The ISO 14064 series of standards specify the internationally prevailing data compilation, detection, quantification, and validation and verification methods for GHG emissions for organizations and projects. These standards provide clarity and consistency, for reported GHG emissions and removals and facilitate higher quality attestations. ISO 14064 comprises three standards, defining specifications and guidance for the 1) organizational level, 2) project level, and 3) validation and verification of GHG statements.
Objective of ISO 14064
The objective of the ISO 14060 standards is to support sustainable development through a low-carbon economy and to benefit organizations, project proponents, and interested parties worldwide. These standards provide policy makers, GHG program developers, governments, businesses, regions, and other organizations with a set of tools to quantify, monitor, report and verify GHG emissions.
Applications of ISO 14060
The applications of the ISO 14060 family of standards include:
- Corporate decision-making, such as identifying emission reduction opportunities and increasing profitability by reducing energy consumption;
- Risks and opportunities management, such as addressing climate-related risks (financial, regulatory, supply chain, product and customer, litigation) and reputational risks;
- Voluntary initiatives, such as participation in voluntary GHG registries or sustainability reporting initiatives;
- GHG markets, such as the buying and selling of GHG allowances or credits; and
- Regulatory GHG programs, credits for early action, agreements, or national and local reporting initiatives.
Structure of ISO 14064
The ISO 14064 Standard is published in three parts:
- ISO 14064-1:2018 – Greenhouse Gases – Part 1: Specification With Guidance At The Organization Level for Quantification and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals specifies principles and requirements at the organization level for quantification and reporting of GHG emissions and removals. Part 1 includes requirements for the design, development, management, reporting, and verification of an organization’s GHG emissions inventory.
- ISO 14064-2:2019 – Greenhouse Gases – Part 2: Specification With Guidance At The Project Level for Quantification, Monitoring, and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions Or Removal Enhancements specifies principles and requirements and provides guidance at the project level for quantification, monitoring, and reporting of activities intended to create GHG emission reductions or removal enhancements. It includes requirements for planning a GHG project, identifying and selecting GHG sources, sinks and reservoirs relevant to the project and baseline scenario, monitoring, quantifying, documenting and reporting GHG project performance and managing data quality.
- ISO 14064-3:2019– Greenhouse Gases – Part 3: Specification With Guidance For The Verification and Validation of Greenhouse Gas Statements specifies principles and requirements and provides guidance for conducting or managing the validation and/or verification of GHG assertions. Part 3 can be applied to organizational or GHG project reporting, including GHG quantification and monitoring performed in accordance with ISO 14064-1 or ISO 14064-2.
ISO 14064 Greenhouse Gases Package is available on the ANSI Webstore and includes:
- ISO 14064-1:2018
- ISO 14064-2:2019
- ISO 14064-3:2019
- ISO 14065:2020– General Principles And Requirements For Bodies Validating And Verifying Environmental Information
- ISO 14066:2011– Competence Requirements for Validation Teams and Verification Teams (currently undergoing revision)
ANAB Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Accreditation
Accreditation is a third-party attestation related to a conformity assessment body, conveying demonstration of its competence, impartiality, and consistent operation in performing specific conformity assessment activities. The ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accredits organizations providing third-party validation and verification of GHG reductions and removals.
The ANAB Accreditation Program for Greenhouse Gas Validation/Verification Bodies operates according to ISO/IEC 17029:2019, Conformity assessment — General principles and requirements for validation and verification bodies and ISO 14065:2020, General Principles and Requirements for Bodies Validating and Verifying Environmental Information. ANAB works proactively with numerous GHG programs on the oversight of accredited validation and verification. These programs involve mandatory and voluntary programs, ISO 14064-1 or organizational reporting, and ISO 14064-2 or project-based reporting. These valued stakeholders include GHG programs such as The Climate Registry, Climate Action Reserve, American Carbon Registry, Verra, Gold Standard, The Federal Government of Canada, and Canadian provincial regulations (e.g., British Columbia GHG Emission Reporting Regulation and British Columbia GHG Emission Control Regulation), among others.
ANAB conducts a rigorous assessment of applicants to confirm whether their operational capability meets the requirements provided in the application materials, conforms to ISO/IEC 17029, ISO 14065, ISO 14064-3, and relevant GHG programs/registries for which the applicant seeks accreditation.
Learn more about ANAB accreditation for greenhouse gas validation and verification bodies (V/VBs).
