. Consider your different audiences and their information needs:
Internal Communications
- Board reports with strategic implications
- Staff newsletters highlighting collective achievements
- Departmental performance metrics
- Training materials on emissions reduction
External Communications
- Website publication of your carbon footprint
- ESG reports for investors
- Sustainability sections in annual reports
- Customer-facing communications about your environmental commitments
Stakeholder Engagement
- Supplier engagement on scope 3 emissions
- Customer education about product carbon footprints
- Investor presentations on climate risk and opportunity
- Regulatory submissions and mandatory disclosures
Make It Easier with GreenFeet
GreenFeet can support your reporting journey with features designed to streamline the process:
- Automated report generation aligned with recognised frameworks
- Built-in alignment with GHG Protocol standards
- Clear visualisations and stakeholder-ready outputs
- Progress tracking against targets
- Scenario modelling for reduction initiatives
Whether you're reporting for the first time or refining an existing approach, GreenFeet simplifies the process, helping you focus on reducing emissions, not just reporting them.
Conclusion
Effective emissions reporting is a journey, not a destination. As you develop your reporting practices, you'll gain deeper insights into your emissions profile and identify more opportunities for reduction. The key is to start where you are, report honestly and transparently, and commit to continuous improvement.
Ready to take the next step? Book a demo today and see how we can support your sustainability goals.
Published on
July 22, 2025
