Nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and other significant air emissions
Practical guidance for preparing this disclosure. Use this card to identify datapoints, verify claims and organise supporting evidence. For exact requirements, always refer to the official GRI source.
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This disclosure asks an organisation to explain the significant air emissions it releases from its activities, beyond greenhouse gases. In practice, that means identifying the main pollutants that matter for the business, such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and any other material air emissions, and reporting them in a way that is clear and comparable. The focus is on what is actually emitted, not on general air-quality ambitions or controls alone.
The practical question is how complete the reporting is across the organisation. A robust response should cover the relevant parts of the business where these emissions occur, rather than only selected flagship sites, unless the organisation can clearly explain any limits in coverage. The emphasis is on material sources, consistent measurement or estimation, and a transparent picture of where the emissions come from and how significant they are.
* This LRA educational guidance supports disclosure preparation. For the exact requirements, always refer to the official GRI source.
A quick mental checklist before you prepare this disclosure — tick each as you settle it.
| Datapoint | What to capture | Evidence hint | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimation basis | Record why an estimate was needed and the method used to derive the figure when no default figure was available. | Working papers showing the estimate method, inputs used, and the reason a default figure could not be applied. | Reporting / data owner |
| Emission categories | List the types of air emissions that are treated as significant for the reporting period. | Emissions inventory, environmental register, or permit records showing which emission types were flagged as significant. | Environment / EHS |
| Significant emissions | Capture the actual significant air emission figures for the period, by the relevant emission type. | Monitoring results, calculation sheets, or site reports that reconcile to the reported emission totals. | Environment / EHS |
| Emission factor source | State where the emission factors came from, including the source document or database used. | Reference list, calculation workbook, or methodology note naming the factor source used in the calculations. | Environment / EHS / Sustainability reporting |
| Calculation method | Describe the standards, methods, assumptions, and any tools used to calculate the figures. | Method statement, calculation protocol, assumptions log, and tool output or model file used for the calculation. | Environment / EHS / Sustainability reporting |
Show GRI 305-7 sub-elements (LRA working checklist)
- List the main types of air releases the organisation treats as material.
- Identify which air releases are considered material.
- State where the emission factors came from.
- Set out the standards, methods, assumptions, and any calculation tools used.
- If estimates were needed because no default figures were available, explain the basis used to build those estimates.
LRA working checklist - paraphrased; see official source
- Set the reporting boundary first: confirm which operations, sites, or activities are in scope for the air-emissions disclosure, so the rest of the work is built on the same perimeter.
- Agree the emissions list and the categories you will report, using a clear internal definition of what counts as significant so the team applies the same test throughout.
- Gather the underlying support for each figure, including the source of any emission factors and the records that show where those factors came from.
- Prepare the reported content itself: compile the emissions figures or, where the disclosure is narrative, the written explanation needed for each required item.
- If you had to estimate because no default figure was available, record the method used to build the estimate and note any assumptions, standards, or calculation tools applied.
- Check the draft against the official source before sign-off, and make sure any exclusions, changes in approach, or estimation basis are clearly documented and traceable.
Translate the disclosure into an internal business question — then adapt it to your organisation's own language.
Use your organisation’s own labels first (for example, site emissions, stack data, permit pollutants, or air-quality metrics), then map them to the reporting disclosure. Keep the request in the language the operational owner already uses, and only translate into framework terms when you prepare the reporting pack.
Please provide the GRI 305-7 evidence for significant air emissions, including categories, emission factors, methodologies, assumptions, and estimation basis.
Please send the air-emissions pack for [period] for [sites/boundary]: the internal pollutant categories we track, the figures behind them, any estimates and why they were needed, the factor source, and the method, assumptions, and tool used. Please attach the source files or system references so we can trace each number back to the working record.
Formal email template
Subject: Request for air-emissions data and supporting evidence for [reporting period] Hi [name/team], Could you please share the data pack for our air-emissions reporting for [reporting period] across [boundary/sites]? I’m looking for the figures, the source records, and the working papers behind them. Please include: - the list of emission categories we track internally for this area; - the reported figures for each category and the source records used; - the basis used where a direct figure was not available and an estimate was needed; - the source of any emission factors used; - the methods, assumptions, and calculation tools applied; - any notes on exclusions, adjustments, or data quality issues. If it is easier, you can return this in your own format and I will map it into the reporting pack. Please also include the file links or system references so we can trace each figure back to source. Thanks, [preparer name]
Short Teams / Slack version
Hi [name/team] — could you send over the air-emissions data pack for [period] for [sites/boundary]? Please include the figures, source files, any estimates and why they were used, plus the factor source, method, assumptions, and tool used. Your own working format is fine — I’ll map it into the reporting pack. Thanks.
