Summary
Details
- Global
The PACT methodology can be adopted by any company that has an interest in calculating, sharing or acting on product-level emissions data across its value chain.
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Background
The PACT Methodology is a product-level carbon accounting and data-exchange standard developed by the Partnership for Carbon Transparency (PACT) under the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Launched in 2020 and evolving from the earlier Pathfinder Framework, it was created to overcome the longstanding challenge of fragmented Scope 3 emissions data by enabling comparable, granular, supplier-specific Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) across industries. PACT brings together companies and solution providers to create a global, interoperable methodology aligned with ISO, GHG Protocol and other standard frameworks, helping organisations take credible climate action based on robust, verifiable cradle-to-gate emissions data.
Reporting Requirements
To meet PACT Methodology expectations, companies must produce and share product carbon footprint (PCF) information in a way that is consistent, transparent and interoperable across value chains. This ensures that emissions data—especially for Scope 3 and cradle-to-gate impacts—is credible and usable for decision-making by buyers, suppliers and other stakeholders. The main elements of these reporting requirements are:
Standardised PCF Calculation: Calculate cradle-to-gate Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) using the PACT Methodology, ensuring alignment with established lifecycle and GHG standards.
Primary & Transparent Data: Report PCF data with granular, supplier-specific primary data and transparent indicators of data reliability and quality.
Consistent Boundaries & Rules: Apply clear and consistent system boundaries (e.g., material acquisition through production) and allocation rules to ensure comparability.
Interoperable Exchange Format: Use the PACT data model and exchange protocol (standard open schema/API) for interoperable sharing of PCF data with trading partners.
Verification & Assurance: Ensure PCF data or calculation models are subject to verification or assurance practices to enhance credibility and trust across value chains.
Current status
PACT has rapidly scaled into one of the most widely adopted approaches for PCF calculation and exchange: 5,000+ companies use PACT-conformant methods and the network has supported millions of PCFs to date, with over 48 software solution providers implementing PACT Technical Specifications for interoperable data exchange. The Version 3 Methodology, released in April 2025 after extensive global consultation, increases accuracy and transparency, expands guidance on complex emission sources (e.g., biogenic and land-related emissions), and emphasises harmonisation with leading standards. PACT continues to foster industry collaboration, with pilot projects and governance structures advancing supplier engagement and scaling Scope 3 transparency across value chains.
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