Carbon Accounting: A Comprehensive Review of Methodologies, Applications and Future Directions

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🔬研究者:Provides a structured overview of carbon accounting methodologies, useful for identifying research gaps.

🏢実務担当者:Offers a practical framework for understanding Scope 1/2/3 emissions and regulatory drivers, aiding in disclosure preparation.

🏛政策担当者:Highlights the importance of standardized carbon accounting for effective climate policy and regulation.

A. The Growing Importance of Carbon AccountingCarbon accounting has become an increasingly vital tool in the global effort to mitigate climate change and foster sustainable development [1].As environmental concerns escalate and the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, organizations across various sectors are recognizing the urgent need to understand and manage their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.This recognition stems from a growing awareness that businesses and other entities play a significant role in contributing to global warming, and therefore, have a responsibility to take action.Carbon accounting provides the framework and methodologies necessary to quantify these emissions, track their sources, and implement strategies for reduction.By adopting carbon accounting practices, organizations can gain valuable insights into their environmental performance, identify areas for improvement, and contribute to a more sustainable future.This proactive approach not only benefits the environment but also enhances an organization's reputation, strengthens stakeholder relationships, and ensures long-term resilience in a rapidly changing world.Increasing regulatory pressures and stakeholder demands are significant factors driving corporations to adopt carbon accounting practices [2].Governments worldwide are implementing stricter environmental regulations, including carbon taxes, emissions trading schemes, and mandatory reporting requirements.These regulations compel organizations to measure, disclose, and reduce their carbon emissions, creating a compliance landscape that necessitates the adoption of carbon accounting methodologies.Furthermore, stakeholders, including investors, customers, employees, and communities, are increasingly demanding transparency and accountability regarding environmental performance.Investors are incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into their investment decisions, favouring companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability.Customers are seeking out eco-friendly products and services, and employees are more likely to work for organizations that prioritize environmental responsibility.These stakeholder expectations are compelling corporations to adopt carbon accounting practices to demonstrate their commitment to reducing their environmental impact and meeting the growing demands for sustainable business practices.Carbon accounting offers organizations a structured and systematic approach to measure, manage, and ultimately reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions [3].By providing a framework for quantifying emissions across various scopes and activities, carbon accounting enables organizations to identify their primary sources of environmental impact.This understanding is crucial for developing targeted strategies to mitigate emissions, such as improving energy efficiency, adopting renewable energy sources, and optimizing supply chain operations.Moreover, carbon accounting facilitates the monitoring and tracking of emissions over time, allowing organizations to assess the effectiveness of their reduction efforts and make informed decisions for continuous improvement.This structured approach not only helps organizations achieve their sustainability goals but also enhances their operational efficiency, reduces costs, and strengthens their competitive advantage in a world increasingly focused on environmental responsibility. B. Definition and Scope of Carbon AccountingCarbon accounting is fundamentally about quantifying and managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across various scopes, including Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions [2].Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the organization, such as emissions from combustion in owned or controlled boilers, furnaces, vehicles, and processes.Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, heat, or steam consumed by the organization.Scope 3 emissions encompass all other indirect emissions that occur in the organization's value chain, including emissions from suppliers, transportation, and the use and disposal of products.By accounting for emissions across these three scopes, organizations gain a comprehensive understanding of their carbon footprint and can identify the most significant areas for reduction.

• openalex https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2025.69880first seen 2026-08-02 16:51:44