Manufacturing
Context. A plant team tracks boiler stacks, process vents, and backup generators in an environmental log.
Adapted request. Please share the plant air-emissions pack for [period] covering boiler stacks, process vents, and generators. Include the site log extracts, any estimated values and the reason for them, the factor source, and the spreadsheet or system used to calculate the figures.
Example response. The team returns a table by site and source, with measured stack data for two boilers, estimated generator emissions for one outage period, the factor source name and version, the calculation workbook, and notes on operating hours and control settings.
Transport / Logistics
Context. A fleet team monitors exhaust-related pollutants from company vehicles and depot equipment.
Adapted request. Please send the fleet and depot emissions pack for [period]. Include the vehicle and depot categories we use internally, the figures by source, any proxy or estimated values, the factor source, and the method or tool used to build the totals.
Example response. The team provides a fleet summary by vehicle class and depot equipment, flags estimated depot figures where meter data was missing, lists the database used for factors, and attaches the fleet calculator with assumptions on mileage and fuel use.
The full request pack — response form, data table, evidence metadata and sign-off — is in the Download Centre.
LRA training templates — adapt them to your organisation, and check the official source before sign-off.
Explain how the emissions figures were built, including any estimates used where a default value was unavailable, the factor source, and the main calculation tools, assumptions, and working methods applied.
Set out what the reported emissions mean in practice by identifying the significant air pollutants and showing how the total and its main components were derived.
If the figures moved materially, describe whether the change came from different activity levels, a revised estimate, or a change in the factor source, assumptions, or calculation approach.
GRI 305-7 Nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and other significant air emissions — [location / page] / [notes]
Professional preparation tools and forms for GRI 305-7. Each download includes a concise “How to use” guide.
| Claim | Risk | Evidence to check |
|---|---|---|
| We used estimates only where direct figures were not available, and we documented the basis for each estimate. | The assurer may find that estimates were used without a clear rationale, or that the method behind them was not recorded well enough to test. | Working papers showing why an estimate was needed, the calculation approach used, input data, assumptions, and any sign-off on the estimate basis. |
| We grouped the disclosed air releases into the categories we used internally for reporting, and we can show how each source was assigned. | The assurer may question whether the grouping is complete, whether sources were placed in the right category, or whether any material source was left out. | A category mapping, source inventory, internal reporting taxonomy, and reconciliation between the source list and the published breakdown. |
| The published emissions total is built from the underlying source data we collected for the period, with no known material gaps left unaddressed. | The assurer may probe whether the total is complete, whether any sites or activities were omitted, and whether the underlying data is reliable enough to support the figure. | Source registers, site returns, consolidation schedules, completeness checks, exception logs, and evidence of review of missing or unusual items. |
| We can trace the emission factors we applied back to named references and versioned source material. | The assurer may ask whether the factors came from a credible source, whether the right version was used, and whether the factor set matches the activity data period. | A factor library or schedule showing source name, publication date or version, the factor values used, and evidence of approval or update control. |
| We prepared the calculation using documented methods, assumptions, and tools, and we checked the output before publication. | The assurer may challenge whether the method was applied consistently, whether assumptions were reasonable, whether the tool was configured correctly, and whether the final numbers were reviewed. | Method notes, assumption logs, tool settings or model files, calculation sheets, review notes, and evidence of pre-publication checks and sign-off. |
- The governing policy or written commitment behind this disclosure
- A methodology / definition note setting out how the disclosure was scoped and prepared
- Source-system exports the figures or facts were drawn from
- The internal approval / sign-off record for the disclosure before publication
- Minutes or records evidencing the relevant engagement or consultation
- The information is presented without a date or as-at point.
- The scope or boundary of the statement is left undefined.
- Key terms are used inconsistently across the report.
- Material changes since the previous period are not disclosed.
- Assertions are made without supporting detail or a source record.
- Boilerplate is used that does not actually answer what is asked.
- No named data owner
The team asks the wrong person for the figures, so no one with the actual emissions records confirms what was collected.
