URB-D.01.C - Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Progress
Does the company report progress on reducing its greenhouse gas emissions?
About the data
The WBA Urban Benchmark measures and ranks the world's most influential companies on their efforts to shape sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban environments, tracking how companies address essential urban needs while respecting planetary boundaries across dimensions including decent work and human rights, environmental and climate impacts, social inclusion, and sustainability leadership. The 2026 edition assessed 300 companies across four key industries shaping urban environments: real estate, construction and engineering, transport, and utilities. Companies were scored on 24 urban-specific indicators plus 18 core social indicators, spanning four measurement areas: sustainable governance, inclusive cities, healthy cities, and climate change and resilient cities. The benchmark is designed to incentivise the private sector to take adequate responsibility for its role in ensuring affordable, safe and inclusive urban environments for all. More information can be found here.
Methodology
Cities and urban areas account for over 70% of the world’s CO2 emissions (Dasgupta, Lall,
& Wheeler, 2022; UNEP, n.d.). Many of these emissions come from motor vehicles, industrial activities,
and the heating and cooling of buildings that rely on fossil fuels. This indicator assesses companies’
reporting and activities related to reduction of GHG emissions. Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions
from sources owned by the company, while scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from purchased
electricity, steam, heating or cooling. Scope 3 emissions result from activities associated with assets
not owned or controlled by the company but indirectly influenced by the company’s value chain. (US
EPA, 2023).
Research Guidance
Companies are expected to disclose GHG emissions across relevant scopes and emissions categories, considering the sectoral context in which the company operates and its activity profile.The following conditions must be evaluated in order to properly score this element:
- GHG emissions from companies are reported at least on an annual basis.
- The company describes how its GHG emissions were calculated. o for real economy companies, the company mentions the GHG accounting standards it used, e.g. ISO 14064-1 or GHG Protocol. o financial institutions outline the methodology for calculating scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions (including financed GHG emissions) and total footprint. This should include
- The company discloses its operational GHG emissions (scopes 1 and 2) as separate categories.
- The company specifies whether its reported scope 2 emissions are location-based and/or market-based. Companies belonging to electricity-intensive sectors shall report location-based scope 2 emissions and may also report market-based emissions. Companies in these sectors shall also report scope 3 category 3 emissions, which are associated with their electricity use.
- The company discloses its value chain (scope 3) emissions per category for all relevant scope 3 categories\* and provides a relevant rationale for any excluded category. The relevance is identified in terms of the GHG emissions categories that most contribute to the overall profile of total GHG emissions in which the company sits.
- For sectors for which non-CO2 emissions are significant, the company must report the CO2 equivalent (CO2eq) for all relevant GHG emissions.
- The company has its GHG inventory independently certified.
- Avoided emissions and carbon credits should be reported separately.**Attributes required**: Full emissions inventory, methodology for calculating emissions, andindependent verification of emissions disclosure.
& Wheeler, 2022; UNEP, n.d.). Many of these emissions come from motor vehicles, industrial activities,
and the heating and cooling of buildings that rely on fossil fuels. This indicator assesses companies’
reporting and activities related to reduction of GHG emissions. Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions
from sources owned by the company, while scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from purchased
electricity, steam, heating or cooling. Scope 3 emissions result from activities associated with assets
not owned or controlled by the company but indirectly influenced by the company’s value chain. (US
EPA, 2023).
Research Guidance
Companies are expected to disclose GHG emissions across relevant scopes and emissions categories, considering the sectoral context in which the company operates and its activity profile.The following conditions must be evaluated in order to properly score this element:
- GHG emissions from companies are reported at least on an annual basis.
- The company describes how its GHG emissions were calculated. o for real economy companies, the company mentions the GHG accounting standards it used, e.g. ISO 14064-1 or GHG Protocol. o financial institutions outline the methodology for calculating scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions (including financed GHG emissions) and total footprint. This should include
- The company discloses its operational GHG emissions (scopes 1 and 2) as separate categories.
- The company specifies whether its reported scope 2 emissions are location-based and/or market-based. Companies belonging to electricity-intensive sectors shall report location-based scope 2 emissions and may also report market-based emissions. Companies in these sectors shall also report scope 3 category 3 emissions, which are associated with their electricity use.
- The company discloses its value chain (scope 3) emissions per category for all relevant scope 3 categories\* and provides a relevant rationale for any excluded category. The relevance is identified in terms of the GHG emissions categories that most contribute to the overall profile of total GHG emissions in which the company sits.
- For sectors for which non-CO2 emissions are significant, the company must report the CO2 equivalent (CO2eq) for all relevant GHG emissions.
- The company has its GHG inventory independently certified.
- Avoided emissions and carbon credits should be reported separately.**Attributes required**: Full emissions inventory, methodology for calculating emissions, andindependent verification of emissions disclosure.
License
Topics
Framework Mappings
Value Type
Category
Options
Yes
No
Assessment
Steward Assessed
Report Type
Aggregate Data Report