The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol was originally created as a corporate standard in the 1990s with the goal of better accounting, calculating, and allocating emissions among corporate industries. It was based on a global need to have a universal understanding of the standards and concepts surrounding climate change. The GHG Protocol was developed through the joint efforts of different environmental organizations such as the World Wild Fund, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and The Energy Research Institute, publishing the protocol’s first corporate version in 2001.

GHG Protocol: What Exactly is It?

The Greenhouse protocol (GHG) defines the typical areas of emission production in an industry’s value chain. It consists of three main areas, known as Scopes:

• Scope 1: direct emissions (fuel and refrigerants)
• Scope 2: indirect emissions (electricity) 
• Scope 3: emissions occurring from purchased goods and services, air travel, and commuting

Together, these three scopes allow us to look at a company’s emissions, calculate the overall footprint, and identify relevant areas to reduce overall emissions.

Seeking More Ways to be United in Protecting the Planet

To further strengthen the reach of the GHG Protocol’s scopes and to aid companies into making the transition, the Science Based Target Initiative was created in 2015, right before the Paris Agreement.  

During its inception, the Paris Agreement was not the first of its kind. It aimed to complement The Kyoto Protocol, another set of environmental standards that featured the same aim. While these protocols have many things in common, the difference between the two was the existence of a timeline to avoid drastic climate change. The Paris Agreement also covers all countries globally. In addition, the Paris Agreement of 2015 marked a monumental event: the international community became united in protecting the planet and addressed that climate change is real and action must take place to constantly care for our environment.

At Teleperformance, our Energy BPO Solutions drive positive change for the planet. Through our Citizen of the Planet (COTP) initiatives, we can spark a positive impact that could hopefully contribute to the greater good. By committing to the Science Based Targets Initiative and being a signatory of the Climate Pledge, we continuously take action to reduce carbon emissions and raise environmental awareness.

Learn more about our CSR vision by clicking here. Visit our COTP page to learn about how you can contribute to a better world today!