Greenhouse Gas Emissions Verification

With the Introduction of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) in 2005, verification of greenhouse gas emissions has become mandatory for those who fall within the scheme. Phase I of the scheme (2005-2008) included the large energy providers and high energy consumers. However, Phase II (2008 - 2012) has expended to include other industries and high emitters.

BSI undertakes verification for baseline and annual emissions as required under the EU ETS. We are one of only a handful of verification bodies who are accredited to out this activity.

We also undertake independent verification for organisations who voluntarily report on their Carbon Footprint.

Understanding GHG inventory techniques, emissions verification and emissions trading is fundamental to any organization wishing to manage greenhouse gases. Our approach will help you to identify opportunities for energy consumption savings and process improvement, whilst demonstrating the objectively assessed measurements which key stakeholders are demanding.

There are a range of benefits associated with undertaking third-party verification of GHG emissions:

• Financial
  Independent verification allows the organization to participate in emissions trading schemes such as the EU ETS.
• Credibility
  Third party verification provides a degree of credibility when it comes to reporting and publishing environmental information. This has implications for interested parties such as employees, customers, brokers, shareholders and insurance companies.
• Integrity
  Independent verification provides assurance to your stakeholders that the verified data is faithfully represented, contains no material misstatements, is consistent and has been collected and analyzed in a transparent and reliable manner.
• Transparency
  Reporting externally verified GHG emissions data demonstrates your commitment to environmental transparency and accountability. A GHG emission report may form part of a public or corporate environmental or sustainability report and be a step towards ‘Green Governance’.
• Consistency
  Third-party emissions verification will ensure that your data is consistent according to set protocols. Using a unique process developed by our experienced GHG verification team, we will ensure that your data is accurate for the purpose for which it is designated.
• Reliability
  We have ensured that any third-party verification will produce reliable and faithful representation emissions data. Through accreditation under the UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) scheme EN 45011, we have achieved an important independent professional endorsement of our verification process.

Adding value through third-party verification

Third-party verification of GHG emissions provides significant added value for participating organizations. Undertaking the process towards verification will assist you in:

• Identifying opportunities for energy consumption savings
• Identifying opportunities for process improvement
• Providing a greater understanding of how different departments, functions and industrial processes interact
• Suggesting ways in which detrimental environmental impacts can be minimized
• Enhancing your corporate image
• Improving stakeholder perception
• Providing credible information to financial markets and insurance companies

We are experts in training and assessment and have a network of public and in-house courses dedicated to teaching you the skills you need before, during and after registration to the standard.

For further information about specific training on this subject, please call us on
(+44) (0)845 086 9000 or enter your details in our enquiry form.

Verification is the process for ensuring that reported GHG emission figures are accurate and our approach will ensure emissions reports are credible, faithfully represented, transparent, consistent and reliable.

We apply the following process:

1. Strategic analysis - enables us to gain an overview of the project activities and an understanding of the significance of emissions
2. Process analysis - an on-site verification of information, involving spot checks to determine data reliability
3. Risk analysis – verifies risk control methods, minimizing uncertainty and evaluating the reliability of data from each source
4. Our report - specifies the issues uncovered in the verification work and will provide a qualified opinion that reported emissions are not materially misstated

We have extensive international experience in:

• Accredited ETS verifications
• Group or industry sector-based verifications
• Multi-site, process-based installations

If you are seeking a competitive quotation for verification of your organization’s greenhouse gas emissions, please get in touch.

If you’re already one of our clients and have various standards in place, your Client Manager can help you assess where you are now, and guide you through to the verification process.

If you’re new to BSI, don’t worry, it’s still a simple process.

1. Make contact

Get in touch and tell us what you need, so we can sort out the best services for you. We’ll then give you a proposal detailing the cost and time involved in verifying your greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Meet your GHGEV team

We’ll assign you a Client Manager, who will be your main point of contact through the process – and beyond. They’ll understand your business area and will support you as you hone your measurement skills and move on to submit your annual emissions to your stakeholders.

Next steps

For further information or a "quick quote" please call us on (+44) (0)845 080 9000. Alternatively enter your details into our enquiry form and one of our advisors will contact you.