Amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted as a result of the organization's operations during the reporting period.
Organizations should footnote all assumptions used, including detailed information on their calculation methodology and source of data. See usage guidance for further information.
This metric is intended to capture the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted during the reporting period. To disaggregate by scope (that is, source) of greenhouse gas emissions, organizations are encouraged to report Greenhouse Gas Emissions Scopes (OI5732), which allows for disaggregation by GHG Protocol Scopes 1–3. For tools that may be helpful in calculating this and related metrics, see GHG Protocol Calculators (https://ghgprotocol.org/calculation-tools).
Organizations can also report Greenhouse Gas Emissions Strategy (OI8237). This metric should include emissions from both direct and indirect sources.
In some contexts, this metric can serve as an indicator of whether the outcome being sought by an investor or organization is occurring (the WHAT dimension of impact). For more on the alignment of IRIS metrics to the five dimensions of impact, see IRIS+ and the Five Dimensions of Impact (https://iris.thegiin.org/document/iris-and-the-five-dimensions/). No single metric is sufficient to understand an impact; rather, metrics are selected as a set across all dimensions of impact. When possible, the selection of metrics to measure and describe the five dimensions should be based on best practice and evidence.
This metric has 2 related submetrics.
Metrics identified as "cross-category" are those that are relevant to any IRIS+ Impact Category or Impact Theme (i.e., these metrics are not specific to any particular industry/category or theme).
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Total (OI1479) is required for Joint Impact Indicator: GHG Emissions.
JII definition: Amount of GHG emissions emitted during the reporting period, measured in tons. Project-level emissions information provided by client can be used to calculate derivative indicators (e.g. emissions savings/reduction/avoidance) according to the most relevant methodology.
JII unit of measurement: t (CO2e)
June 2022 - IRIS v5.3 Released (current version)
Immaterial change. Minor revisions to definition and usage guidance for clarity.
May 2021 - IRIS v5.2 Released
Immaterial change. Minor revision to usage guidance for clarity.
January 2020 - IRIS v5.1 Released
Immaterial change. Edited definition, usage guidance, and tagging.
May 2019 - IRIS v5.0 Released
No change.
March 2016 - IRIS v4.0 Released
Immaterial change. Minor revision to metric reporting format for clarity.
March 2014 - IRIS v3.0 Released
Immaterial change. Minor revision to metric name and definition language for clarity.
November 2011 - IRIS v2.2 Released
No change.
February 2011 - IRIS v2.1 Released
No change.
September 2010 - IRIS v2.0 Released
Immaterial change. IRIS ID changed due to framework upgrade. Minor revision to definition language for clarity.
September 2009 - IRIS v1.0 Released
New metric. Greenhouse Gas Emissions (OEN38) was developed via the Original IRIS Working Group.
IRIS Metrics Work Better in Sets
To use IRIS metrics—and the resulting data—to understand impact performance, IRIS metrics should be used and analyzed in generally accepted sets and according to well-defined objectives. IRIS+ gives you access to generally accepted Core Metrics Sets aligned to common Impact Themes and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).