- Using framework language instead of site terms
People ask for the data in reporting jargon, and the plant or fleet team cannot map it to the labels they use day to day.
- Scope not pinned down
The collection request does not say which sites, assets, or activities are in range, so different teams pull different populations.
- Wrong time basis
The data pull uses a different reporting period or cut-off date from the rest of the pack, so the numbers do not line up.
- Mixing unlike calculation bases
Actual readings, estimates, and modelled values are merged without separating how each figure was built.
- Source labels get stripped out
The original factor names, file titles, or system tags are lost during consolidation, so the team cannot trace where each input came from.
- Separate groups are combined
Emissions from different business units or operating contexts are rolled together even though they should be kept apart for collection.
- Evidence trail is incomplete
The file set has no clear note of the source, method, assumptions, or tool used, so reviewers cannot follow the calculation path.
- No approval record
The final dataset is circulated without a visible check or sign-off trail, so no one can show who reviewed the numbers before use.
- Choosing the reporting cut-off after a buy-in or sale
Set a clear cut-off date for adding or removing sites or activities, then explain whether the figures reflect the period before or after the change and how any partial-year data were handled.
- Reconciling different local pollutant labels
Where country-level rules or site permits use different names or groupings, map them to your own internal categories and disclose the mapping so readers can see what was counted together.
- Deciding whether a nearby site is in scope
If a facility, contractor operation, or shared asset sits on the edge of your operational control, state the rule used to include or exclude it and apply that rule consistently.
- Selecting the measurement basis for each source
If some emissions are directly measured and others are modelled or estimated, explain which sources use which approach and why that mix was necessary.
- Using substitute figures when site data are missing
When default values are unavailable and estimates are used instead, describe the basis for those estimates and the assumptions behind them.
- Picking the emission-factor source
If more than one factor set could be used, identify the source chosen, note any site- or country-specific differences, and explain why that source was preferred.
- Setting the calculation method and tool version
State the standards, assumptions, and calculation tools used, including the version or model set, so another preparer could understand how the numbers were built.
- Handling very small amounts and rounding
Agree a rounding rule before finalising the figures, apply it consistently across pollutants and sites, and make sure the rounded totals still reconcile to the underlying data.
- Protecting sensitive site-level information
If detailed figures could identify a small site, team, or process, aggregate the data to a level that protects privacy while still showing the relevant emission category and explain the aggregation choice.
Synthetic, written by LRA — not from a company report, not text from any standard.
Synthetic example only. We estimated our annual air releases where site meters did not provide a direct reading, using production volumes, fuel use and lab test data as the starting point. Our significant releases were nitrogen oxides at 42.0 tonnes, sulphur oxides at 6.0 tonnes and particulate matter at 1.8 tonnes; the figures were built from emission factors taken from supplier technical sheets, national inventory guidance and equipment manuals, with activity data checked against maintenance logs and utility invoices.
- We used a mass-balance approach for one process line and a factor-based method for the rest, with conversion steps and spreadsheet checks documented in our internal calculation workbook.
- The estimates were applied only where no default site figure was available, and each value was rounded to one decimal place after the underlying calculations were completed.
Synthetic example only. For the year, we reported the main air releases from our boilers, ovens and refrigeration systems, using direct measurements where available and estimates where plant data were incomplete. Our significant releases were carbon dioxide at 1,260 tonnes, methane at 18 tonnes and ammonia at 4 tonnes; the emission factors came from government conversion tables, manufacturer data and peer-reviewed technical references, then were applied in our carbon-accounting spreadsheet.
- Where a default plant figure was missing, we estimated from fuel purchase records, operating hours and refrigerant top-up logs, with engineering judgement used only to fill gaps that could not be measured directly.
- The calculation basis, assumptions, unit conversions and review steps were recorded in our internal methodology note, and the final values were reconciled to utility bills and maintenance records before reporting.
How to turn the collected data into a draft disclosure. Suggested visuals and a GRI content-index line generated from this disclosure's datapoints.
Suggested visuals
- Air emissions by pollutant group — stacked bar: How the main emission types compare across the reporting period, using the categories the reporter has identified as significant.
- Total significant air emissions over time — line: The movement in the overall emissions total across periods, to highlight rises, falls, or stability.
- Emission sources and their contribution — bar: Which activities or sites are driving the reported air emissions, and how much each contributes to the total.
