
GHG verification services
We independently assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to confirm the accuracy, reliability, and completeness of carbon neutrality reporting.What is GHG verification?
Greenhouse gas verification is an independent assessment of greenhouse gas emissions for businesses, projects, and products. This confirms the accuracy, reliability, and completeness of carbon neutrality reporting. TÜV SÜD’s GHG validation services align corporate practices with global standards. This ensures that stakeholders such as regulators, investors, and the public can trust reported emissions, as they adhere to relevant standards, guidelines, or regulations.
Why GHG verification is important
GHG verification is important due to following reason:
1. Ensures Accuracy and Credibility
- Verification helps organizations confirm that their reported GHG emissions data is accurate, reliable, and free from errors or manipulation.
- This builds trust among stakeholders, including regulators, investors, and customers.
2. Regulatory Compliance
- Many governments and international bodies require organizations to verify their emissions to comply with environmental laws and carbon reduction commitments.
- For example, businesses participating in cap-and-trade programs or carbon tax regime must provide verified emissions reports.
3. Supports Sustainability Goals
- Companies committed to sustainability and use GHG indicators as their reporting indices, use GHG verification to track progress toward carbon neutrality and net-zero targets.
- Verified data helps businesses make informed decisions on reducing their carbon footprint.
4. Enhances Corporate Reputation
- Organizations that verify their emissions demonstrate transparency and accountability, strengthening their reputation and competitive advantage.
- Consumers and investors increasingly prefer companies that take climate action seriously and also use an independent third party over self-claim statement.
5. Reduces Financial and Legal Risks
- Inaccurate or misleading emissions reporting can result in fines, legal consequences, and most importantly reputation risk like loss of investor and public confidence. Verification minimizes these risks.
The challenges of GHG verification
Regulatory compliance complexity
Businesses must navigate a complex and evolving regulatory landscape with varying GHG reporting standards across regions.
High cost and resource intensity
Financial investment and internal resources are required. Hiring third-party verifiers and implementing data audits and monitoring systems can be costly.
Data accuracy and quality control
Varied sources, measurement techniques, and human error make accurate emissions tracking data difficult and labour-intensive.
Supply chain emissions accountability
Supply chain emissions are difficult to verify due to limited access to suppliers' data and inconsistent reporting practices, limiting comprehensive reporting.
Verification timing and reporting cycles
Aligning GHG validation and verification with reporting cycles can impact the ability to meet reporting deadlines, affecting credibility with stakeholders.
Market pressures for carbon neutrality
There is growing pressure from consumers, investors, and regulatory bodies to reduce emissions, achieve carbon neutrality, and ensure that claims are credible.
Risk of greenwashing and reputation management
Failing to verify emissions data accurately can lead to accusations of greenwashing, damaging reputation and stakeholder trust.
Technical expertise and knowledge gaps
Organisations often lack internal expertise to carry out thorough greenhouse gas verification and validation, particularly in complex industrial operations.
How TÜV SÜD can help you with GHG verification
TÜV SÜD’s impartial GHG verification and validation services are globally recognised. Our rigorous standards ensure your environmental transparency and integrity, helping you to build trust with your investors and stakeholders. We have delivered GHG verification and validation services for many years, so our streamlined processes help you to save time and costs. Our experts sit on many global standards committees, ensuring we are up to date with the latest developments so that you stay ahead of evolving regulatory requirements.
What our GHG verification services include
TÜV SÜD provides validation services across corporate, project, and product footprints, following standards like ISO 14064, ISO 14067, and the GHG Protocol. We tailor our solutions to support specific sector requirements, such as aviation (ACA, CORSIA) and transportation (ISO 14083). This dedicated expertise helps you to address a broad range of regulatory requirements and market expectations.
Our GHG verification services include:
- Supply chain audits – Scope 3 emissions verification, facilitating transparent supply chain assessments.
- Corporate GHG footprint – ISO 14064-1 – Corporate carbon footprint.
- Project GHG footprint – ISO 14064-2 – Emission reduction projects .
- Product GHG footprint – ISO 14067 – Product carbon footprint.
- GHG Protocol verification.
- ISO 14083 transportation chain emissions verification.
- ISO 14068-1:2023: Climate change management – Transition to net zero – Part 1: Carbon neutrality verification.
- PCF-Calculator – Validation of Methodology.
- Aviation programme – Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) and Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
- ISO 14040/ISO 14044 LCA Critical Review.