Frequently Asked Questions

Our vision is to accelerate decarbonization through transparency on emissions in value chains. Today, systems are not adapted to support organizations in accessing consistent and comparable primary data from their suppliers. PACT provides the necessary infrastructure on a methodological and technological side to address this challenge. 

Better data will unlock various use cases that reinforce internal business decision-making and support corporate accountability. Transparency can in particular positively influence the bottom line, mitigate (climate-related) risk or drive competitive advantages. To take one example: Scope 3 reporting is increasingly likely to become mandatory. Through the work PACT is doing, you will be able to meet any regulatory requirements for transparency.

Together the Pathfinder Framework, Pathfinder Network and Pathfinder Ecosystem provide the necessary foundations for the creation of emissions transparency – they are our “holy grail”. The term “Pathfinder” describes the new paths being taken to resolve the emissions transparency challenge. The key deliverables in the three focus areas of PACT are therefore prefaced with the term “Pathfinder”.

No, on the contrary. Our industry-agnostic approach makes PACT unique – we are seeking to bring together different sectors under one joint helm, to ensure collaboration and alignment in a space where everyone must work together to resolve the challenge successfully.

PACT is hosted by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development - the premier global, CEO-led community of over 200 leading sustainable businesses working collectively to accelerate the system transformations needed for a net-zero, nature-positive and more equitable future.

All methodological and technological outputs are published for you to use. You can calculate your product emissions using the Pathfinder Framework or – if you are creating a solution – implement the technology specifications to connect to the Network.

The Pathfinder Framework provides industry-agnostic methodological guidance for the calculation of product-level emissions data. It also defines which data elements are exchanged within value chains

The Framework leverages and builds on existing standards and guidelines whenever possible, including the GHG Protocol Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard, the Scope 3 Standard or applicable ISO standards. The Pathfinder Framework provides specific calculation and allocation requirements to increase methodological consistency and hence comparability of data.

PACT also encourages more detailed product or sectoral rules to be developed to address the needs of particular industries.

The Framework is developed in a multi-stakeholder process, including WBCSD member organizations, industry initiatives, LCA experts, standard-setting and reporting bodies as well as governments and non-governmental organizations. PACT facilitates and leads this process.

The Pathfinder Network is a data exchange infrastructure that enables organizations to connect across value chains and industries to share product carbon footprint data. The Network creates interoperability between technology solutions and industry-focused data exchange platforms, meaning organizations are flexible in their choice of provider. It can be seen as a sort of convener or facilitator. In the simplest of terms, we aim is to create the “internet for emissions data” – the common nexus for all organizations to connect seamlessly, exchange and derive insights from emissions data.

No. The Pathfinder Network is a necessary piece of infrastructure underpinning the carbon accounting and data exchange system as a whole. In contrast to individual technology solutions or platforms, the Pathfinder Network is not designed to calculate carbon footprints or store data. You will always need to use a solution or platform to exchange data in the Network.

Interoperability refers to the ability of different systems to connect seamlessly, exchange information and understand the information exchanged. In the context of the Pathfinder Network, the term includes both semantic and technological aspects. Technological interoperability means that technology solutions can connect. Semantic interoperability means that both systems understand the format and meaning of the exchanged data and “speak the same language.”

The Network is currently being developed and tested. In a first major milestone, we completed an initial pilot for data exchange in May 2022, including six organizations using four different technology solutions. We aim to begin scaling up the Network now while continuing to develop core functionalities. 

The Pathfinder Network builds on the guidelines of the Pathfinder Framework, bringing the data exchange to life. It is therefore the technological counterpart of the Framework. Bringing these two elements together leverages synergies and ensures interoperability, consistency and comparability of data from the first stages of the network development process. 

No. We are defining the specifications, guidelines and profiles necessary to resolve the transparency challenge. For example, we have defined APIs which help connect technology solutions.

PACT may in the future operate minimal network infrastructure, to the extent necessary for and limited to fulfilling the essential objectives of our mission.

The Pathfinder Ecosystem is the group of stakeholders collaborating within PACT to drive emissions transparency. All individuals and organizations contribute in different ways, but each of these holds a core piece of the puzzle. PACT provides a joint forum for businesses, industry initiatives, standard-setting and reporting bodies, governments and non-governmental organizations to come together.

Building on existing elements, PACT focuses on ecosystem convergence and seeks to create maximum compatibility across industries, technologies and standards, minimizing effort for those trying to exchange emissions data.