Disclosure LibraryPractitioner guidance for every reporting disclosure
All disclosures Courses
Home→ Disclosure Library→ IFRS / ISSB→ IFRS S2→ s2-29-a-i
IFRS S2: Climate-related Disclosures · 2024
Paragraphs 29–a–i

Absolute gross greenhouse gas emissions

Practical guidance for preparing this disclosure. Use this card to identify the information to prepare, verify claims and organise supporting evidence. For exact requirements, always refer to the official IFRS source.

Under review Editorial review in progress Prepared from official source material and published report evidence Use alongside the official IFRS source while human review is in progress.
To prepare this disclosure
Disclosure focus

This disclosure asks an organisation to report its total gross greenhouse gas emissions in absolute terms, rather than as an intensity measure. In practice, that means showing the full amount of emissions generated before any offsets or removals are considered, so readers can see the scale of the organisation’s climate impact.

The practical focus is on completeness and consistency of coverage. Organisations should think about whether the figure covers all relevant operations, entities and activities in scope, rather than only selected sites or headline locations, so the reported number reflects the organisation as a whole.

This LRA educational guidance supports disclosure preparation. For the exact requirements, always refer to the official IFRS source.

Before you start

A quick mental checklist before you prepare this disclosure — tick each as you settle it.

Preparation

Key information to prepare

Preparation field What to capture Evidence hint Owner
Reporting boundary The organisational and activity boundary used for the emissions calculation, including which entities, sites, operations and time period are included. Group reporting policy, consolidation notes, boundary memo, and the emissions inventory scope file. Sustainability / Finance
Direct emissions total The total greenhouse gas emissions from sources the organisation controls directly, expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent for the reporting period. Fuel logs, meter data, fleet records, refrigerant records, calculation workbook, and the emissions source register. Environment / Operations
Purchased energy emissions The greenhouse gas emissions linked to purchased electricity, heat, steam or cooling used in the reporting period, expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent. Utility bills, supplier statements, meter reads, contract data, calculation workbook, and the purchased-energy schedule. Energy / Sustainability
Value chain emissions The greenhouse gas emissions from upstream and downstream activities outside direct control that are included in the reporting boundary, expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent. Supplier data, travel and logistics records, procurement spend files, estimation assumptions, and the scope 3 calculation model. Procurement / Sustainability
Gross emissions total The combined greenhouse gas emissions total before any offsets or removals, covering the full reporting boundary and period, expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent. Consolidated emissions schedule, calculation workbook, source-category totals, and the final reporting pack. Sustainability / Finance
＋ Show s2-29-a-i sub-elements (LRA working checklist)

How to prepare it

1Set the calculation boundary first. Be clear about which parts of the business, sites, activities and time period are included in the emissions figure, so the same boundary is used consistently across all the numbers you report.
2Decide what will count in each emissions bucket. Separate direct emissions, purchased energy emissions and value-chain emissions into distinct working files, and make sure each source is assigned to the right category before you total anything.
3Gather the underlying support for every figure. Keep the activity data, emission factors, meter reads, invoices, system extracts or other source records that back each emissions amount, so the reported numbers can be traced back to evidence.
4Build the reported outputs from the evidence. Prepare the individual emissions amounts and the overall gross total in tonnes of CO2e, using the same calculation basis throughout and checking that the total is assembled from the component figures you have collected.
5Record any exclusions, estimation choices or boundary changes. If something is left out, treated differently or updated from the prior approach, note what changed, why it changed and how that affects comparability.
6Check the draft against the source material before sign-off. Reconcile the final figures and boundary notes to the supporting records and the official reporting source, so the published disclosure matches the evidence and the intended calculation approach.
Request the data

Request the emissions totals and working papers from EHS / Operations

Translate the disclosure into an internal business question — then adapt it to your organisation's own language.

What are the organisation’s gross greenhouse gas totals for the reporting period, split by direct, purchased energy, and other value-chain sources, and what calculation perimeter was used?

Use your organisation’s own terms first, then map them to the reporting labels. For example, ask for your carbon inventory, emissions workbook, or footprint pack if that is how the team talks internally; only translate into the reporting labels when you prepare the disclosure pack. Check the official source before sign-off.

Weak request

Please send the Scope 1, Scope 2, Scope 3 and total gross emissions data for the disclosure.

Why it fails: It uses reporting labels only, which may not match how the owner stores or tracks the data. It does not ask for the perimeter, source files, assumptions, exclusions, or review evidence needed to understand what sits behind the totals.

Better request

Please send the latest carbon inventory pack for [reporting period] for [entity/group name]. We need the perimeter used, the totals for direct emissions, purchased energy emissions, and other value-chain emissions, plus the gross total in tCO2e, together with the workbook/export, assumptions, exclusions, estimates, and any review note. Use your team’s usual labels first, then add a short mapping to the reporting labels.

