International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas Importers (GIIGNL) is a global non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the development of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) related activities, including purchasing, importing, processing, transportation, handling, regasification, and its various uses.


The Challenge: The need for credibility in carbon-neutral LNG

When “Carbon Neutral LNG” began trading globally, there was no standardized method to support claims across the LNG value chain. GIIGNL aimed to promote GHG reductions and establish a framework for consistent accounting of emissions and transparent carbon-neutral declarations.

GIIGNL sought ERM’s partnership due to our deep expertise in GHG accounting, prior experience in developing the underlying statement of GHG emissions (SGE) Methodology, and work with multi-stakeholder initiatives within the sector.

What ERM did: Building the first LNG-specific GHG Neutral Framework

ERM partnered with GIIGNL and worked with its Technical Task Force from 20 member organizations to design and deliver the industry’s first LNG-specific GHG Neutral Framework. The Framework builds on established GHG accounting methodologies to deliver verified and consistent quantification of emissions across the entire LNG lifecycle—from gas extraction and liquefaction to shipping, regasification, and end use.

A key innovation is the independently verified Cargo Statement, which sets out the GHG emissions intensity of an LNG cargo, as well as relevant decarbonization actions and mitigation via carbon offsets, providing both transparency and credibility.

  • First-of-its-kind framework
    Defined boundaries, methodologies, and accounting criteria for the GHG footprint of an LNG cargo with flexible options for making declarations on carbon offsetting and neutrality.
  • Collaborative approach
    Facilitated consensus among 20 industry stakeholders and piloted the implementation of the Framework with five organizations from across the LNG value chain to test global applicability and practicality.
  • Integrated reporting and verification process
    Introduced a transparent, standardized method for declaring GHG footprints and GHG-neutral LNG cargoes.
Quotation mark To fulfil the LNG industry’s critical and unique role in supporting the global economy to transition to net-zero emissions, it is imperative that our sector consistently and collaboratively accounts for emissions across the entire value chain. Quotation mark

Jean Abiteboul

Former President, GIIGNL

The Impact: Driving transparency and investor confidence

The published framework is the first LNG industry-specific GHG neutral framework, setting a common standard for quantifying the GHG emissions and making associated climate declarations for LNG cargo.

ERM has supported many LNG companies in implementing the Framework to enable the carbon intensity of LNG cargoes to be provided to customers. The Framework has been applied across the LNG value chain, helping the industry:

  • Deliver statements of GHG emissions with transparency and accountability.
  • Demonstrate consistency across the LNG value chain.
  • Build lender and investor confidence in carbon claims from the LNG sector.