Defining ISO 14064-1 and Its Benefits

Verify your organizational carbon footprint with an ISO 14064-1 verification audit.

In a world increasingly focused on combating climate change, quantifying and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals at the organizational level has never been more crucial.

What is carbon footprint verification?

Carbon footprint verification (CFV) involves collecting data on emissions from your organization's activities, products and services, and then independently verifying its accuracy. This process not only provides credibility to your carbon footprint claims but also helps you understand how to reduce and offset emissions effectively.

CFV is essential to providing credibility and reassuring stakeholders that your carbon footprint is accurate, absolute and compliant with major GHG reporting standards.

Why measure your carbon footprint?

Measuring your carbon footprint enables you to:

• Manage carbon risks and identify improvement areas
• Prepare for future GHG legislation
• Reduce costs and increase efficiency through lower energy consumption
• Enhance credibility and environmental responsibility
• Encourage employee involvement in reduction efforts

What is ISO 14064-1?

ISO 14064-1 verification offers a comprehensive solution for businesses committed to environmental sustainability.

This international standard provides a robust framework for organizations to measure, manage and report their carbon footprints, aligning with global efforts to achieve net zero by 2050. ISO 14064-1 requirements cover the design, development, management, reporting and verification of an organization’s GHG inventory. It also provides a framework for quantifying and reporting carbon emission performance to support sustainable development through a low-carbon economy.

What are the benefits of ISO 14064-1 verification?

Verification follows successful completion of an audit. It allows you to:

• Gain a clear understanding of your organization's GHG emissions and removals
• Enhance the integrity and accuracy of your GHG quantification
• Develop and implement effective GHG management and reduction strategies
• Develop and implement mitigation actions through emissions reductions or removals
• Track and showcase progress in lowering GHG emissions
• Participate in voluntary GHG registries and sustainability reporting initiatives
• Engage in GHG trading markets and pursue carbon neutrality
• Align your business practices with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 9 and 13

What are the verification steps?

As per ISO 14064-3, our verification steps are:

1. Verification planning: we perform a document review, strategic analysis and risk assessment, and develop an evidence-gathering and verification plan
2. Execute verification activities: we conduct on-site verification and assess changes to the GHG statement
3. Complete verification activities: we evaluate the GHG statement, conclude and draft an opinion, and prepare a verification report
4. Independent review
5. Issue the opinion

A range of complementary training

We offer a range of complementary training services, including:

• Module 1 – Introduction to Carbon Accounting and Reporting Training Course
• Module 2 – ISO 14064-1 and GHG Protocol Training Course (Integrated)
• Module 3 – ISO 14064-3 Training Course (GHG Verification and Validation)
• Modules 1-4 – Greenhouse Gases Lead Verifier Training Course
• Preparing GHG Balance Sheets in Accordance with RED ll Training Course

We provide impartial and objective verification services against the ISO 14064-1 standard. Our team of professional carbon experts ensures that your GHG statements are credible, consistent and transparent.

We follow ISO 14064-3's principles rigorously, assessing everything from emission sources to the integrity of your GHG information management system. Our verification not only attests to the accuracy of your emissions reporting but also enhances your market reputation for environmental responsibility.

Take a step toward validating your commitment to a sustainable future with SGS. Contact us today to discuss your ISO 14064-1 verification needs and embark on your journey toward effective carbon management.

About SGS

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.