Mandatory GHG Reporting On The Horizon For UK Firms

Published: 27 May 2011

5 pages, 1 figure

Executive Summary

This report provides individuals with responsibility for sustainability accounting and reporting with a synthesis of government proposed mandatory GHG reporting options for UK firms and organizations. On May 11, 2011, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) opened a consultation on mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting for UK organizations. Large UK firms already report GHG emissions within the business review of directors’ reports, mandatory reporting under the CCA, CRC, EU ETS and voluntary reporting to the CDP. Defra has proposed one voluntary and three mandatory reporting options, aiming to drive additional GHG disclosure and meet government obligations under the Climate Change Act 2008. All proposals expand existing mandatory reporting by requiring additional Scope 1 and 2 emissions disclosure and the inclusion of GHG intensity ratios. Defra has yet to determine assurance requirements.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MANDATORY GHG REPORTING ON THE HORIZON FOR UK FIRMS
UK Firms Already Report GHG Emissions To A Plethora Of Schemes
Defra Proposes Mandatory Reporting Options For Large UK Firms
Reporting Requirements Will Expand The Scope Of GHG Accounting

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Four Regulatory Options Impact Between 1,100 and 31,000 UK Firms

COMPANIES MENTIONED

Aviva Investors, Bureau Veritas, CarbonSystems, Ernst & Young, European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies, IHS, London Stock Exchange, LRQA, PwC, The Carbon Disclosure Project, UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK Department of Energy and Climate Change, UK Environment Agency