In the latest sign of progress on addressing greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries, 16 major Brazilian corporations will be implementing voluntary national program to measure and report emissions.

The partnership is formally called the Brazil Greenhouse Gas Protocol Program, and its charter members include:

• Alcoa (Aluminum)
• Anglo American (Mining & Natural Resources)
• Arcelor Mittal (Steel)
• Banco do Brasil (Finance)
• Bradesco (Finance)
• CNEC (Engineering)
• Copel (Electric Utility)
• Ford (Automotive)
• Grupo Abril (Media)
• Natura (Cosmetics)
• Nova Petroquímica (Chemicals)
• O Boticario (Cosmetics)
• Petrobrás (Petroleum)
• Sadia (Food)
• Votorantim (Manufacturing)
• WalMart Brasil (Retail)

In addition, the Brazil GHG Protocol has the support and partnership of the Brazilian Environment Ministry, the Brazilian Council for Sustainable Development, and Fundação Getúlio Vargas, along with WRI and the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

Brazil is the third country to develop a national GHG emissions program based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which was jointly developed by WRI and WBCSD. The GHG Protocol’s Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard is the leading standard for measuring and reporting corporate emissions. Building on the GHG Protocol ensures consistency with international accounting and reporting practices.

The Brazil GHG Protocol is the first program of its kind in South America, but it’s one of many similar programs that are being developed for corporations to measure their emissions using a consistent, nationally uniform standard. For instance, it bears strong similarities to Mexico’s national climate change strategy, which began three years ago, and is now a cornerstone of Mexico’s national climate change program. Less developed efforts are underway in the Philippines, India, and in China’s cement sector. These other programs are also rooted in the GHG Protocol.

Measuring to Manage is a guide to the design and implementation of GHG programs based on internationally accepted standards and methodologies. Along with the Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, it provides a framework for creating programs such as the Brazil GHG Protocol and others like it.

Funding for the Brazil GHG Protocol is being provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the British Embassy.