For a GHG inventory, GHG sources and - if available - GHG sinks must be identified and the emissions or removals quantified. What exactly companies can do is described in the ISO 14064-1 specification, which provides the appropriate framework for GHG accounting and its verification - and at the same time the basis for robust reporting.
GHG reporting - credible and transparent
Even if the contexts are actually more complex: In the public perception, companies from all sectors are significantly involved in global GHG emissions. Consumers are increasingly looking at the extent to which companies are credibly taking responsibility and, for example, driving down their CO2 emissions to reduce or even offset their corporate carbon footprint (CCF) in aggregate. ISO 14064-1 is aimed at all companies that want to do just that, regardless of their type and size.
The GHG inventory shows companies where they stand in terms of their contribution to climate change - and what measures need to be taken to move closer to the ideal of climate-neutral business. These include measures to reduce emissions in production, but also those to offset remaining emissions, e.g. by supporting climate projects through the purchase of credible carbon credits (certificates).
Verification of the GHG report
Beyond taking appropriate action, knowledge of one's corporate carbon footprint has increasing value for a company's external image - and reporting on it is increasingly becoming standard practice. Transparent reporting, however, requires a GHG inventory. If possible, this should be verified by an independent and qualified body such as DQS along ISO 14064-1. Verification is carried out according to the requirements of ISO 14064-3. All standards can be obtained from the ISO website.
Benefits from verification
There are numerous benefits from the verification of the greenhouse gas inventory, both in terms of ecological aspects and public perception:
- Increase of the ecological effectiveness and seriousness of the GHG quantification
- Increased credibility, consistency, and transparency of GHG quantification, monitoring, reporting, and verification with respect to the GHG footprint
- Facilitate management in the development and realization of GHG strategies
- Facilitate the development and implementation of measures to reduce GHG emissions or increase GHG removals
- Facilitate the evaluation or tracking of performance and progress toward reducing GHG emissions or increasing GHG removals
GHG Balance - Conclusion
The specification provides guidance for determining and publishing GHG inventories at the corporate level. The standard can be used as a basis for verifying a GHG inventory, which requires the preparation of a GHG report.
ISO 14064-1 is not a management system standard. Therefore, it does not follow the common basic structure (High Level Structure) of modern management systems such as ISO 9001 (quality) or ISO 14001 (environment), but has its own unique structure.
