The Open Group, a vendor-neutral technology and standards organization, has released Edition 1.0 of the Open Footprint® Standard. This new standard is designed to streamline scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions reporting for organizations by providing the first open emissions data model that addresses all three scopes within a comprehensive framework.
The standard enables organizations to collect and standardize data across their value chains and report efficiently across multiple jurisdictions. Steve Nunn, President and CEO of The Open Group, stated that the initiative aims to reduce the manual effort involved in capturing supply chain data, converting it, and reporting to various regulators, thereby removing friction and lowering costs while helping identify emissions reduction opportunities.
Key features of the Open Footprint Standard include standardized emissions data definitions and relationships, simplified data sharing and interoperability across supply chains, and capabilities for reporting against multiple GHG emissions regulations such as CSRD, CA SB 253, and ISSB. The standard also aligns with WBCSD PACT V3 Product Carbon Footprints, GHG Protocol, and ISO Standards.
Sammy Lakshmanan, Co-chair of the Open Footprint Forum, highlighted that large enterprises are increasingly focused on deriving value from carbon data and applying AI within modern, integrated data architectures. Lakshmanan noted that the Open Footprint Standard serves as a foundational element for building an AI-ready carbon management data structure, allowing organizations to prioritize business outcomes over data handling.
AJ Van de Voort, also Co-chair of the Open Footprint Forum, emphasized the importance of data integrity in emissions reporting. He stated that by standardizing how emissions data is captured and managed throughout its lifecycle, the standard facilitates the level of traceability and verification demanded by current regulatory landscapes and stakeholders.
The Open Footprint Standard is structured in two parts: part 1 outlines general data model requirements, and part 2 provides the data element dictionary. The Open Footprint Forum has also made available a set of JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) schema files to assist organizations in creating database instances using the Open Footprint Data Model structure.
Established as a global consortium, The Open Group supports business objectives through technology standards and open-source initiatives. It fosters collaboration among its diverse membership of over 900 organizations, including customers, suppliers, tool vendors, integrators, academics, and consultants across various industries.
