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What is ISO 14064? Greenhouse Gas Inventory Management

May 15, 2026 10 min read CeeOTech Team

ISO 14064 and the GHG Protocol: Key Differences

Two standards stand out in corporate greenhouse gas reporting: ISO 14064 and the GHG Protocol (Greenhouse Gas Protocol). Both help organisations measure and report their carbon emissions, but they serve different purposes.

GHG Protocol

Developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and WBCSD, the GHG Protocol provides a practical framework for corporate greenhouse gas inventories. The Scope 1, 2 and 3 classification originates from this standard.

The GHG Protocol:

  • Is used as a methodology guide
  • Includes various sector-specific and project-based modules
  • Forms the basis for CBAM and many voluntary reporting frameworks

ISO 14064

Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 14064 consists of three parts:

  • ISO 14064-1: Requirements and guidance for organisational greenhouse gas inventories
  • ISO 14064-2: Project-level greenhouse gas reduction and removal
  • ISO 14064-3: Requirements for verification and validation

ISO 14064 is largely compatible with the GHG Protocol methodology and additionally provides a framework for third-party verification.

Which One Should You Use?

The two are not mutually exclusive; they are usually used together. The GHG Protocol provides the methodological framework, while ISO 14064 standardises the quality assurance and verification process for reports prepared using that methodology.

CBAM compliance is based on the GHG Protocol, while accredited verification relies on ISO 14064-3.