The National Climate Assessment recently estimated the costs climate inaction would have to the U.S. economy. Such costs include slashing up to a tenth of gross domestic product by 2100.
However, optimism is growing. More than 50 climate change bills are in various states of readiness. While some proposals, such as the Green New Deal, have become the subject of partisan bickering, others show promise for collaboration. Experts agree the climate conversation will remain relevant, feeding into the upcoming 2020 election.
Achieving the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions required by these bills requires a coherent framework of rules and oversight. Validation and verification bodies (VVB) provide one level of oversight by assessing the accuracy of emissions claims. ANAB provides another level—through accreditation. ANAB accredits VVBs based on their ability to assess the accuracy of an emissions claim in conformance with international criteria. For example, ANAB accredits its VVBs to the requirements of ISO 14065, Greenhouse gases—Requirements for greenhouse gas validation and verification bodies for use in accreditation and other forms of recognition. Seventy international experts from 30 countries participated in the development of ISO 14065.
ANAB’s accreditation program has the respect and recognition of several voluntary and regulatory emissions reporting and offset programs. These programs partner with ANAB to accredit their VVBs because ANAB’s ISO 14065 framework provides them confidence that ANAB is ensuring the credibility of VVBs working under their programs.
Amid growing environmental concerns, ISO 14065 is expanding to address more than just GHG validation and verification. The standard will soon tackle validation and verification processes related to the carbon footprint of product, water, and funding mechanisms such as green bonds. ANAB is evaluating expansion of its accreditation program to include these other environmental arenas so it can continue legitimizing the important space of environmental claims.
