Greenhouse Gas Inventory – the basis for your carbon footprint
A greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory accounts for all greenhouse gases a company emits or removes, over a particular time period. It categorises and quantifies gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. All of which contribute to global warming by trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
GHG inventories are crucial for climate change mitigation. Set reduction targets, monitor progress and meet reporting obligations with the data. Businesses, governments, and institutions use GHG inventories to develop strategies for reducing emissions and promoting sustainability. They therefore play a key role in addressing global climate challenges.
Companies use them for a variety of reasons: tender or client requirements (e.g. PPN 06/21 for NHS suppliers), statutory reporting such as SECR, providing information for the SBTi or CDP. Finally, GHG Inventories inform how an organisation can achieve carbon neutrality or Net Zero.
Why compile a Greenhouse Gas Inventory?
- As the foundation of all climate action, you can establish targets and track progress against them.
- The language of a Greenhouse Gas Inventory e.g. Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 is common throughout business. For instance, in pre-qualifying questionnaires, tender documents, NHS and Government documentations, carbon neutral status. As well as Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting.
- Your friendly advisor walks you through the process, classifying your business according to the requirements of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. If it’s your first Greenhouse Gas Inventory, the report forms your Base Year.
- We guide you through the process to gather data. We then produce your carbon footprint. To produce an accurate footprint and minimise the potential burden, we work flexibly with your data, however it is held in your system.
- Blue Marble calculates emissions from the data, before producing a full GHG report. The report explains what we include, and the decisions taken to develop the final result.
- Clear hotspots and potential opportunities for reduction can be found within the data. You can then use the numbers for multiple different applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will I be left alone to fill in data on a platform?
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No, we know that carbon accounting is not a day to day activity for our customers so we make it easy and clear so you can be confident in the result.
- How often do I need to do an inventory?
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Inventories almost always cover a period of 12 months. We complete them retrospectively, so it is not an estimate of what might happen, but calculation of what actually did.
- What system do you use to calculate Green House Gas Inventories?
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We use the World Resource Institute / World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WRI/WBCSD) Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, Revised Edition (2015) and Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3), Accounting and Reporting Standard (2011).
Why choose Blue Marble?
- We use technology to accurately develop reports, but this is predominantly a people-led process. We have helpful experts who explain what is being done and why.
- We use a system of a Scoping Calls, in order to reduce the number of questions we ask and make the process much easier for our customers.
- We can adjust the report to meet your specific aims, this makes it efficient and gets you what you need in as short a time as possible.
- The result is a full inventory which you can use for a wide range of purposes. Additionally, we support the report for 12 months, where you can ask for advice on elements of the report and how to use it to fulfil your needs.
Further resources
Quiz: Do you need a Carbon Reduction Plan?
Mar 12, 2025
Are you confident whether or not you are required to produce a Carbon Reduction Plan as part of your government or NHS tender? Answer a few questions to see what environmental reporting you need for a successful bid.
Architectural Aluminium Coatings (AAC) Ltd.’s Journey to Carbon Neutrality
Sep 02, 2024
A comprehensive approach to a Net Zero starts with an accurate baseline.
Phase I & II of University, Council and Government Carbon Champions Project
Sep 02, 2024
Blue Marble is pleased to announce the completion of Phase I & II of the Carbon Champions Project. We were selected as an expert consultant for the South Ayrshire Project, funded by the UK Government.
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