GHG Data
GHG Data Consulting

Getting to a Credible GHG Baseline (Scopes 1–3) Without the Headache

March 19, 2025
5 minute read
William Goodman

William Goodman

Intro

You can’t reduce what you can’t measure. A defensible GHG baseline unlocks where reductions are real, how to sequence them, and what it will cost—without grinding operations to a halt.

Standards First, Shortcuts Never

Anchor to the GHG Protocol. Document boundaries, factors, and assumptions so boards, investors, and auditors trust the numbers.

A Practical Path to Baseline

System Map & Data Gaps: Inventory activity data across finance, ops, procurement, logistics.

Factor Registry: Select transparent emission factors and record assumptions.

Calculations & QA: Replicable math, peer review, and version control.

Hotspots & Scenarios: Identify high-leverage categories and model realistic reduction options (supplier shifts, fuel switching, routing, asset upgrades).

Roadmap: Prioritize actions with indicative ROI and timelines.

Keep It Updatable

Deliver a clean workbook and factor registry so you can refresh quarterly or annually—without starting from scratch.

Beyond the Baseline

Tie reduction levers to your business model: what’s operationally feasible, who owns it, and how success will be measured.

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