Is GHG verification mandatory?

Not universally, but it is increasingly expected. The CSRD requires limited assurance. CDP asks whether emissions have been verified. SBTi requires base-year verification. UK government procurement (PPN 06/21) expects credible data. Even where not strictly mandatory, verification enhances credibility and stakeholder confidence.

How much does GHG verification cost?

Costs vary significantly based on organisational complexity, scope of verification, and the verifier. For a mid-sized company with Scope 1, 2, and selected Scope 3, expect £5,000–£20,000 for limited assurance. Large multinationals with full Scope 3 may pay £50,000+. The cost is a fraction of the value it provides in credibility.

Verification and Assurance

Verification and assurance is the independent assessment of an organisation’s greenhouse gas emissions data and reporting by a qualified third party, providing stakeholders with confidence in the accuracy and completeness of the disclosed information.

What is Verification and Assurance?

Third-party verification involves an independent assessor reviewing an organisation’s GHG inventory, data collection processes, calculation methodology, and reported figures. The assessor provides an opinion on whether the inventory is materially correct and prepared in accordance with the stated methodology (typically the GHG Protocol or ISO 14064).

There are two levels of assurance: limited assurance (the most common for GHG reporting) and reasonable assurance (the higher standard, equivalent to a financial audit). Limited assurance provides moderate confidence that no material misstatement exists; reasonable assurance provides high confidence. The CSRD requires limited assurance initially, with a planned move to reasonable assurance.

Verification is increasingly expected by investors, regulators, and customers. CDP encourages third-party verification. The SBTi requires verification of base-year emissions. Supply chain requirements (such as PPN 06/21) implicitly assume verifiable data quality. Engaging a verifier also drives internal improvements in data collection and methodology.

Practical Examples

A FTSE 250 company engages a Big Four accounting firm to provide limited assurance over its Scope 1, 2, and material Scope 3 emissions, publishing the assurance statement alongside its annual report.

A company preparing for SBTi target submission ensures its base-year emissions have been verified to ISO 14064-3 by an accredited certification body.

A mid-sized manufacturer obtains third-party verification of its Carbon Reduction Plan data before submitting a bid for a UK government contract.

How Climatise Helps

Climatise produces audit-ready emissions data with full data lineage, methodology documentation, and calculation transparency — the information verifiers need to efficiently assess your GHG inventory.

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