Apple, Amazon join push for looser greenhouse emissions reporting

"Advocates for the new guidance argue that the current rules make it too easy for businesses to overstate their commitments to environmentally friendly operations, such as being powered by renewable energy or making progress toward net-zero emissions."

"The joint statement argued that the proposed policies would reduce investments in sustainability programs and increase electricity prices."

"New proposed changes to the scope 2 guidance would place tighter requirements on how companies use renewable energy certificates to offset their electricity emissions."

"Rather than purchase clean energy certificates at any point during the year, companies would have to source clean energy that is both geographically close and simultaneously available to their grid-derived power."

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is contemplating changes to emissions reporting, aiming to prevent businesses from overstating their environmental commitments. Major tech companies, including Apple and Amazon, oppose these changes, arguing they could hinder sustainability investments and raise electricity costs. The protocol categorizes emissions into three scopes: Scope 1 for direct emissions, Scope 2 for emissions from purchased energy, and Scope 3 for other value chain emissions. Proposed changes to Scope 2 would require companies to source renewable energy more rigorously. New rules could be implemented as soon as next year.

Read at Engadget