A lack of professional vetting of carbon accountants amid a potential explosion in global reporting requirements has prompted the creation of an independent register to prevent greenwashing and maintain trust in a net-zero transition.

The Carbon Accounting and Auditors Register (CAAR) plans to launch globally before the end of 2025, with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and the Carbon Accounting Alliance (CAA) now publishing a competency framework setting out the skills knowledge and qualifications required.

“Currently there are thousands of people across the UK and globally delivering some form of carbon accounting. Many are competent professionals with the necessary experience and expertise to deliver best practice, but the reality is we simply do not know the true number and level of competence of people working in this field,” said IEMA senior climate policy lead Chloë Fiddy.

To meet this need, IEMA supported by CAA, will establish the Register to deliver or verify greenhouse gas (GHG) data and carbon footprints to the highest standard. The first step in the process has been creating a competency framework against which professionals can be held accountable, including all the key skills and experience needed to carry out various levels of carbon accounting.

Chloë Fiddy added: “Carbon accounting is a fast-moving discipline, and best practice is constantly changing in line with regulatory guidance, developing methodologies and the introduction of new schemes such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which is expected to be enforced in the UK in 2027, or any future scheme where emissions lead to taxation.”

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