Greenhouse Gas (GHG) verification under ISO 14064 and the GHG Protocol involves rigorous processes to ensure accurate and credible reporting of greenhouse gas emissions.
ISO 14064
ISO 14064 is a part of the ISO 14000 family of standards for environmental management and specifically focuses on greenhouse gases. It is divided into three parts:
- ISO 14064-1: Specification with guidance at the organization level for quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals.
- ISO 14064-2: Specification with guidance at the project level for quantification, monitoring, and reporting of greenhouse gas emission reductions or removal enhancements.
- ISO 14064-3: Specification with guidance for the validation and verification of greenhouse gas assertions.
GHG Protocol
The GHG Protocol is a widely used international accounting tool that provides standards and guidance for companies and other organizations to measure and manage their GHG emissions. It includes two main standards:
- Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard
- Project Protocol
Verification Process
Both the ISO 14064 and GHG Protocol emphasize the importance of third-party verification to ensure that GHG assertions are accurate and credible. Verification typically involves:
- Planning: Establishing the verification scope and objectives.
- Data Collection and Review: Gathering evidence to support the GHG assertions.
- Site Visits and Audits: Conducting on-site inspections to verify data accuracy.
- Final Report: Providing a verification statement, which includes findings, recommendations, and the level of assurance provided.
Verification helps ensure the reliability of GHG data, which is crucial for stakeholders, including investors, regulators, and customers, who rely on this information for decision-making.