ISO 14064 - Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Verification (Parts 1-3)

Establish information management procedures to ensure quality, traceability and retention of GHG inventory data and supporting evidence.

• data management procedure
• quality control checks
• retention schedule
• tool validation records

• spreadsheets without version control
• tool calculations not validated

Define and document organisational boundaries using a consolidation approach such as control (operational or financial) or equity share, applied consistently across reporting periods.

• boundary statement with rationale
• entity inventory
• restatement records when boundaries change

• joint ventures excluded without justification
• approach changed without restatement

Establish reporting boundaries by identifying direct (Category 1), indirect from energy (Category 2) and other indirect (Categories 3-6) emissions and removals.

• category register
• exclusions register with rationale
• mapping to GHG Protocol scopes if cross-referenced

• Category 3-6 dismissed without significance test
• exclusions undocumented

Quantify GHG emissions and removals using selected approaches, identifying sources and sinks, selecting methods and applying activity data and emission factors.

• quantification methodology document
• activity data with sources
• emission factor library with versions

• emission factor versions not pinned
• activity data without source citation

Establish a base year for comparison and recalculate when structural changes or methodology updates significantly affect the inventory.

• base year statement
• recalculation policy
• historical restatements

• no defined materiality threshold
• mergers not triggering recalculation

Assess uncertainty associated with the inventory including activity data, emission factors and quantification methods, and document the assessment.

• uncertainty assessment report
• Monte Carlo or tier-based estimates
• uncertainty register

• uncertainty stated only qualitatively
• not updated when methods change

Prepare a GHG report containing all required elements including organisational and reporting boundaries, methodologies, emissions by category and references.

• published GHG inventory report
• data tables by category
• methodology appendix

• report omits methodology details
• missing references for emission factors

Describes the organization's responsibilities when subjecting its GHG inventory to verification, including providing access to data and records.

• organisational boundary statement
• emission factor register
• monitoring plan
• verification statement

• gaps in verifier independence evidence
• unclear organisational boundary scope
• missing scope 3 categorisation

Requires assessment of the GHG inventory components to ensure they conform to GHG accounting principles.

• monitoring plan
• verification statement
• baseline scenario documentation

• gaps in verifier independence evidence
• unclear organisational boundary scope
• missing scope 3 categorisation

Requires establishment and maintenance of GHG information management procedures, including data collection, processing, and documentation.

• organisational boundary statement
• emission factor register
• monitoring plan
• verification statement
• baseline scenario documentation

• missing scope 3 categorisation
• weak data quality controls
• insufficient baseline justification
• gaps in verifier independence evidence

Requires implementation of quality management procedures to manage and improve the GHG inventory, including uncertainty assessment.

• verification statement
• baseline scenario documentation
• GHG inventory report
• organisational boundary statement
• emission factor register

• weak data quality controls
• insufficient baseline justification
• gaps in verifier independence evidence
• unclear organisational boundary scope

Specifies mandatory, recommended, and optional disclosures for GHG reports, including organizational description, boundaries, emissions data, and methodologies.

• organisational boundary statement
• emission factor register
• monitoring plan
• verification statement
• baseline scenario documentation

• missing scope 3 categorisation
• weak data quality controls
• insufficient baseline justification

Establishes GHG accounting principles including relevance, completeness, consistency, accuracy, and transparency for ensuring a true and fair account of GHG-related information.

• GHG inventory report
• organisational boundary statement
• emission factor register
• monitoring plan

• insufficient baseline justification
• gaps in verifier independence evidence
• unclear organisational boundary scope
• missing scope 3 categorisation
• weak data quality controls

Requires the organization to define its organizational boundaries using the control approach (operational or financial) or equity share approach.

• verification statement
• baseline scenario documentation
• GHG inventory report
• organisational boundary statement
• emission factor register
• monitoring plan

• gaps in verifier independence evidence
• unclear organisational boundary scope
• missing scope 3 categorisation

Requires classification of direct and indirect GHG emissions and removals associated with the organization's operations.

• emission factor register
• monitoring plan
• verification statement

• insufficient baseline justification
• gaps in verifier independence evidence
• unclear organisational boundary scope
• missing scope 3 categorisation

Requires selection and use of appropriate quantification methodologies, emission factors, and activity data for each category.

• GHG inventory report
• organisational boundary statement
• emission factor register
• monitoring plan
• verification statement
• baseline scenario documentation

• unclear organisational boundary scope
• missing scope 3 categorisation
• weak data quality controls
• insufficient baseline justification
• gaps in verifier independence evidence

Requires categorization of indirect emissions into categories: energy indirect, transportation indirect, product-related, and other indirect emissions.

• verification statement
• baseline scenario documentation
• GHG inventory report
• organisational boundary statement
• emission factor register
• monitoring plan

• unclear organisational boundary scope
• missing scope 3 categorisation
• weak data quality controls
• insufficient baseline justification
• gaps in verifier independence evidence

Describe the GHG project including objectives, project boundary, identified sources, sinks and reservoirs (SSRs) and baseline scenario.

• project design document
• SSR identification matrix
• baseline scenario analysis

• alternative baseline scenarios not analysed
• SSRs limited to project side

Quantify baseline GHG emissions and removals using justified procedures and data, with conservativeness applied where uncertainty is high.

• baseline calculation workbook
• data sources
• conservativeness rationale

• optimistic baselines
• data lifted from non-comparable projects

Define and implement a monitoring plan covering parameters, frequency, instruments, data management and QA/QC for project emissions and removals.

• monitoring plan
• calibration records
• data logs
• QA/QC procedures

• monitoring sensors not calibrated
• gaps in data not interpolated transparently

Prepare project reports describing GHG reductions or removal enhancements relative to baseline, methodology and monitoring outcomes.

