Life Cycle Databases

This list of available third-party databases assists users in collecting data for product life cycle and corporate value chain (Scope 3) GHG inventories. A summary of each source — including data formats, accessibility, content, and transparency information — is available by clicking on the database link. The list is not exhaustive and the inclusion of a database in this list does not constitute an endorsement by the GHG Protocol. Some of the data in these sources may not be consistent with certain GHG Protocol standards. Before using a database, the user should review its documentation for transparency, completeness, and applicability to the GHG inventory for which the data is being collected. For example, a database may contain combustion-only emission factors that are not applicable to product life cycle GHG inventories. Data should also be evaluated using the data quality indicators described in the Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard (chapter 7) and the Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard (chapter 8). Users should select the highest-quality data available in the context of business objectives and the principles of relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, and accuracy. The databases included meet the following criteria: • They are able to be directly used by inventory developers (databases that require companies to also purchase consulting services or specific software tools to access them are not included). • They have a corresponding website where users can review source documentation and additional information.