Certification of the carbon footprint of organizations

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Carbon footprint of organisation/events: calculation, reduction and offsetting and carbon neutral

Climate change has been identified as one of the greatest challenges facing nations, governments, industries and the public in the next few decades. In response, international, national, regional and local initiatives are being developed and implemented to limit concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the earth's atmosphere. These initiatives addressing GHG are based on quantifying, monitoring, reporting and the verifying emissions and/or removing GHG.

The Carbon Footprint of an organisation/event is an instrument used to determine, assess and communicate the effect of the products, services and organisations on climate change.

ISO 14064

Currently, there are several standards, references and guides for calculating the Carbon Footprint of organisation/event, both in general and industry-wide, which are supported by various well-known public and private institutions. For example, GHG Protocol, ISO 14064, etc.

The object of verification is to provide independent assurance that the information submitted concerning greenhouse gas emissions, via the emissions report, is complete, i.e. accurate, coherent, transparent, and does not contain any significant discrepancies..

Carbon footprint calculation and verification of organisations or events involves:

• Calculated CO2: the carbon footprint is calculated based on internationally-recognised references, and the right to use the verification is granted on a yearly basis.
  
• Reduced CO2: the carbon footprint is calculated based on internationally-recognised references, and the organisation has to demonstrate that it has reduced its emissions.
  
• Carbon Offsetting: the carbon footprint is calculated based on internationally applicable specifications, and the tons of CO2 emissions are offset with carbon credits, such as VERs, CERs or other actions (for example, effective control of CO2).
  
• Carbon Neutral: the carbon footprint is calculated based on internationally applicable specifications, and the reduction of emissions is achieved through a target-driven carbon management plan. Excess emissions are offset through verified offsetting mechanisms. In this case, the reference currently in force is Standard PAS 2060:2014 (ISO standard in development).
  

Internal benefits for your organisation:

• Handling GHG risks and identifying opportunities for reduction.
  
• Public reporting and participation in voluntary GHG Programmes (for example, existing national registers).
  
• Participation in compulsory reporting programmes.
  
• Participation in GHG markets.
  

Benefits for your clients:

• Increasing the credibility, coherence and transparency of the quantitative assessment, monitoring and the GHG report.
  
• Recognition for early activity.
  
• Strengthening of the organisation as socially responsible.
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