What new standard did the Greenhouse Gas Protocol launch in February 2026 for companies to measure emissions and carbon removals from land use and emerging technologies?

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol, a leading developer of global greenhouse gas accounting standards, launched a crucial new framework in January 2026 to help companies more accurately measure their environmental impact. This standard, known as the Land Sector and Removals (LSR) Standard, addresses a significant gap in corporate emissions reporting by providing comprehensive accounting requirements for land use and emerging carbon removal technologies. Taking effect on January 1, 2027, it marks a pivotal step in enabling businesses to better understand and manage their contributions to climate change.

Historically, companies have lacked a consistent and credible method for accounting for emissions and removals related to land use, even though agriculture and land use change account for roughly a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. The new LSR Standard fills this void by offering detailed guidance for quantifying, reporting, and tracking land emissions, as well as both natural and technological CO2 removals. This includes innovative solutions like direct air capture and geological storage of carbon dioxide. The standard is particularly vital for companies with extensive land sector activities, such as those involved in producing or selling agricultural products, allowing them to integrate these complex impacts into their overall greenhouse gas inventories.

The development of the LSR Standard aligns with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol's overarching mission, established in 1998, to create internationally accepted standards for greenhouse gas accounting and reporting. This initiative aims to foster greater consistency and transparency in how companies track and report their climate progress, ultimately promoting a global shift towards a low-emissions economy. By providing a robust framework for an area previously considered a "blind spot" in corporate carbon accounting, the LSR Standard empowers companies to make more informed decisions and contribute more effectively to global climate goals.