Product definitions, standards, certification schemes and emission accounting frameworks

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

Several charging standards for heavy-duty trucks are under development and are likely to be adopted.

Examples and initiatives

In 2022, CharIN introduced the Megawatt Charging Standard with a maximum power rating of 3.75 MW. The standard is scheduled for adoption in 2024 in several regions globally (CHARIN, 2022). More recently, in 2023, China established the ChaoJi charging standard, which has a maximum power rating of 1.2 MW.

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

Please refer to the row on ‘Ecolabels of green products’ and ‘Product definitions, standards, certification schemes and emission accounting frameworks’ under the ‘Chemical and petrochemicals’ section for more information.

Examples and initiatives

The IMO has a life-cycle emissions analysis methodology that can be used to calculate “well-to-wake” emissions. The US Department of Energy has a publicly available model (known as GREET) to calculate the energy and emission impact of transportation fuels across their life cycle.

The IMO has proposed the development of the IMO Sustainable Fuels Certification Framework in line with its Lifecycle Analysis (LCA) guidelines. The IMO also proposes certified third-party auditors to ensure compliance.

Third-party auditors ISCC and RSB provide services to certify low-carbon marine fuels such as RFNBOs, recycled carbon fuels and biofuels.

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

Several emission accounting frameworks are in place for aviation fuels. Most of them are designed and implemented by government agencies, such as the US Renewable Fuel Standard Program, Individual Retirement Account, California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, RenovaCalc and the EU Renewable Energy Directive. In addition, CORSIA has its own emission accounting framework. These frameworks differ in how they allocate co-products, how they account for soil carbon and land use change, and how they align with global warming potentials.

The certification schemes for aviation fuels are well established in verifying compliance in both regulated and voluntary markets. However, CORSIA still needs to define the sustainability criteria for e-fuels (Agora Verkehrswende and International PtX Hub, 2024).

Examples and initiatives

Several national, regional and global carbon accounting methods exist, as listed in the previous cell. Third-party certification schemes, such as those by ISCC and RSB, are also available for verification against regulatory standards.

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

There are ongoing efforts to establish unified definitions, standards, certification schemes and emission accounting mechanisms for key industrial commodities, including steel. These can provide certainty for those governments and companies looking to purchase and trade steel with certain environmental attributes (IRENA, 2024b). Lack of harmonisation across emission measurement approaches and definitions of zero-emission steel, however, is a bottleneck in the transition to green steel products. If unaddressed, this could lead to negative economic consequences, such as increased transaction costs, uncertainity for steel buyers and potential greenwashing.

Examples and initiatives

At COP28, the IDDI released a white paper suggesting a shared set of principles for consistent greenhouse gas accounting (IRENA, 2024b).

The Internaational Organization for Standardization, ResponsibleSteel and the World Steel Association have widely used methodologies, standards and certifications for steel (IRENA, 2024b).

The Steel Standards Principles launched during COP28 aim to establish universally recognised and compatible emissions measurement methodologies for the iron and steel industry (IRENA, 2024f).

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

Standards and methodologies for ammonia and methanol are under active development. A major challenge is the significant heterogeneity in the existing emission thresholds, system boundaries and certification requirements, which complicates international trade. The EU has taken a lead in defining emission thresholds and providing methodologies for calculation and emission certification.

Examples and initiatives

Together for Sustainability is an industry-driven initiative creating standardised carbon footprints for products across chemical supply chains, covering Scope 1, Scope 2 and partial Scope 3 emissions.

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

Standardisation is crucial to create clarity and consistency in the market. There is currently no universal definition of “low-carbon cement” or “net-zero cement”. Different regions and organisations employ varying benchmarks, leading to inconsistency and confusion in international trade. Multiple certification bodies and schemes exist (like the GCCA’s roadmap and national programmes), but no global standard has been universally accepted (GCCA, 2024).

Examples and initiatives

At COP28, the Industrial Deep Decarbonisation Initiative released a white paper suggesting a shared set of principles for consistent greenhouse gas accounting (IRENA, 2024b).

GCCA’s Green Cement Technology Tracker tracks progress and methodologies for carbon reduction, aiming for global standardisation (GCCA, 2024).

The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive sets carbon intensity limits for building materials like cement (Cembureau, 2024).