The ISO 14064 standard in general and ISO 14064-1, in particular, provide organizations and businesses with a clear framework for calculating and quantifying greenhouse gases, supporting effective emission reduction. Especially in the context of increasingly complex climate change and tightening legal requirements for environmental management, more and more organizations are proactively seeking solutions to monitor and report greenhouse gas emissions to improve their emission management capabilities.

ISO 14064-1 standard on greenhouse gas inventory and emission reporting

CONTENT:

1. What does the ISO 14064 Greenhouse Gas Standard System include?

ISO 14064 is the International Standard for GHG Emissions Inventories and Verification, developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It provides specific guidelines for measuring, monitoring, reporting, and verifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of organizations and businesses. This standard aims for sustainable development by establishing a low-carbon economy, while benefiting organizations, individuals proposing greenhouse gas projects, and stakeholders interested in environmental protection worldwide.

The ISO 14064 standard is divided into three main parts:

• ISO 14064-1: Provides guidelines on setting emission boundaries, determining greenhouse gas quantities, and preparing emission reports at the organizational level. This version helps organizations quantify GHG emissions from their activities and develop emission management strategies. The latest version is ISO 14064-1:2018, issued in December 2018.

• ISO 14064-2: Focuses on projects aimed at reducing GHG emissions or enhancing greenhouse gas removal. It provides requirements and guidelines for monitoring, reporting, and verifying GHG emissions in specific projects. The latest version is ISO 14064-2:2019, issued in April 2019.

• ISO 14064-3: Provides principles and requirements for verifying and validating GHG emission reports, including reports from emission reduction projects and organizational level reports. It helps ensure transparency, accuracy, and reliability of emission information. The latest version is ISO 14064-3:2019, issued in April 2019.

The ISO 14064 greenhouse gas standard includes three main parts

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2. Which standard is the most important in the ISO 14064 system?

In the ISO 14064 system, all three standards (ISO 14064-1, ISO 14064-2, and ISO 14064-3) are equally important because they serve specific purposes and complement each other in managing and reporting greenhouse gases. However, ISO 14064-1 is particularly of interest to organizations and businesses.

Specifically, the ISO 14064-1 standard helps businesses record their greenhouse gas emissions in a structured and clear way to reduce carbon emissions. It provides a framework for calculating GHG and verifying emission reports. By adopting ISO 14064-1, businesses can take environmental protection actions publicly, transparently, and effectively.

The content of ISO 14064-1 is built based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) published in 1998 by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) to standardize "Carbon Accounting."

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3. Steps for Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Emission Reporting according to ISO 14064-1

The greenhouse gas inventory and reporting at the organizational level according to ISO 14064-1 should include the following steps:

 ➤ Step 1: Establish the scope and boundaries of the organization and reporting scope.

 ➤ Step 2: Establish the base year.

 ➤ Step 3: Conduct the greenhouse gas inventory.

 ➤ Step 4: Manage the quality of the greenhouse gas inventory.

 ➤ Step 5: Prepare the greenhouse gas inventory report.

 ➤ Step 6: Verify the greenhouse gas inventory report.

6 steps for greenhouse gas inventory and reporting according to ISO 14064-1 standard

4. Greenhouse gas emission scope according to ISO 14064-1

 ➤ Scope 1: Direct GHG Emissions
Direct GHG emissions arise from sources owned or controlled by the business.

Scope 1 corresponds to Category A of ISO 14064-1:2018.

Examples include on-site fuel combustion, emissions from production activities and related processes, refrigerant leaks, and emissions from company vehicles.

 ➤ Scope 2: Energy - Indirect GHG Emissions
These are GHG emissions from the use of electricity, heat, or steam purchased from outside the organization’s boundary. Scope 2 corresponds to Category B of ISO 14064-1:2018.
Currently, most countries mandate GHG emission reporting for Scope 1 and 2.

 ➤ Scope 3: Other Indirect GHG Emissions
These result from the business's activities but from sources not owned or controlled by the business (e.g., air travel). Scope 3 corresponds to Categories C, D, E, F of ISO 14064-1:2018.

Image, alt: Scope of greenhouse gas emissions, description: 3 scopes of greenhouse gas emissions. Source: WRI & WBCSD, 2011.

5. Why should businesses adopt the ISO 14064-1 standard?

Climate change has had negative impacts on both humans and the natural environment. It can significantly affect available resources, economic activities, and human life. Currently, international, regional, national, and local initiatives are being developed and implemented by both public and private sectors to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Earth's atmosphere. This is also considered a condition for responding and adapting to climate change.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed documents to support the transformation of scientific knowledge into tools to address climate change issues, including the ISO 14064 system in general and the ISO 14064-1 standard in particular. This initiative aims to reduce emissions based on activities of quantification, monitoring, reporting, and verifying emissions and/or removing greenhouse gases.

Implementing and complying with the ISO 14064-1 Standard helps:

• Enhance environmental integrity through GHG quantification.

• Improve reliability, consistency, and transparency in measuring, monitoring, reporting, verifying, and validating greenhouse gases.

• Facilitate the development and implementation of greenhouse gas management strategies and plans.

• Build a foundation for developing and implementing actions to mitigate negative impacts on the environment through emission management and/or enhancing greenhouse gas removal.

• Enable tracking of performance and progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and/or increasing greenhouse gas removal.

Enhance risk management and minimize negative environmental impacts with ISO 14064-1

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6. Trusted organization providing greenhouse gas inventory services that meet ISO 14064-1 standard

Vinacontrol is a pioneer in the field of Greenhouse Gas Inventory in Vietnam. We offer a package of Greenhouse Gas Inventory Consulting Services - Guiding the quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with ISO 14064-1, including:

• Consulting and supporting report preparation.

• Advising on management measures and data collection.

• Emission reduction consulting.

• Guiding information collection and proactive preparation of greenhouse gas inventory reports.

Vinacontrol provides a package of Greenhouse Gas Inventory Consulting Services - Guiding the quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with ISO 14064-1

→ For more details about Greenhouse Gas Inventory service, please see here.

Why choose Vinacontrol as your Greenhouse Gas Inventory partner?

• A team of experts who are well-trained and proficient in ISO 14064-1

• Transparent, accurate reports that meet ISO 14064-1 standards

• Technology transfer to help businesses proactively prepare reports

• Support businesses in the report verification process

• A nationwide branch network, ready to respond promptly to all requests

• Reasonable costs and streamlined procedures

For all service inquiries from Vinacontrol, please contact our Hotline at 0243 943 3840 or chat with a specialist for the best advice and support!