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GHG Verification & Validation
Verification is backward-looking: it confirms that historical GHG data — emissions already reported — are accurate and comply with the stated methodology. Validation is forward-looking: it confirms that projected GHG reductions in a planned project are based on sound methodologies and realistic assumptions. Both are covered by ISO 14064-3 and both are services EDAT provides.
Limited assurance gives a moderate level of confidence — the verifier concludes that nothing has come to their attention to suggest the GHG statement is materially misstated. Reasonable assurance gives a high level of confidence — the verifier concludes positively that the statement is fairly stated. Reasonable assurance requires more evidence, deeper testing, and is typically required for regulated disclosures and most carbon market registries.
For most organisations, a first-time GHG verification under ISO 14064-3 takes between 6 and 14 weeks from engagement start to verification statement — depending on the scope, data quality, complexity of operations, and number of sites. Subsequent reverification engagements are typically faster as the data systems and evidence chains are already established.
The specific evidence requirements depend on your boundary and emission sources, but typically include: GHG inventory with supporting calculation worksheets, activity data sources (utility bills, fuel purchase records, process data logs), emission factor sources and documentation, organisational boundary definition, and any prior verification statements. EDAT provides a detailed document request list at the start of every engagement.
Standards & Accreditation
Four standards form the core. ISO 14064-1 covers organisational GHG inventories. ISO 14064-2 covers GHG project-level accounting. ISO 14064-3 specifies how verification and validation are conducted. ISO 14065 specifies the requirements for the verification bodies themselves. ISO/IEC 17029 is the umbrella standard for all validation and verification bodies, and ISO 14066 sets competence requirements for verifiers.
ISO 14065 is the international standard that GHG verification bodies must meet to be accredited by a recognised national accreditation body (such as ANAB, UKAS, or JAS-ANZ). Accreditation confirms the body's independence, competence, and quality management system. Regulators and markets increasingly require ISO 14065-aligned verification before accepting GHG data — and in some regimes, formal accreditation is mandatory.
No. To preserve impartiality under ISO 14065, we do not provide consulting services that would create a conflict on engagements we then verify or validate. We can deliver training and capability-building, but technical advice on inventory design or project structuring is offered only outside of the verification scope. This structural separation is what makes our opinions defensible.
Carbon Markets
In carbon markets, validation is the assessment of a project's design document (PDD) before credit issuance — confirming the methodology is applicable, the baseline is sound, and additionality is demonstrated. Verification is the periodic assessment of actual monitoring data — confirming the emission reductions claimed in a given period actually occurred. Both are required by major registries (VCS, Gold Standard, Article 6.4) before credits can be issued.
EDAT structures its validation and verification engagements to meet the procedural requirements of the major voluntary and compliance crediting standards, including Verra VCS, Gold Standard, ACR, CAR, Plan Vivo, and the Article 6.4 Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism. We also support projects pursuing accreditation under emerging African crediting pathways and national registries.
A corresponding adjustment is the accounting mechanism that prevents double-counting of emission reductions between Article 6 participating countries. When a country transfers an Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcome (ITMO) to a buyer country, the host country must make a corresponding adjustment — adding the transferred emission reductions back to its national total to prevent both countries from counting the same reduction. EDAT's Article 6 work includes verification of the underlying mitigation activities that require corresponding adjustments.
Engagement & Cost
Verification cost depends on the scope (Scope 1 only vs. Scope 1, 2, and 3), the number of facilities, the assurance level (limited or reasonable), and the complexity of your data systems. EDAT scopes every engagement individually based on these factors. Contact us to discuss your specific situation and receive an indicative range.
Yes. While EDAT has particular depth in the Nigerian regulatory context — NUPRC, NESREA, and the African voluntary carbon market — our verification and validation services are available to organisations across Africa and beyond. Our team has experience with GHG inventories and carbon projects across multiple African jurisdictions.
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