Carbon Accounting
The systematic process of measuring, recording, and reporting an organisation's greenhouse gas emissions — using recognised methodologies such as GHG Protocol and IPCC emission factors.
Carbon accounting is the structured process of identifying, measuring, and documenting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from an organisation’s operations. It applies the same rigour to emissions data as financial accounting applies to monetary transactions — with source documentation, standardised methods, and auditable records.
What carbon accounting requires
A complete carbon accounting process involves: defining the organisational boundary (which entities and operations are included), identifying all emission sources within that boundary, collecting activity data (fuel consumed, electricity used), applying appropriate emission factors to convert activity data into CO2 equivalent, and producing a documented inventory with an audit trail.
Carbon accounting vs carbon reporting
Carbon accounting is the underlying measurement process. Carbon reporting is the act of disclosing the results — through BRSR, CDP, or other frameworks. Reliable reporting depends entirely on rigorous accounting. A BRSR disclosure is only as credible as the accounting methodology behind the numbers.
Compliance-grade carbon accounting
For BRSR Core assurance, carbon accounting must be compliance-grade — meaning every figure is traceable to source data, every emission factor is documented with its source and version, and the methodology is consistent year-over-year. Spreadsheet-based accounting without formal documentation does not meet this standard.