International Sustainability News
GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance Public Consultation Is Now Closed
The first GHG Protocol consultation for scope 2 closed 31 January 2026
The GHG Protocol shared a public consultation of their proposed changes to the Scope 2 Guidance, which was open until 31st January. All feedback will be analysed, with a second public consultation expected in 2026, and final publication of the new standard in 2027.
The revision of the guidance will improve the accuracy, clarity, and comparability of electricity-related emissions reporting, affecting both location-based and market-based calculation methods. Key proposed changes include hourly matching and local sourcing of Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs).
SBTi Hits Milestone: Over 10,000 Companies
Over 10,000 companies have had emission reduction targets validated by SBTi
The number of companies that have Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validated targets has reached 10,000. The SBTi validates emission reduction targets that have been set by organisations to ensure they are ambitious and aligned with the Paris Agreement to support a decarbonisation pathway to net-zero by 2050.
The milestone of companies now with validated emission reduction target reflects the growing scale of climate action globally.
For more information on aligning with the SBTi, read our energy insight here.
Gold Standard Committed to Transitioning to Align with Paris Agreement
Responding to an open letter, Gold Standard will transition to Paris-aligned Carbon Credits from 2026
The certification standard, Gold Standard, has reiterated its commitment to transition to verifying exclusively Paris-aligned carbon credits and projects. This has come after an open letter from the Project Developer Forum (PDF) outlining its concerns over “timing and subsequent operationalism” of Gold Standard’s commitment.
While PDF supports the goal of Gold Standard, it called for a delay to the rules until 2028 and that a transition route to compliance for existing projects be provided, including possible provisions for grandfathering existing projects under the new rules.
Commenting in response to the open letter, a Gold Standard spokesman told the Edie network:
"As the first major independent standard to take this step, Gold Standard is committed to leading a credible and pragmatic transition that strengthens confidence in the market and safeguards high-integrity climate projects that deliver impact for people and nature."
The spokesman also stressed the importance of carbon markets operating within the framework of the Paris agreement and its role in maintaining confidence in the integrity carbon credits and avoiding claims of greenwashing. 1st January 2026 is the transition point for Paris-Aligned methodologies set by Gold Standard.
China Sustainability Updates
China’s New Corporate Climate Reporting Standard
China releases trial document of IFRS aligned climate reporting standard
China has announced a trial document for a new sustainability reporting standard, the “Corporate Sustainable Disclosure Standard No. 1 – Climate (Trial)”. Aligned with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) climate reporting standard, the document provides guidance on the reporting on climate related risks, opportunities and impacts. The current report is voluntary but reporting requirements are expected to strengthen over time, eventually mandating climate-related disclosures for most businesses.
While the standard primarily follows the main structure of the IFRS 2 standard it features several adaptations including additional requirements to assess wider value chain activities on climate change. The Corporate Climate Reporting Standard is intended to form the framework for reporting with the further release of industry specific application guidelines planned in the future.
EU Sustainability Updates
Soy-based Biofuels Limited by EU
Limit to apply for soy-based biofuels used towards renewable energy targets
A report from the EU commission was released on 20th January, which assessed the indirect land-use change (ILUC) associated with biofuels.
Based on production area expansion criteria set out by the ILUC Delegated Regulation, soybeans are to be classified as a high ILUC-risk feedstock, with emissions from land use change related to soy farming believed to offset emissions reductions from the use of bioenergy.
As part of the Renewable Energy Directive, there is a limit on the quantity of high-ILUC fuels which can be counted towards renewable energy targets that is to gradually decrease to zero allowance by 2030.
UK Sustainability Updates
A New Direction for Water
DEFRA announces overhaul of the water industry in White Paper
The Water White Paper, released on the 20 th of January, outlines DEFRA’s action plan to reform the water system in the UK. One of the biggest changes is the new integrated water regulator who will combine the roles of the Environment Agency, Natural England, Ofwat, and Drinking Water Inspectorate.
Under this new regulator will come external checks of the water industry including an ‘MOT’ approach. This will check the suitability of the water infrastructure and improve the use of Continuous Water Quality Monitoring.
As well as tougher rules for water companies, the White Paper aims to improve efficiency is water consumption with the introduction of smart meters and requiring efficiency labels on goods such as washing machines. The reforms are supported by £104 billion of private investment over a span of 5 years.
Record Breaking 8.4 GW of Offshore Wind Secured
UK has secured bids to build new offshore wind farms at record breaking capacity
The latest UK Offshore Wind Allocation Round (AR7) secured a record-breaking capacity of 8.4GW, the equivalent to powering 12 million homes. This has included Berwick Bank in Scotland, set to be one of the largest offshore wind projects in the world (4.1GW), and the first Welsh Offshore Wind Project in over a decade, Awel y Môr.
The new projects are reportedly 40% cheaper than the cost of building and operating new gas power plants (£147 per megawatt for gas vs £90.91 per megawatt for offshore wind), a vital step in lowering energy costs. Britains electricity demand is expected to more than double by 2050, so the installation of new, clean, and cheap electricity generators is vital.