Formal email template
Subject: Request for carbon inventory data and working papers for [reporting period]

Hi [name/team],

We are preparing the sustainability reporting pack for [reporting period] and need the latest emissions inventory and supporting working papers for [entity/group name].

Please send:
- the calculation perimeter used for the inventory;
- the totals for direct emissions, purchased energy emissions, and other value-chain emissions, all in tCO2e;
- the combined gross total in tCO2e;
- the source workbook or system extract used to build the figures;
- the method notes, including any factor set, assumptions, exclusions, or estimates;
- any review or sign-off evidence already available.

Please use your team’s usual labels in the first instance, then include a short mapping to the reporting labels so we can prepare the disclosure pack. If helpful, a simple table is fine.

Please send this by [date]. Check the official source before sign-off.

Thanks,
[preparer name]
Short Teams / Slack version
Hi [name/team] — could you send the latest carbon inventory pack for [reporting period] for [entity/group name]? We need the perimeter used, the totals for direct, purchased energy, and other value-chain emissions, plus the gross total, source workbook/export, assumptions, exclusions, and any review note. Use your usual internal labels first, then add a quick mapping to the reporting labels. Thanks — [preparer name]
Industry examples
Manufacturing

Context. A plant-based group with fuel combustion, process emissions, purchased electricity, and logistics tracked in an environmental workbook.

Adapted request. Please send the latest emissions workbook for [reporting period] covering [sites/plants]. Include the perimeter used, the totals for site fuel, purchased power, logistics, and other tracked sources, plus the combined total in tCO2e, the source files, factor set, assumptions, and any exclusions or estimates.

Example response. Prepared by: EHS analyst; Reporting period: FY2025; Entity/group boundary: 6 plants and head office; Calculation perimeter: boilers, ovens, forklifts, electricity, inbound logistics; Source system/workbook: Environmental workbook v7; Method basis: internal factor library v12; Assumptions: one site estimated from prior-month usage; Exclusions: none; Reviewer: EHS manager; Sign-off status: approved.

Financial services

Context. A services group with office energy, business travel, data centres, and leased vehicles tracked through facilities and travel systems.

Adapted request. Please send the latest footprint pack for [reporting period] covering [business unit/group]. Include the perimeter used, the totals for office energy, fleet/leased vehicles, travel, and other tracked sources, plus the combined total in tCO2e, the source extracts, assumptions, exclusions, and review evidence.

Example response. Prepared by: Sustainability reporting lead; Reporting period: FY2025; Entity/group boundary: operating group only; Calculation perimeter: offices, data centres, leased vehicles, business travel; Source system/workbook: Facilities dashboard and travel export; Method basis: latest factor file; Assumptions: one travel month annualised; Exclusions: dormant office excluded; Reviewer: Finance controller; Sign-off status: pending final review.

Draft your disclosure

Notes that turn data into a disclosure

LRA training templates — adapt them to your organisation, and check the official source before sign-off.

Method note

State the boundary used for the figures, explain how each emissions source was defined for the calculation, and note that the totals combine the included source categories on that basis.

Context note

Explain what the figures show in practice by linking the boundary to the reported totals and clarifying how the direct, energy-related and value-chain amounts sit within the overall emissions picture.

Fluctuation statement

If any figure moved materially, describe the main operational or boundary-related drivers behind the change and note whether the shift came from one source category or across the full emissions set.

Content index entry
s2-29-a-i Absolute gross greenhouse gas emissions — [location / page] / [notes]
Download Centre

Preparation tools & forms

Professional preparation tools for s2-29-a-i — free with an LRA Community membership. Register once (it's free) and every download unlocks, together with the Disclosure Library, templates and the LRA AI Assistant.

Free · Community members
01XLSPrep & Assurance workbookDatapoints, risks, evidence to check, owner and evidence pack.Get it free ↧ 02XLSData-request packRequest email, message template, response fields and sign-off structure.Get it free ↧ 03PDFLibrary CardPrintable one-page summary of this disclosure card.Get it free ↧
Go deeper · s2-29-a-i
Learn to prepare this disclosure end-to-end

This guide covers one requirement. The IFRS S1 & S2 Reporting course walks the full ISSB workflow — governance, strategy, risk management and metrics — with exercises on your own data.

Available as Guided Flex, Live Cohort, 1:1 Expert Mentorship or Corporate Programme.

