Question 1

How are versions updated and what is included in each update?

Accepted Answer

Every annual CEDA version update integrates 2 types of changes:

Data changes: meant to capture the most recent and highest quality data available globally and across industries in order to keep track of important economic and emissions changes in the world.

Methodology improvements: meant to increase the robustness of the CEDA model and improve in sectors or regions that are most complex to estimate.

These changes are clearly identified and communicated to CEDA users with every release through our change log.

Question 2

Which industries and countries are covered in CEDA?

Accepted Answer

CEDA uses the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) code nomenclature, built on top of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) as the foundation of CEDA industry classifications. We have standardized this classification across all countries, so the list of 400 industries provided here is available for every one of the 148 countries and regions covered in CEDA.

Question 3

Is CEDA compliant with the GHG protocol and SBTi requirements?

Accepted Answer

Yes, CEDA follows the GHG Protocol minimum boundary conditions and is listed as one of the third party databases recommended by the GHG Protocol. In addition, CEDA follows SBTI requirements such as using a cradle to gate methodology, calculating transport emissions on a well-to-wheel basis and including all the seven GHGs. For companies setting SBTs, we recommend reaching out about Enterprise CEDA as this package includes land use change and land management emissions (FLAG), recently required by SBTi.

Question 4

If I am using a different spend-based database but I want to upgrade to CEDA, do I need to rebaseline?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the impact of the changes to your footprint and your significance threshold. Many CEDA users have transitioned in recent years in order to set a more robust baseline in which to track their targets. See an example from J Crew, publicly available on their 2023 ESG report here.

Question 5

I don’t consider my company to be global, why should I use a global database?

Accepted Answer

Regardless of where you are based, the world is increasingly interconnected and supply chains in particular rely on inputs from around the world (particularly China and India). Not including global environmental impacts on your supply chain, even if all your purchases are local, most probably will lead to undercounting emissions significantly. More information on the importance of multiregional carbon accounting is available on this academic paper developed by Watershed in collaboration with CDP and WWF.

Question 6

Where can I read more about your methodology?

Accepted Answer

You can ream more about the CEDA methodology in this documentation guide.

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