Greenhouse gas emissions reporting to become mandatory for more UK businesses? (authored by Sophie Dicks)

Call for Evidence: reporting on Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions 

On 19 October 2023, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published a call for evidence on Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions reporting.

The call for evidence is welcoming views on the costs, benefits, and practicalities of reporting on Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, to inform whether the UK should endorse the International Sustainability Standards Board’s (ISSB) IFRS sustainability disclosure standards (IFRS S1 and IFRS S2). The call for evidence also welcomes opinions on the current Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) framework.

The endorsement of IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 would mean that UK listed companies, large private companies and LLPs would be required to report on their greenhouse gas emissions that fall under Scope 3 (which are emissions that occur in the company’s value chain). Under the current SECR framework, the disclosure of Scope 3 emissions is largely voluntary.

The call for evidence closes on 14 December 2023.

The Burges Salmon ESG team advises companies on their reporting requirements, if you would like to know more please get in touch with the team here ESG Lawyers | Environmental, Social and Governance | Burges Salmon (burges-salmon.com).