TCAT Releases Updated Version of the Mitigation Action Accounting and Reporting Guidance and Target Accounting and Reporting Guidance 

In Fall 2025, TCAT released the first versions of its Mitigation Action Accounting and Reporting Guidance (MAARG) and the Target Accounting and Reporting Guidance (TARG). These guidance documents provide an assurance-ready, standardized framework for companies to report GHG-related activities, GHG targets, and track changes over time. 

Following the release of the first versions of these guidance documents (V1), TCAT conducted a corporate pilot, inviting corporations to review, test, and provide feedback. After the pilot, the TCAT team consolidated the feedback received and produced updated versions of both documents. These new, updated guidance documents are referred to as V1.1 and are now available on TCAT’s website. 

The changes in the guidance documents range from small (e.g. readability and light text changes) to more consequential, such as updating the template reporting formats. Overall, the purpose of the V1.1 update is to improve the usability of the guidance. Future versions of the guidance will aim to make more substantial technical updates and expand into themes it has not yet covered. 

For a recap of the changes made in V1.1, see below.

Updates Reflected in Version 1.1

Across both documents: 

  • General readability updates: Based on feedback from the pilot companies, the TCAT team updated language, provided clearer examples, or added more details around areas where pilot participants shared that additional clarity would be useful. 

  • Optional public disclosure: In both documents, the TCAT team made it clear that public disclosure of the reports generated from the TCAT documents is voluntary and at the discretion of the reporting entity. 

  • Biogenic emissions: In both documents, TCAT provided additional detail on how biogenic emissions should be treated. In the MAARG, the TCAT team noted that companies with biogenic emissions have the option to report them alongside the five TCAT statements. The TARG now acknowledges this, but notes that it does not provide guidance on how to incorporate biogenic emissions into targets. 

Updates specific to the Mitigation Action Accounting and Reporting Guidance (MAARG): 

  • Mitigation Action Test: In TCAT’s Mitigation Action Test, language was added to further clarify how the test may be applied differently to activities that are “certificated” compared to activities that are “not certificated”. Additionally, some language, definitions, and examples were updated to provide more clarity on how to apply the test. 

  • Advanced & Indirect Mitigation (AIM) Platform Alignment: Throughout the document and where possible, TCAT aligned with the AIM Platform Standard & Guidance for users who are applying both AIM and TCAT to their reporting. In certain cases, TCAT updated its own language to match AIM’s or referenced AIM for additional guidance on topics TCAT does not cover.

Updates specific to the Target Accounting and Reporting Guidance (TARG): 

  • MAARG Alignment: Language has been refined to better reference the synergy between the MAARG and the TARG. The guidance clarifies that while the target reports use the Mitigation Action Report (MAR), the guidance for developing the MAR can be found in the MAARG.

  • Guidance for Existing Targets: The Base Year section now includes new guidance for handling base years established prior to TCAT implementation. This includes using MAARG guidance to sort base year emissions, leaving non-relevant base year statements blank, and providing flexibility for entities facing onerous reporting burdens. Entities may choose full retroactive reporting for validation, or select a milestone for retroactive reporting to receive assurance for only the reported years.

  • Streamlined Base Year Emissions Report (BYER): Clarifying language was added indicating that the Base Year Emissions Report is equivalent to a Mitigation Action Report for that year. Users attach the Base Year’s Mitigation Action Report to the rest of the reports. 

  • Template Separation and Integration: New, distinct templates have been added to the appendix to split reporting requirements between intensity and absolute targets. Document language has been updated to clarify that assurance ready reporting involves the Mitigation Action Report, alongside the target reports. The Mitigation Action Report is to be attached for assurance purposes.

Currently, TCAT is at the midpoint of the second Pilot to test this updated guidance and facilitate discussion on topics that will inform future versions of the guidance. TCAT will conduct a Public Consultation on V1.1 of the guidance, and is seeking feedback from organizations and technical experts that may apply the guidance in their corporations or in broader policy making.