Greenhouse-gas accounting · Working
Avoided emissions
Also called: emissions avoided
ELI5
Estimated emissions prevented relative to a defined counterfactual, reported separately from inventory emissions.
Used in conversation
“The team needs one controlled copy of avoided emissions, with an owner and date.”
Pitch context
You will see “Avoided emissions” in sustainability reports, impact decks, climate plans and assurance materials when the discussion reaches greenhouse-gas accounting.
Why it matters: In greenhouse-gas accounting, the reporting boundary, method, period and evidence can materially change the claim.
Caution
State the reporting boundary, method, period and evidence; standards, regulation and assurance requirements vary.
Sources & evidence · 3
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- GHG Protocol — Standards and GuidanceDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- IFRS Foundation / International Sustainability Standards Board — IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 Sustainability Disclosure StandardsDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- International Organization for Standardization — ISO Net Zero Guidelines and related workSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-16