Introduction
The CarbonNeutral Protocol Purpose Principles Structure of The CarbonNeutral Protocol Development of The CarbonNeutral Protocol Relationship to other initiatives Acknowledgements Definition and scope Use Disclaimer Trademark and copyright About Climate Impact Partners Awards
Core Requirements
Application of a grace period Allowances for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
Foundation: Governance Step 1: Define Step 2: Measure Step 3: Target Step 4: Reduce Step 5: Inform
Technical Specifications and Guidance
Step 1: Define
1.1 Required GHG Emissions Sources 1.2 Certification specific requirements 1.3 Corporate value chain (Scope 3) accounting and reporting 1.4 Product-type certifications 1.5 Treatment of assets rented or leased to customers of CarbonNeutral® entities
Step 2: Measure
2.1 GHG emission quantification requirements for the defined subject 2.2 GHG Emissions Assessments 2.3 Requirements for measurement of the organizational carbon footprint 2.4 Quality assurance and verification 2.5 Energy use (gas and electricity) 2.6 Aviation 2.7 How to report GHG emissions from carbon neutral services within a corporate GHG inventory 2.8 Using environmental product declarations (EPDs) for CarbonNeutral® products
Step 3: Target
3.1 Requirements for emissions reduction targets 3.2 Near-term targets 3.3 Long-term targets 3.4 Net zero targets
Step 4: Reduce
4.1 Internal abatement requirements 4.2 External compensation requirements 4.3 Recognized non-carbon accounting standards 4.4 Evaluating internal GHG reduction projects 4.5 Elaboration on additionality and baselines 4.6 The use of carbon credits generated by projects which avoid, reduce and remove GHGs 4.7 Insetting 4.8 Corresponding Adjustments (CAs)
Step 5: Inform
5.1 Required disclosures 5.2 Use of the CarbonNeutral® Certification logo 5.3 Regulations around environmental claims 5.4 Communicating CarbonNeutral® certification 5.5 Communicating 100% Renewable Electricity
Glossary of Terms
Reference Material
Attestation forms Cross-compliance Tables
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The CarbonNeutral Protocol Index

Step 2: Measure

The second step is to measure the GHG emissions of the defined subject and broader organization, to provide a complete and accurate GHG inventory over a relevant timescale.

Overview of requirements

PART 1: Measurement of the defined subject’s carbon footprint

The subject’s GHG emissions must be assessed in accordance with the requirements set out for entities, products and activities in Table 8.

PART 2: Measurement of the organizational carbon footprint

In addition to the GHG Assessment of the defined subject, an organization is required to measure, estimate or evaluate its organizational GHG inventory on an annual basis.

Guidance 2 provides additional information regarding the measurement of GHG emissions. CarbonNeutral certifiers and technical partners should also pay particular attention to the contents of Technical Specification 1.2 which provides further guidance and clarification on defining the subject for certifications.

Image: Grasslands Portfolio, United States: Carbon finance helps preserve the short grass prairie of the Great Plains using grazing animals such as native bison to naturally maintain the health of the rangeland

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