• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • LOGIN
  • The Licensing LetterHOME
  • Book StoreBook Store
  • The Licensing LetterThe Licensing Letter - Join Now!
  • SourcebookLicensing Sourcebook - Join Now!
  • Deals and DataLicensing Deal & Data - Join Now!
  • Join TLL for FREE!
  • LOGIN
  •  

The Licensing Letter

  • Entertainment
  • Fashion
  • Lifestyle
  • Corporate
  • Metaverse
  • Premium Members
  • The Deal Sheet

Products of Change: New Methodology Unveiled to Measure Greenhouse Gas Emissions

July 10, 2025

Article Submitted by POC Editor Kathryn Brand

Products of Change (POC) and South Pole, a carbon asset developer and climate consultancy, have developed a comprehensive methodology to allow the brand and licensing industry to more accurately measure its GHG footprint, and therefore more assuredly begin its journey of reduction.

The process included consultation with key industry stakeholders: LEGO Group, Disney, BBC Studios, Paramount, Jamie Oliver Group, Manchester City FC, Microsoft, Formula E, Universal Music Group and ASDA.

Helena Mansell-Stopher, founder and CEO of POC, commented, “As brand owners begin to track and disclose their environmental impact, they are now exploring the responsibilities tied to their licensed products. The existing guidance from the Greenhouse Gas Protocol under Category 14 does not account for the brand licensing business model.”

The reason for brand licensing’s omission from the GHG guidance seems remiss when its size is considered. The global sales revenue in the brand licensing sector reached $369.6 billion in 2024, marking a 3.7% growth from the 2023 figure of $356.5 billion.     

“We have been working as a cross-sector group over the past year to develop a comprehensive methodology. In October 2024, we proudly submitted our methodology to the World Resources Institute, with initial positive feedback. We hope that our approach will be adopted as part of the global Greenhouse Gas guidelines’ realignment in 2026,” said Helena Mansell-Stopher.

Krispy Kreme Soars with DC Superhero Doughnuts

POC and South Pole hosted four workshops, and multiple consultation calls with over 33 global brands as part of its research and consultation process for the methodology, including Universal Music Group, USPA Global, Netflix, Liverpool FC, Unilever, Mattel, Addo Play, TMSW, Warner Brothers, and Magic Light Pictures. The feedback from all these parties was used to refine the guidance into a practical and robust document.

“After I spent two weeks in Scope 3 workshops with super knowledgeable colleagues, trying to understand where licensing would fit into the reporting landscape, it was clear that nobody had thought about the licensing model in the protocol,” commented Sine Møller, sustainability transformation director, LEGO, a major contributor to this body of work. “My frustrations gave me the clarity that resulted in me calling Helena, to say ‘it simply can’t be right, but nobody has thought this through. Let’s talk to [industry] peers because this is exactly the purpose of POC—pulling the industry together to do something meaningful.’”

The importance of accurate data reporting in the brand and licensing industry is essential, given its size and consequential environmental impact. The top ten global brand owners in 2023, with a combined value of USD $249.2 billion, represent 29 million metric tonnes of GHG emissions. However, with the lack of robust guidance for reporting emissions related to brand licensing activities, this figure is likely underestimating the scale of the issue.

Not only is it an environmental and ethical necessity to accurately report emissions, but it is a strategic business decision and will become more so as further climate disclosure legislation comes into effect. As reporting requirements grow, without robust data, companies cannot effectively develop and act on decarbonisation strategies. Sally Mills, head of sustainability, BBC Studios, commented, “Collaborating with the industry to align on emission calculation principles is important to provide transparency and support action.”

Moonvalley Launches ‘Ethical AI’, Amid Concerns Over Copyright in AI Training

Courtney Ward-Hunting, sustainability manager, Jamie Oliver Group, added, “It’s been a pleasure collaborating with Products of Change, South Pole, and other leading brands to develop our shared recommendations for calculating, simplifying, and standardising GHG emissions in the brand and licensing sector. This work marks a major step forward in improving carbon reporting across the industry, and we’re excited to have played a part in this.”

Dr Tianzong Li, managing consultant and technical lead at South Pole, who co-led the development of the methodology together with Harini Manivannan, former managing consultant at South Pole, commented: “It has been a privilege to lead the technical development of this methodology and collaborate closely with stakeholders to ensure it is both scientifically robust and practical for implementation. Our shared vision is to see this guidance formally incorporated into the GHG Protocol: Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard, empowering the industry to implement it effectively. We are excited by the collective momentum behind this initiative and look forward to advancing efforts toward credible and standardised climate action.”

Helena Mansell-Stopher concurred that, “This work demonstrates the power of cross-sector collaboration—streamlining efforts for businesses while aligning the industry around its shared mission to reduce environmental impact. Our joint methodology will create far-reaching benefits for the global brand licensing community. At POC, this is exactly why we exist: to drive sustainable change, together.”

POC will continue to share updates about the progress and approval of this pioneering piece of work.

 

Filed Under: Editorial, Open Content, Top Story, TLL, Corporate, Recent Headlines, Worldwide, Archive, Articles, News & Trends, Non-profits, Featured Tagged With: Climate Change, Products of Change, Sustainable licensing, Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Primary Sidebar

Download Current Issue

Current Issue

The Deal Sheet

The Deal Sheet

Free Reports

    • 2025 Licensing Agency Guide
    • How to Register Your Trademark
    • 2021 Licensing Industry Survey Results
    • Rise of the Virtual Influencer
    • Licensing in the Metaverse
    • Why NFTs and Licensing Don’t Mix

Latest Sourcebook Contacts

    • James Stevens, James Ellis Stevens, Owner
    • Isabel Atherton, Victoria Beckham, Licensing and Brand Partnerships Mgr
    • Jason Richardson, Bad Birdie Golf , Founder and CEO
MORE CONTACTS
Sourcebook listings verified this week: 40

Sayles Winnikoff Communications
Licensing Works

Try TLL PRIME

Try TLL PRIME

Get Noticed with TLL!

Advertise with The Licensing Letter

Footer

Return to the Top

The Deal Sheet
Submit a Property to the Deal Sheet
Enhance Your Deal Sheet Listing

Download the Current TLL issue
TLL Monthly Magazine Archive
Licensing Sourcebook Online
Licensing Deals & Data
Advertise in TLL
Download Media Kit 2025

Create a FREE Sourcebook Listing
Edit Your Sourcebook Listing
Suggest a Sourcebook Listing
Report a Bad Sourcebook Listing
Become a Sourcebook Member

Search by Topic
Search for Contacts
Search for Deals
Search for Data

Become a TLL Premium Member
Download a Sample Issue of TLL
Renew your TLL Membership
Manage Your Account

Contact TLL
About TLL
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
Give Us Feedback


Copyright © 2025 Plain Language Media, LLLP • 1-888-729-2315

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in