Courses, Sustainability and Environment,

ISO 14064 Lead Verifier Course

Course Overview

This intensive course provides a comprehensive understanding of the ISO 14064 standard for greenhouse gas (GHG) quantification, reporting, and verification. It focuses on the requirements and best practices outlined in Parts 1, 2, and 3, with an emphasis on developing lead verification skills. Participants will learn how to conduct GHG assessments for organizations and projects, evaluate emissions reduction claims, and perform thorough verification in compliance with international standards.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Interpret and apply ISO 14064 Part 1 (organizational-level GHG inventories), Part 2 (project-level emissions reductions or removals), and Part 3 (GHG validation and verification) requirements.
  2. Establish boundaries, quantify emissions, and manage GHG data in alignment with global best practices.
  3. Develop and implement rigorous verification and validation plans to ensure accuracy and credibility of GHG assertions.
  4. Lead verification teams effectively, managing stakeholder communication and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
  5. Understand and address key challenges such as data uncertainty, materiality, and evidence-gathering techniques.
  6. Formulate comprehensive verification reports and recommendations consistent with ISO 14064 and supporting guidelines.

Target Audience

  • GHG verification and validation professionals seeking Lead Verifier qualification.
  • Environmental consultants and auditors interested in expanding their scope to GHG verification.
  • Sustainability managers or officers responsible for organizational GHG reporting.
  • Project developers looking to validate emissions reduction projects.
  • Regulatory bodies and accreditation agency personnel involved in climate-related oversight.

Reference Standard

  • ISO 14064-1:2018 – Specification with guidance at the organization level for quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals.
  • ISO 14064-2:2019 – Specification with guidance at the project level for quantification, monitoring, and reporting of greenhouse gas emission reductions or removal enhancements.
  • ISO 14064-3:2019 – Specification with guidance for the validation and verification of greenhouse gas assertions.

Additional references may include:

  • ISO 14065 (Requirements for GHG validation and verification bodies).
  • IPCC Guidelines (Methodologies for GHG inventory development).

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to:

  1. Interpret and Implement Standards

    • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the ISO 14064 series requirements.
    • Apply these requirements to design and conduct GHG inventories and project GHG assessments.

  2. Plan and Lead Verifications

    • Organize and lead GHG validation/verification engagements in line with ISO 14064-3.
    • Develop verification plans, scope, and objectives, ensuring alignment with regulatory or certification needs.

  3. Assess and Verify GHG Data

    • Collect and assess data quality, materiality, and completeness.
    • Evaluate uncertainties and ensure robust evidence collection to support GHG assertions.

  4. Communicate Findings

    • Provide clear, concise, and technically sound verification reports.
    • Communicate outcomes and recommendations to stakeholders, ensuring clarity and transparency.

  5. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Conduct

    • Uphold impartiality, confidentiality, and integrity throughout the verification process.
    • Understand the roles and responsibilities of a Lead Verifier, including managing conflicts of interest.

Course Content

  1. Introduction to GHG Management and ISO 14064

    • Fundamentals of climate change and GHG principles.
    • Overview of ISO 14064 Parts 1, 2, and 3.
    • Relationship with other relevant standards (ISO 14065, IPCC, etc.).

  2. ISO 14064-1: Quantifying and Reporting Organizational GHG Emissions

    • Defining organizational boundaries.
    • Identifying and categorizing emissions sources (Scope 1, 2, and 3).
    • Data collection, quality management, and documentation.

  3. ISO 14064-2: Quantifying and Reporting GHG Reductions and Removals at the Project Level

    • Project boundaries, baselines, and monitoring plans.
    • Emissions reduction project design and performance tracking.
    • Reporting requirements and best practices for project-level GHG claims.

  4. ISO 14064-3: Validation and Verification of GHG Assertions

    • Key principles: competence, independence, impartiality, and consistency.
    • Planning and scoping a GHG validation/verification.
    • Site visit requirements, sampling methodology, and evidence gathering.

  5. Verification Methodology and Techniques

    • Risk assessment and materiality in GHG verification.
    • Handling data gaps and uncertainties.
    • Developing verification plans and checklists.

  6. Reporting and Communication

    • Structuring GHG verification reports.
    • Communicating findings and recommendations.
    • Ensuring stakeholder understanding and transparency.

  7. Lead Verifier Roles and Responsibilities

    • Managing verification teams.
    • Ethical considerations and conflict of interest management.
    • Continuous improvement and professional development in GHG verification.

  8. Practical Exercises and Case Studies

    • Real-world scenarios of organizational and project-level verifications.
    • Group exercises on planning, data review, and report development.
    • Best practices from industry case studies.

Methodologies

  • Interactive Lectures: To establish theoretical foundations and standard requirements.
  • Case Studies: Real-life examples illustrating GHG quantification, reporting, and verification challenges and successes.
  • Group Workshops: Hands-on activities in planning verification scopes, evaluating uncertainties, and building verification reports.
  • Role-Playing and Simulations: Practicing site visits, data collection, and stakeholder interviews to mirror real verification engagements.
  • Knowledge Assessments: Quizzes, group discussions, and post-session reviews to reinforce learning objectives.
  • Action Planning: Guidance on how to implement learned strategies and frameworks in participants’ current or future GHG verification roles.