Assurance readiness

For each claim, check the evidence

ClaimRiskEvidence to check
We set the boundary for the figure by fixing the reporting year, the group of entities included, and the part of the value chain we treated as in-scope.Assurer checks whether the boundary was chosen consistently, whether any exclusions were justified, and whether the same boundary was used across the related figures.Boundary memo; consolidation list; scope mapping; methodology paper; sign-off showing the period, entity boundary and value-chain boundary used.
Where we used direct readings of gases, we converted them into carbon-dioxide equivalent using the warming values current at the reporting date from the latest available assessment.Assurer probes whether the conversion factors were current, whether the correct assessment was used, and whether the conversion was applied consistently to all directly measured gases.Conversion-factor source file; version/date of the assessment used; calculation workbook; review notes showing the conversion was applied to direct measurements.
Where we estimated emissions from activity data, we matched each input to a relevant factor and then converted the result into carbon-dioxide equivalent.Assurer checks whether the factors were suitable for the activity, whether the chosen basis was documented, and whether the conversion to carbon-dioxide equivalent was done correctly.Emission-factor library; factor selection rationale; activity data extracts; calculation sheets; evidence of review of factor applicability.
We prepared the disclosed emissions using the reporting period, the organisational boundary and the value-chain boundary we documented for the calculation.Assurer probes whether the disclosed numbers align with the stated perimeter and whether any parts of the business or value chain were omitted without explanation.Perimeter note; organisational chart or consolidation schedule; value-chain boundary analysis; reconciliation from source data to the disclosed totals.
For value-chain data drawn from different years, we used the timing basis allowed in our method and flagged any material events that happened in between.Assurer checks whether the timing approach was permitted, whether the periods were mixed consistently, and whether important changes between dates were identified and explained.Timing policy; source-data dates; bridge or adjustment schedule; narrative on intervening events; evidence of review of material changes.
We converted any directly measured gases in the same way across the related figures, using the current warming values at the reporting date.Assurer probes whether the same conversion basis was used consistently and whether the date-specific factors were correct for the reporting period.Calculation workbook; factor source and date; control checklist; reviewer sign-off.

Evidence pack to prepare

Common reporting gaps

Figures are stated without the supporting narrative, or narrative without figures.Scope is inconsistent between the text and the numbers.The reporting boundary is left undefined.Material changes since the previous period are not disclosed.Estimates and measured values are not distinguished.Source records for the figures are not identified.
Common gaps

Mistakes to avoid when collecting the data

Wrong owner
The request goes to a sustainability contact who does not hold the source records, so the team gets a polished summary instead of the operational data.
Framework language first
People ask for the figures using disclosure labels rather than the business’s own terms, and the data owner cannot map the request to their ledger, utility or travel records.
Unclear boundary
No one states which sites, entities or activities sit inside the calculation, so different teams pull different populations and the numbers cannot be reconciled.
＋ Show 6 more

Where judgement is often needed

Set the reporting boundary after acquisitions and disposals
Explain whether the year includes only the businesses you controlled for the full period or also newly bought or sold operations, and state the cut-off date and any restatement approach you used.
Choose one emissions rulebook where local practice differs
If sites in different countries use different local calculation methods, pick a single basis for the group total, describe where local methods were converted or replaced, and note any material exceptions.
Decide how to treat sites or teams near the boundary
State how you handled assets, activities, contractors, leased locations, or joint arrangements that sit close to your operational boundary, and explain the inclusion or exclusion rule you applied.
＋ Show 6 more
Examples

Illustrative examples

Synthetic, written by LRA — not from a company report, not text from any standard.

Illustrative (synthetic) example — Manufacturing

We set out the boundary used for this emissions figure as our full consolidated group, covering operations we control and the value-chain activities we have included for the year ended 31 December 2025.
- Direct fuel and process emissions: 12,400 tCO2e.
- Purchased electricity and other energy emissions: 8,600 tCO2e.
- Other value-chain emissions: 79,000 tCO2e.
- Combined gross emissions: 100,000 tCO2e.

This example shows a simple narrative disclosure that identifies the reporting boundary and then gives the three emissions buckets plus the overall total. The figures are internally consistent because 12,400 + 8,600 + 79,000 = 100,000.

Illustrative (synthetic) example — Retail

For the year ended 31 March 2026, we measured emissions across our consolidated group and the related activities we chose to include in the reporting boundary.
- Emissions from our own sites and vehicles: 3,200 tCO2e.
- Emissions from bought-in power: 1,800 tCO2e.
- Emissions from the wider supply chain and downstream activities included in the boundary: 15,000 tCO2e.
- Total gross emissions for the period: 20,000 tCO2e.

This example uses different plain-language labels for the same required information, while still showing the boundary and the three component amounts that add up to the total. The arithmetic is consistent because 3,200 + 1,800 + 15,000 = 20,000.

Company reportsReal published reports
Compare side by side →Get it free

How companies report S2-29-a-i in practice

Examples of full and partial reporting practice. These are evidence-led reviews, not exact disclosure templates to copy.

