Launch of the Proto-Standard for Carbon Accounting

The E-ledgers Institute announced the release of an updated version of our Proto-Standard for product-level emissions accounting and auditing using the E-liability method in September 2025. This innovative approach aims to transform how we account for emissions by tracking the cradle-to-gate emissions embedded in products and services as they move through the economy.

The E-liability method draws on trusted financial accounting principles to provide a dynamic, transaction-based system that enables real-time decision-making to drive energy efficiency. By adopting this method, entities can transfer the emissions embedded in their outputs to customers or beneficiaries, helping build a more transparent and accountable supply chain.

Key updates in version 2: Expanded implementation guidance and explanatory notes on electricity emissions, employee-related emissions, arms-length and related-party transactions, and financed emissions, as well as enhancements to the E-ledgers framework from recent publications. These additions were developed in response to thoughtful comments from numerous stakeholders, particularly corporate managers and auditors at the frontier of implementation.

The standard is a free-to-use resource intended to harmonize global emissions-accounting efforts and ensure robust, interoperable systems for applications like Carbon Border Assessments that can adapt to jurisdictional and sectoral needs.

In parallel with our E-liability Proto-Standard, we are actively developing Version 1 of the Proto-Standard for E-assets. This forthcoming draft applies the E-ledgers method to different carbon removal technologies, establishing criteria under which verified removals (“E-assets”) can legitimately offset E-liabilities. The work is being supported by the insights and expertise of the E-asset Technical Working Group.