A guide for carbon footprint assessment

We’ve all heard the phrase: “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.”
But what if the tools to measure really measure were finally within reach for everyone?

In a world where climate ambition is growing but technical capacity often lags behind, especially in the Global South, the Carbon Footprint Assessment Manual from Sri Lanka’s Climate Change Secretariat is a quiet revolution.

Developed by the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, this guide doesn’t just talk about carbon it translates it. It makes the invisible visible. It transforms climate jargon into action.

And here’s the magic: it’s both rigorous and approachable.
Technical, yet rooted in real-world relevance.

What stuck with me:

• A clear, intuitive breakdown of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, brought to life with sector-specific examples that actually make sense.
• Tailored methodologies for calculating footprints at the organizational, product, and project levels—because not all emissions look the same.
• Straightforward tools for comparing cradle-to-gate vs. cradle-to-grave lifecycle assessments.
• Region-specific emission factors grounded in actual energy data no more guessing or relying on global averages that don’t fit.
• Most importantly: a replicable model for other emerging economies looking to build their own greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting frameworks from the ground up.

This isn’t just a manual. It’s a roadmap.
A how-to guide for turning ambition into architecture.

Who should take a closer look?

• Sustainability professionals just getting started with GHG accounting
• Government policymakers shaping national MRV and disclosure systems
• Businesses preparing for climate risk disclosures, certifications, or offsets
• Educators and trainers building climate literacy from the foundations

Too often, climate tools are built in silos, locked behind paywalls, or designed for audiences far removed from the daily realities of many Global South practitioners.

source:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rajashazrinshah_carbon-ugcPost-7318317957804146688-I9Zc?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAtGGkQBsxwMBmX3lEJO8btihnfBCaHqTz4