The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Carbon Measures have completed the constitution of a 20-member Technical Expert Panel (TEP) on carbon accounting, appointing a second and final cohort of specialists to guide the development of a global product-level emissions framework. The initiative aims to produce standardized, verifiable carbon data to inform trade, investment, and regulatory decision-making across industries and borders.
The newly appointed experts join 10 colleagues named earlier this year, bringing together leaders from academia, industry, finance, and climate policy. The full panel includes figures such as Dr. Hoesung Lee, former chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Peter Saling of BASF, and Alex Cantley from Shell, reflecting the group’s international composition and technical breadth.
ICC and Carbon Measures said the expansion exceeds the initial target by 25%, allowing the inclusion of additional globally recognized expertise.
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Andrew Wilson, ICC Deputy Secretary-General, described the completion of the panel as “a significant milestone in advancing a ledger-based carbon accounting framework,” noting that the diverse expertise would support coherent, practical guidance for markets and policy.
Amy Brachio, CEO of Carbon Measures, added that the panel would bring together academic research, corporate practice, and investor perspectives to ensure the system meets real-world operational and financial requirements.
The panel is tasked with developing an emissions accounting system capable of generating product-level data across global value chains. Its work will aim to provide actionable information for companies, regulators, and investors, enabling more transparent reporting and facilitating alignment with evolving sustainability requirements.
The first full meeting is scheduled for April, with an initial report on the current carbon accounting landscape expected by summer 2026.
African countries with export-oriented manufacturing and resource sectors increasingly face pressure from trade partners and international markets to disclose carbon footprints. Harmonized accounting standards could help African producers demonstrate compliance, access finance, and integrate into low-carbon value chains. Conversely, inconsistent methodologies risk creating barriers for smaller firms and complicating national climate reporting obligations.
According to the World Bank, accurate emissions data can influence both access to green finance and competitiveness in international markets, making standardized systems a potentially critical tool for African policymakers.
The panel’s work has received recognition in global climate forums, including COP 30, as part of efforts to harmonize carbon accounting standards and support coordinated policy action. S&P Global Energy will act as the panel’s knowledge partner, providing analytical infrastructure to underpin data accuracy and reliability.
The ICC represents more than 45 million companies worldwide and has a history of establishing international business standards, while Carbon Measures seeks to advance ledger-based carbon accounting frameworks that can underpin policy and market-based decarbonization solutions.
For African governments and enterprises navigating a global transition to lower-emission trade, the panel’s outputs could provide both technical guidance and a benchmark for regulatory and investment alignment.
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