- Estimated versus measured figures — table: Which figures were directly compiled and which were estimated because a default value was not available, including the basis used for any estimates.
- Calculation approach and inputs summary — table: The main calculation tools, assumptions, and factor sources used to prepare the emissions figures.
What separates a figure from a disclosure.
We reported 12 tonnes of significant air emissions this year.
We reported 12 tonnes of significant air emissions this year, split into 7 tonnes of NOx and 5 tonnes of SOx, using supplier emission factors and our internal calculation method.
We reported 12 tonnes of significant air emissions for the year to 31 December 2025, made up of 7 tonnes of NOx and 5 tonnes of SOx; where site data were missing we estimated values using supplier factors and our spreadsheet model, and the increase from last year mainly reflected higher production volumes.
Real reports where this topic is disclosed. The confidence label shows how closely each match maps to GRI 305-7 — these are report practice, not exact disclosure examples.
| Company | Sector · Country | Year | Match | Page | Report | Assurance | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeelongPort | Water Transportation — Ports and Services · Australia | 2025 | Exact | p. 86 →p. 87 →p. 75 → | Sustainability Report 2025 → | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Evidence in GeelongPort’s reportWhat the report shows GeelongPort’s Sustainability Report 2025 provides specific data on emissions, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and other significant air emissions on page 87, and reports a Scope 2 greenhouse gas emission reduction of 1692.31 tonnes of CO2 due to the BREP implementation on page 75. Additional references to greenhouse gas emissions intensity and Scope 3 emissions data appear on pages 76, 86, and 90, indicating some coverage of emissions metrics and assurance activities. However, the report lacks clear narrative explanations or methodological details for these emissions data, as no quotable evidence was found for narrative or methodology sections.
Evidence-based summary of this company’s own report — not a disclosure template to copy, and not a compliance verdict. Datapoint coverage
Source trail
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| Globalvia | Ground Transportation — Highways and Railtracks · Spain | 2025 | Partial | p. 46 →p. 48 →p. 50 → | Globalvia Sustainability Report 2025 → | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Evidence in Globalvia’s reportWhat the report shows Globalvia’s 2025 Sustainability Report provides detailed coverage of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, with specific data presented on pages 48, 50, 99, and 118. The report includes quantitative values for direct (Scope 1) emissions, showing a decrease from 2,551 tCO2eq in 2023 to 1,896 tCO2eq in 2025 (p.50), and references the use of the GHG Protocol for calculating its carbon footprint (p.48). However, the report lacks clear narrative or methodological explanations for these disclosures, as no quotable evidence on methodology or narrative context was found.
Evidence-based summary of this company’s own report — not a disclosure template to copy, and not a compliance verdict. Datapoint coverage
Source trail
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| ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. | Semiconductors · Taiwan | 2024 | Exact | p. 261 →p. 36 →p. 146 → | 2024 CSR Report → | Deloitte | |||||||||||||||||||
Evidence in ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd.’s reportWhat the report shows ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd.'s 2024 CSR Report provides specific data on environmental impacts, including reductions in air pollution, waste, water resource consumption, and water pollution (p.36), as well as detailed greenhouse gas emissions figures covering Scope 2 and indirect emissions totaling 144 tCO2e (p.243). The report also quantifies emissions from purchased goods and services at nearly 15 million tCO2e using the SimaPro tool (p.127). However, the report lacks clear narrative or methodological explanations regarding emissions calculation or reduction strategies, and no information was found on certain narrative items or methodologies (no page).
Evidence-based summary of this company’s own report — not a disclosure template to copy, and not a compliance verdict. Datapoint coverage
Source trail
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A facilities team has measured stack emissions for two boilers and used a published factor set for a third unit because no site-specific default was available. The draft note also lists the pollutants it treats as material for the year.Have you explained both how the estimate was built where default figures were missing, and which air pollutants you are treating as material?
An operations manager has given the reporting team a spreadsheet of annual emissions, but the only note on the calculation is “industry database used”. The team also has a separate memo describing the plant, fuel mix, and conversion steps.What extra detail do you need before you can finalise the disclosure?
A site reports nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides from combustion equipment, but it also has a small release of another pollutant from a process vent. The team is unsure whether to include that third pollutant because it is not one of the main combustion gases.Should the disclosure stay limited to the two combustion-related pollutants, or also cover the other material release?
