The state today said it will participate in a new voluntary standard for reporting greenhouse gas emissions in North America.

The Climate Registry's new General Reporting Protocol is a comprehensive guideline outlining a common standard for reporting corporate, governmental and other greenhouse gas emissions data that is consistent across industry sectors and borders.

"We are proud to be an integral part of the formation of The Climate Registry and encourage our local corporations and organizations to join this early effort taking action on climate change by measuring and publicly reporting their greenhouse gas emissions to the Registry," said Laurence Lau, Deputy Director for Environment Health, and Hawai'i's registry board member.

The General Reporting Protocol is significant because it defines how voluntary reporting entities calculate, verify, and publicly report greenhouse gas emissions. The protocol document incorporates public comments from workshops conducted throughout North America.

Gov. Linda Lingle acted to make Hawai'i a founding member of The Climate Registry in April 2007. The registry includes 39 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, three Native American tribes, seven Canadian provinces, and six Mexican states, and is governed by a board of directors.

For more information visit: www.theclimateregistry.org .