• project monitoring report
• reduction calculations
• leakage analysis

• leakage assumed zero without analysis
• reports lack version history

For removal projects address permanence and reversal risk through buffer pools, monitoring duration and contingency arrangements.

• risk assessment for reversal
• buffer pool contribution records
• long-term monitoring agreements

• no plan for monitoring after crediting period
• buffer percentages not justified

Specifies principles and requirements for determining baselines for GHG projects designed to reduce emissions or enhance removals.

• emission factor register
• monitoring plan
• verification statement
• baseline scenario documentation
• GHG inventory report

• insufficient baseline justification
• gaps in verifier independence evidence
• unclear organisational boundary scope
• missing scope 3 categorisation

Requires identification of all relevant sources, sinks, and reservoirs (SSRs) for baseline and project scenarios.

• monitoring plan
• verification statement
• baseline scenario documentation
• GHG inventory report

• gaps in verifier independence evidence
• unclear organisational boundary scope
• missing scope 3 categorisation
• weak data quality controls

Requires selection and justification of the most reasonable baseline scenario representing what would occur without the GHG project.

• monitoring plan
• verification statement
• baseline scenario documentation
• GHG inventory report
• organisational boundary statement

• unclear organisational boundary scope
• missing scope 3 categorisation
• weak data quality controls

Requires quantification of GHG emission reductions relative to the baseline using approved methodologies.

• monitoring plan
• verification statement
• baseline scenario documentation

• weak data quality controls
• insufficient baseline justification
• gaps in verifier independence evidence
• unclear organisational boundary scope

Requires ongoing monitoring of the GHG project performance to verify emission reductions or removal enhancements.

• organisational boundary statement
• emission factor register
• monitoring plan
• verification statement
• baseline scenario documentation
• GHG inventory report

• missing scope 3 categorisation
• weak data quality controls
• insufficient baseline justification
• gaps in verifier independence evidence

Specifies reporting requirements including project description, baseline scenario, monitoring plan, and quantified results.

• GHG inventory report
• organisational boundary statement
• emission factor register

• missing scope 3 categorisation
• weak data quality controls
• insufficient baseline justification

The validation/verification body and team demonstrate competence, impartiality and independence, with documented technical reviews of conclusions.

• competence matrix
• independence declarations
• technical reviewer assignments

• team competence not matched to sector
• technical reviewer also on engagement team

Maintain records of validation and verification engagements with appropriate retention and confidentiality controls.

• records retention policy
• confidentiality agreements
• secure storage evidence

• client data on personal devices
• retention shorter than programme requirement

Apply principles of independence, ethical conduct, fair presentation, due professional care, conservativeness and materiality to validation and verification engagements.

• validation/verification policy
• independence declarations
• quality reviews

• independence threats not documented
• conservativeness applied inconsistently

Agree the level of assurance (reasonable or limited) and the materiality threshold with the engaging party, and design procedures accordingly.

• engagement agreement
• materiality memo
• risk-based plan

• materiality not quantified
• limited and reasonable assurance procedures conflated

Plan validation or verification activities based on strategic analysis, risk assessment and sampling plan.

• strategic analysis
• risk assessment record
• sampling plan
• engagement plan

• sampling not risk-based
• strategic analysis omitted for repeat engagements

Gather sufficient appropriate evidence including site visits, document review, interviews and analytical procedures.

• site visit records
• interview notes
• analytical procedure outputs
• working papers

• remote-only verification without justification
• working papers do not support conclusions

Evaluate the GHG statement or assertion against agreed criteria including ISO 14064-1 or 14064-2 and any programme-specific requirements.

• criteria reference document
• evaluation worksheets
• findings log

• programme-specific criteria not applied
• findings not categorised by severity

Issue a validation or verification statement with required elements including conclusion, scope, criteria, level of assurance and any qualifications.

• validation/verification statement
• technical review records
• approval signatures

• statements lack materiality disclosure
• scope wording inconsistent with engagement letter

Requires preparation of a formal validation or verification statement documenting findings and conclusions.

• monitoring plan
• verification statement
• baseline scenario documentation

• weak data quality controls
• insufficient baseline justification
• gaps in verifier independence evidence
• unclear organisational boundary scope

Requirements for selecting competent and impartial GHG validators or verifiers.

• monitoring plan
• verification statement
• baseline scenario documentation
• GHG inventory report
• organisational boundary statement

• weak data quality controls
• insufficient baseline justification
• gaps in verifier independence evidence

Requires establishing the level of assurance, objectives, criteria, and scope for validation or verification activities.

• emission factor register
• monitoring plan
• verification statement
• baseline scenario documentation
• GHG inventory report

• missing scope 3 categorisation
• weak data quality controls
• insufficient baseline justification
• gaps in verifier independence evidence
• unclear organisational boundary scope

Requires determining the approach for validation/verification including strategic and methodological planning.

• verification statement
• baseline scenario documentation
• GHG inventory report
• organisational boundary statement
• emission factor register
• monitoring plan

• weak data quality controls
• insufficient baseline justification
• gaps in verifier independence evidence
• unclear organisational boundary scope
• missing scope 3 categorisation

Requires evaluation of GHG data, information, information systems, and internal controls used in quantification and reporting.

• baseline scenario documentation
• GHG inventory report
• organisational boundary statement
• emission factor register

• missing scope 3 categorisation
• weak data quality controls
• insufficient baseline justification

Requires evaluating GHG assertions against criteria to form a validation/verification opinion.

• organisational boundary statement
• emission factor register
• monitoring plan

• gaps in verifier independence evidence
• unclear organisational boundary scope
• missing scope 3 categorisation
• weak data quality controls
• insufficient baseline justification