Mowi ASA
Food Production — Animal Source · Norway · 2024
Open report →
Mowi ASA’s 2024 Integrated Annual Report provides specific data on Scope 1 emissions, reporting 1,919 tonnes CO2e on page 172, and Scope 2 emissions, with figures detailed on page 79. The report also states total gross greenhouse gas emissions, including Scope 1, 2, and 3, as 2,477,798 tonnes CO2e on page 77. However, the report lacks clear information on the calculation perimeter for emissions and does not provide explicit data on Scope 3 emissions, with no quotable evidence found for these aspects.
TAQA (Abu Dhabi National Energy Company)
None · United Arab Emirates · 2024
Open report →
TAQA's 2024 Integrated Report provides specific data on Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions, reporting 48.90 million tonnes of CO2e for Scope 1 and 0.28 million tonnes of CO2e for Scope 2 on page 272. However, the report does not include clear information on the calculation perimeter or methodology for these emissions, nor does it provide data on Scope 3 emissions or total gross emissions. These gaps limit the completeness of the emissions disclosure in the report.
WNC Corporation
Technology Hardware and Equipment · Taiwan · 2024
Open report →
WNC Corporation’s 2024 Sustainability Report provides a clear disclosure of Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions, reporting specific values in tonnes of CO2e on page 173. The report includes graphical context on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions on page 70 but does not clearly disclose total gross emissions or provide specific figures for Scope 2 or Scope 3 emissions. Additionally, there is no quotable evidence regarding the calculation perimeter or methodology for emissions reporting.
✓ LRA AI Assistant · Human-in-the-loop
Dr Ross Kurinko
Ask the Study Studio AI Assistant about this disclosure
Get practical answers for your reporting context. Your first two answers are free — join LRA Community for free to continue without a limit.
TryHow do I prepare s2-29-a-i?What data do I need to collect?Where can I see a real-report example?What mistakes should I avoid?
2 free answers
Check your understanding

Scenarios to work through

A group has measured emissions for its UK operations and overseas sites, but the draft table only shows the combined figure and the team is unsure whether to split out the three source categories. The underlying working papers do distinguish direct fuel use, purchased energy, and other value-chain emissions.

QShould the disclosure be built from a perimeter note plus separate figures for the three source categories and the overall total, rather than only one combined number?
Reveal model answer →

A preparer has finalised the emissions workbook and finds that the total gross figure is 18,400 tCO2e. The source lines are 2,900 tCO2e for direct fuel use, 4,100 tCO2e for purchased energy, and 11,400 tCO2e for other value-chain emissions, which add exactly to the total.

QIs it acceptable to report the total if it is not the sum of the three source lines, or should the preparer check the arithmetic before sign-off?
Reveal model answer →

A company has used a market-based method for purchased electricity in its internal reporting, but the disclosure pack also includes location-based results in a separate appendix. The reporting team is unsure which set belongs in this item.

QWhich set of numbers should be used for this disclosure, and how should the preparer avoid mixing methods in the same line items?
Reveal model answer →

A preparer has a draft that lists Scope 1 and Scope 2 amounts, but Scope 3 is still being estimated and the team wants to publish the first two lines now, leaving the third line blank for later. The total gross figure has not yet been finalised.

QCan the disclosure be signed off with one source category missing, or does the preparer need to wait until all three source amounts and the total are ready?
Reveal model answer →
Framework references

Relevant IFRS / ISSB requirements and related disclosures

Available framework references and nearby disclosures relevant to preparing this requirement.

IFRS / ISSB
s2-29-a-i
within IFRS S2: Climate-related Disclosures
Open official source →
Primary
Related & explore
Go deeper · s2-29-a-i
Learn to prepare this disclosure end-to-end

This guide covers one requirement. The IFRS S1 & S2 Reporting course walks the full ISSB workflow — governance, strategy, risk management and metrics — with exercises on your own data.

Available as Guided Flex, Live Cohort, 1:1 Expert Mentorship or Corporate Programme.

FAQ

Questions this page answers

How do I use the s2-29-a-i page to draft the climate disclosure from scratch?+
What data do I need ready for s2-29-a-i before I start writing?+
How should I decide the reporting boundary for s2-29-a-i?+
Who should own the data for direct emissions, purchased energy emissions and value chain emissions on s2-29-a-i?+
What should I put in an evidence pack for s2-29-a-i assurance readiness?+
What are the common mistakes people make when preparing s2-29-a-i?+
How do I use the Prep & Assurance workbook for s2-29-a-i?+
Can I use the printable Library Card to brief a data owner on s2-29-a-i?+
What does the synthetic example on s2-29-a-i show me in practice?+
How can I turn the s2-29-a-i data into a draft narrative and table?+
Is the s2-29-a-i page useful if I am checking whether our ESRS E1 climate data can be reused?+
More questions this page can help with
How this library is built 312 published reports indexed 63171 pages with page-level citations 272 practitioner guides