As local governments all over the world continue to rapidly join the climate protection movement, the need for common conventions and a standardized approach to quantifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is more pressing than ever. ICLEI has been developing this guidance since the inception of its Cities for Climate Protection Campaign™ in 1993. ICLEI has recently formalized its GHG emissions analysis protocol development process and seeks to complete and publish the protocol through a peer review process drawing upon the expertise and experience of a network of peer organizations and its worldwide membership of over 800 local governments.

ICLEI is striving for the fullest possible alignment with established protocols to ensure the final Local Government Greenhouse Gas Protocol captures the most relevant expertise and sets an informed global standard for local governments executing climate protection work.

U.S. Local Government Operations Protocol

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, The California Air Resources Board, the California Climate Action Registry, and The Climate Registry are pleased to present the draft Local Government Operations Protocol.

Download the Draft Protocol

Staff from these partner organizations have worked with dozens of stakeholders over the last four months to develop this Protocol, which is meant to create a greenhouse gas accounting and reporting standard for local government operations across the United States.


ICLEI hosted a webinar on July 7th for our members to brief them on the content of the draft, its use by ICLEI members, and how it will influence local government emissions inventories in the future. If you missed the webinar, the recording will be posted here shortly. 

• Background 

To contact the ICLEI GHG Protocol Team, email ghgprotocol@iclei.org.

Draft International Local Government GHG Emissions Analysis Protocol

This draft version incorporates changes suggested during the public comment period that ended in March 2008. Final revision and publication is expected soon. ICLEI is making this draft version available for those interested in an early preview. Download the Draft International Local Government GHG Emissions Analysis Protocol.