Carbon methodologies refer to approaches, frameworks, or systems used to quantify, measure, and manage carbon emissions and removals. These methodologies are essential for organizations, governments, and individuals aiming to understand and address their carbon footprint. Several widely recognized carbon methodologies exist, each with its specific focus and applications. Here are some key carbon methodologies:

1. GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard:
   • Developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), this standard provides guidelines for businesses to measure and report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
2. ISO 14064:
   • The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14064 standard outlines principles and requirements for quantifying and reporting greenhouse gas emissions and removals at the organization level.
3. Carbon Trust Standard:
   • The Carbon Trust Standard is a certification that recognizes organizations for measuring, managing, and reducing their carbon footprint. It covers areas such as energy use, waste, water use, and travel.
4. CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project):
   • CDP is a global disclosure system that enables companies, cities, states, and regions to measure and manage their environmental impacts, including carbon emissions. It provides a platform for voluntary disclosure and benchmarking.
5. Science-Based Targets (SBTs):
   • SBTs are emission reduction targets adopted by companies to align their goals with climate science. These targets are considered “science-based” if they are consistent with the level of decarbonization required to keep global temperature increase well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
6. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol for Cities (GHG Protocol for Cities):
   • This methodology, developed by the WRI, provides a framework for cities to measure and report their GHG emissions. It helps urban areas understand their contribution to climate change and identify opportunities for mitigation.
7. Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS):
   • VCS is a voluntary carbon standard that provides a robust and credible framework for the verification and certification of carbon reduction and removal projects. It ensures that emission reductions and removals are real, additional, and verifiable.
8. The Gold Standard:
   • The Gold Standard for the Global Goals is a certification standard for carbon and development projects. It focuses on ensuring that projects not only reduce carbon emissions but also contribute to sustainable development goals.

These methodologies play a crucial role in guiding entities toward a more sustainable and low-carbon future by providing consistent and transparent ways to measure and manage carbon-related activities. Organizations often choose methodologies based on their specific goals, industry, and reporting requirements.