A new carbon accounting approach backed by Exxon Mobil is creating conflict with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the GHG Protocol. While global bodies aim for a single harmonized standard for emissions reporting, the new 'Carbon Measures' initiative proposes shifting emissions liability from producers to buyers. Critics argue this shift could obscure system-level climate impacts and weaken investor confidence. The debate centers on whether to measure absolute emissions or emissions intensity, with significant implications for how high-emitting sectors like oil, gas, and cement report their environmental footprint.
