Resources
Missing Carbon Footprint Databases? How Energy-Intensive Industries Can Overcome Global Data Barriers
2025-06-19
Carbon Footprint Knowledge
global carbon accounting
A Global Compliance Crisis: Why Carbon Data Isn’t Always Accepted

As carbon border regulations tighten worldwide, energy-intensive industries, such as steel, aluminum, and cement, face a growing challenge: proving the credibility of their carbon footprint data. Unfortunately, many companies still operate without access to internationally recognized background databases or consistent emission factors, creating serious compliance and trade risks.
The problem lies in fragmented carbon accounting systems. While global carbon reporting standards such as ISO 14067 emphasize traceable, life-cycle-based emission data, many developing or transition economies lack harmonized databases that meet these expectations. This creates a “carbon data recognition gap”where even well-intentioned reporting may be rejected across borders due to format, granularity, or lack of third-party verification.

Practical Tools and Partnerships That Work

The digital carbon management platforms like CLIMATE VERITAS, can offer integration with internationally aligned carbon data structures. These tools help companies align their product-level emission reports with global expectations—without building systems from scratch.
Another important step is partnering with accredited verification bodies. The data being checked by the third-party, can not only enhance credibility, but also smooth the process of international data acceptance, especially in complex, multi-tier supply chains.

From Risk Management to Competitive Advantage

Finally, forward-looking enterprises should actively engage in data standardization efforts. By contributing to open datasets or joining global carbon data collaboration networks, companies can help shape evolving norms while preparing their own systems for long-term success.
In a world moving toward full-chain carbon transparency, strong data isn’t just about compliance, it’s about competitiveness.

More Resources

CBAM certificate is the only legal voucher for EU carbon cost offset, requiring report-verification-purchase-write-off process; centralized sales start Feb 2027 (priced with EU ETS), settlement by Sep 30, full repurchase by Oct 31, unused 2-year-old certificates cancelled Nov 1 (no compensation).

CBAM

The EUDR-China-EU trade report (Fern-supported, BellaTerra-written) notes compliance core is supply chain control & traceability; classifies non-core (soybean for domestic use) and core industries (wood products exported to EU), and lists 3 compliance key points.

EUDR

Practical guide for enterprise carbon footprint quantification data, defining 6 core categories, regulating primary/secondary data use, offering 5-step collection framework & quality principles, adapting to CBAM, carbon labeling and ISO 14067, enabling efficient carbon data compliance.

Carbon Footprint

The final EU CBAM transition period reporting window is closing, the last drill before "taxation and compliance" phase; transition needs quarterly reports without payment, full phase requires carbon tariffs with reduced free allowances, dual responsibilities, mandatory verification, stricter penalties; enterprises confirm 6 products, strengthen data traceability, cooperate with EU importers.

CBAM

The core of EUDR compliance is establishing a low-cost and confidential evidence system, following the data minimization principle. It requires providing necessary data around three core issues, clarifying data boundaries and transmission norms, and avoiding compliance and confidentiality misunderstandings.

CBAM