May 13, 2008 - Top companies including Ford, Alcoa, and Wal-Mart have launched a new climate reporting registry in Brazil.

The Brazil GHG Protocol Program will serve as a voluntary registry of corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, similar to the Climate Registry in North America. Corporate participants will log their annual emissions based on the standardized framework of the GHG Protocol, with the information made available to the public online. The companies will also receive training on international best practices in GHG accounting and management.

The 12 founding corporate members are: Alcoa, Anglo American, Arcelor Mittal, Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, CNEC, Copel, Ford, Grupo Abril, Natura, Nova Petroquímica, O Boticario, Petrobras, Sadia, Votorantim, and Wal-Mart Brasil.

Brazil’s GHG emissions are the fifth highest in the world, and the carbon intensity of its economy grew 17% from 1990 to 2002.

North America's Climate Registry has grown steadily since it was launched last year. The voluntary organization counts major corporations including Alcoa, PG&E, and Shell Oil among its 54 founding members.