Credible Carbon: Verifying Emissions Data Across the Global Value Chain

As the global economy accelerates toward decarbonization, the need for accurate, reliable, and transparent carbon data has never been more critical. In a recent webinar, Finboot’s Strategic Advisor, Thomas Iseler, brought together three industry leaders—Geoffrey Cann, Juan Miguel Perez, and Shannon Katcher—to discuss the pressing challenges and transformative opportunities in carbon management and digital traceability.

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For energy producers, decarbonization isn't just about reducing emissions—it's about navigating complex, often conflicting regulations across regions like the European Union and North America, which makes trusted, verifiable data essential for accessing premium low-carbon markets. Innovative approaches like GTI Energy's Veritas project and Finboot’s blockchain-powered solutions are helping to bridge this gap, providing the reliable pathways needed to collect and verify emissions data, support decarbonization goals, and future-proof businesses against shifting climate regulations.

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Meet the Experts

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Geoffrey Cann is a leading figure in digital innovation for the energy sector, known for his deep understanding of how emerging technologies can drive both efficiency and sustainability. With a background as a former Deloitte consultant, he has authored 3 books including Bits, Bytes, and Barrels: The Digital Transformation of Oil and Gas and advised major industry players, including Exxon and Shell, providing strategic insights at the intersection of technology and energy.

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Juan Miguel Perez Rosas is the CEO and Co-founder of Finboot, a leader in blockchain innovation focused on digital traceability for transparent and efficient supply chains. A visionary in blockchain-enabled traceability and sustainability, he has been instrumental in integrating digital solutions that enhance supply chain transparency. With a background in engineering and a PhD in physics, Juan is also the host of Green Supply Chain Insights. 

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Shannon Katcher is the Vice President of Digital Innovation at  GTI Energy, a non-profit research organization focused on low-carbon solutions, where she leads GTI’s overall digital strategy. She oversees research, product development, modeling, and investment initiatives in data services and analytics for energy systems. Shannon has built and grown the Digital Innovation team, managing complex data and systems to drive technical advancements in the energy sector. She is responsible for integrating AI solutions to enhance research initiatives, operational efficiency, and innovation.

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The Importance of Accurate Carbon Data

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North America’s Data Challenge

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One of the biggest factors in decarbonization of the energy industry is that there's a lot of emerging regulation. There's a lot of decisions that are being made and it's difficult to make those decisions without having credible foundations to begin with. As Shannon points out, organizations are increasingly focused on improving data accuracy and transparency. However, the lack of standardized methodologies often leads to fragmented, unreliable data. Without a unified approach, businesses face challenges in proving their decarbonization efforts, risking credibility in the eyes of consumers, investors and regulators. Inconsistent data can undermine even the most ambitious climate commitments.

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In North America, these inconsistencies are not limited to state or national boundaries. They reflect broader global challenges, including varying technologies, data collection methods, and reporting frameworks. To overcome this, industry-wide collaboration is essential, along with the adoption of standardized methodologies that can align diverse measurement approaches. Initiatives like Veritas, led by GTI Energy, are playing a crucial role in addressing these gaps by pushing for standardization in carbon measurement protocols.

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Europe’s Lead in Credible Measurement

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Meanwhile, Europe is taking a more proactive stance on carbon transparency. As Juan Miguel notes, credibility is no longer optional for producers. European regulations, like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) demand hard evidence of low-carbon credentials, pushing companies to adopt robust verification systems. With Europe accounting for 77% of U.S. energy exports this year, American producers face significant pressure to meet these stringent standards or risk being locked out of one of their largest markets.

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Beyond regulatory pressure, market dynamics are also driving this shift. Buyers in sectors like aviation, automotive, and industrial manufacturing are increasingly demanding verified low-carbon products. For example, airlines with ambitious sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) targets and automotive OEMs looking to reduce the carbon footprint of their supply chains are leading the charge. This trend underscores the importance of evidence-backed data verification for maintaining competitive advantage and accessing premium markets.

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Veritas – A Framework for Accurate Carbon Data

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As the push for accurate carbon measurement intensifies, Veritas is emerging as a critical framework for establishing consistent, credible data across the entire energy value chain. Unlike traditional commodity markets, where quality can be measured at the point of sale, low-carbon fuels require more comprehensive, empirical measurements that capture emissions from production to consumption. This means integrating diverse data sources and agreeing on common standards from the wellhead to the end user.