A preparer has drafted a narrative that says the company used a recognised calculation package and a set of internal assumptions, but it does not say which assumptions were applied to which source. The same draft also omits any explanation of how estimated values were derived for one furnace.Can this be signed off as it stands, or does it need more detail?
See how companies actually report GRI 305-7 — drawn from their own published reports, with the exact pages, and an LRA AI-assistant that works through it with you. Available to LRA Community members and to students throughout their platform access.
How this disclosure maps across the major reporting frameworks.
How do I use the GRI 305-7 page to draft the disclosure from scratch?
Start with the plain-language explainer, then work through the step-by-step preparation section, the datapoints to prepare, and the draft-output section. The page is designed to help you turn source data into a draft narrative, visual, and content-index line. ↑ section
What data do I need to collect for GRI 305-7 before I can write the disclosure?
The page says to prepare five datapoints: estimation basis, emission categories, significant emissions, emission factor source, and calculation method. Use those as your minimum data checklist before drafting. ↑ section
How should I decide the scope and methodology for the GRI 305-7 emissions disclosure?
Use the page’s preparation section and the listed datapoints to define what emissions categories are in scope, what calculation method you used, and what estimation basis applies. The page is set up to help you document those choices clearly for the disclosure. ↑ section
Who should own the GRI 305-7 data collection and sign-off in practice?
The page is aimed at sustainability/ESG managers, HR or data owners, and assurance reviewers, so ownership should sit with the people who can explain the source data, method, and evidence. Use the workbook to assign tasks and track what each owner needs to provide. ↑ section
What should I put in the evidence pack for GRI 305-7 assurance readiness?
The page includes an evidence pack with five items to support assurance readiness, alongside five assurance claims to verify. Build the pack around the source data, method, emission factor source, and other evidence needed to show how the figures were prepared. ↑ section
What are the common mistakes to avoid when reporting GRI 305-7 emissions?
The page lists common reporting gaps and mistakes, so use that section as a pre-submission check. It is especially useful for spotting missing methodology detail, weak evidence, or incomplete data before the draft is finalised. ↑ section
How do I use the Prep & Assurance workbook for GRI 305-7?
The Download Centre includes a Prep & Assurance workbook in .xlsx format, which is intended to support preparation and assurance readiness. Use it to organise the required datapoints, evidence, and review steps before drafting the disclosure. ↑ section
What can I take from the synthetic example disclosure for GRI 305-7?
The page includes synthetic illustrative examples, including a quantitative table, to show how the disclosure can be presented. Treat them as formatting and drafting aids only, and make sure any real figures in your own draft are internally consistent. ↑ section
How do I turn the GRI 305-7 data into a draft narrative and content-index line?
The draft-output section gives visualisation ideas, narrative starters, and a GRI content-index line to help you convert prepared data into report text. Use those prompts to build a concise draft that matches your evidence pack and calculation method. ↑ section
Can I reuse my GRI 305-7 emissions data for ESRS E1 (Climate Change)?
The page notes ESRS E1 (Climate Change) as the closest correspondence, so the same underlying data may be reusable across both frameworks. The page does not say the requirements are identical, so you still need to check the other framework separately. ↑ section
What is the printable Library Card in the GRI 305-7 download centre for?
The Download Centre includes a printable Library Card in PDF format alongside the workbook. It is there as a practical companion to the page content, so you can keep the key points and preparation steps to hand while drafting. ↑ section
- GRI 305-7 emissions disclosure checklist for sustainability managers
- GRI 305-7 what data do I need for the workbook and evidence pack
- GRI 305-7 how to document emission factor source and calculation method
- GRI 305-7 assurance claims and evidence pack questions
- GRI 305-7 common reporting gaps and mistakes to check before submission
- GRI 305-7 synthetic example disclosure table and narrative starters
- GRI 305-7 draft output content index line and visualisation ideas
- GRI 305-7 closest ESRS E1 correspondence can data be reused
- GRI 305-7 who should own emissions data collection and review
- GRI 305-7 how to prepare for assurance using the workbook
Get a practical answer for your reporting context. Your first answer is free — create a free account to continue the conversation.
Sources, status and disclaimer
This LRA assistance tool is designed for educational and internal data-collection purposes. It is not an official interpretation of the GRI Standards, IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards or EU CSRD/ESRS requirements. When applying these frameworks in professional practice, users should consult and double-check the official standards, guidance and applicable regulatory sources.