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Veritas aims to fill this gap by providing clear methodologies and protocols for measuring carbon emissions, including guidelines on where and how to collect data, as well as how to account for uncertainty. This approach requires collaboration and consensus, from production to end use, on how to collect and transparently share this data. However, this is often complicated by small suppliers that operate under diverse local regulations, vary widely in their sustainability maturity, and frequently lack the tools to share credible data. That's why Finboot has integrated an ESG Rating & Benchmarking system for SMEs into MARCO Track & Trace.

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Veritas, by their side, promotes a flexible, multi-technology strategy to collect measurements in order to create a more accurate picture of carbon intensity. This comprehensive approach allows a range of technologies, each with its own strengths and limitations. Continuous monitoring devices can capture site-level emissions in real time, drones and aircraft provide mid-scale measurements over larger areas, and satellites offer a global perspective. The real challenge lies in reconciling this diverse data into a single, credible dataset that can support regulatory compliance and market transparency. 

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Digital Traceability as a Solution

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Digital traceability platforms, like Finboot’s MARCO Track & Trace, are emerging as critical tools for scaling emissions verification in the energy sector. Juan Miguel emphasizes that these platforms act as a connective layer that can integrate diverse data sources across complex industrial ecosystems, so they provide a tamper-proof, transparent, and auditable record of emissions data.

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For instance, a recent collaboration between Finboot with Repsol (a global multi-energy provider) and Navantia (a multinational shipbuilder) demonstrated the power of digital traceability. By fully tracing the lifecycle of a maritime sustainable fuel from production to consumption, the project revealed a significant emissions reduction gap. Batch-specific data showed a 28% reduction in emissions, compared to just 20% when using generic estimates—an 8% improvement that underscores the value of accurate, real-time data.

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However, to scale this approach effectively, a strong digital infrastructure is essential. Relying on manual data management can quickly become a significant barrier, reducing the potential returns from low-carbon investments. By adopting off-the-shelf digital solutions, companies can automate data capture and verification, providing trusted emissions data that boosts their credibility in premium markets and supports their broader decarbonization goals.

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Overcoming Challenges in Carbon Data Systems

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As the drive for accurate carbon data gains momentum, significant challenges remain. As explained at the beginning, one of the biggest hurdles is scalability. While many organizations have invested in data measurement and traceability, moving these efforts from isolated pilots to fully integrated systems is no small feat. It requires consistent methodologies, regulatory support, and digital tools that can bridge the gap between legacy systems and modern data requirements.

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Juan Miguel adds that one of the most significant barriers is the perceived cost of upgrading outdated digital infrastructure. Many companies still rely on siloed legacy systems that are costly to modify, creating a misconception that digital innovation is very expensive. However, solutions like MARCO Track & Trace are proving that agile, flexible technologies can streamline data integration, reducing overheads and simplifying compliance. Juan also suggests that a hybrid approach—combining continuous monitoring technologies, blockchain-powered traceability, and legacy systems—will be essential for ensuring the integrity of carbon data. The real challenge lies in creating a seamless system where data flows effortlessly from point A to point Z, ensuring that the carbon footprint of a product is verifiable at every stage of its lifecycle. Early adopters of these digital systems stand to gain a significant competitive edge.

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Looking Ahead

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The shift towards real-time, verifiable carbon reporting means moving away from traditional, static annual sustainability reports towards more continuous, real-time data gathering and validation. From a regulatory perspective, while there is currently divergence between EU and North American regulations, Juan Miguel remains hopeful for long-term convergence. However, he cautions that companies cannot afford to wait for full alignment before acting. They need to navigate the complexities of current geopolitical tensions and take proactive steps now. 

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Shannon, reflecting on the North American perspective, agrees that demand for credible carbon data is already strong, driven not only by regulation but also by financial motivations that enhance market credibility for low-carbon fuels. She emphasizes that organizations have made significant investments in demonstrating their low-carbon commodities, and this momentum is unlikely to slow down. 

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At Finboot, we believe that digital traceability is not merely a technical innovation but a critical enabler of trustworthy carbon accounting. By partnering with leaders, we are helping companies build the transparency required to achieve their climate goals, navigate complex compliance landscapes, and drive impactful climate action. Contact us here to learn more.

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