Get it right with the global
standard ISO 14064
Carbon Action
Climate change affects organisations in many areas: legal compliance, carbon markets and corporate social responsibility. But there is continued uncertainty about policies and protocols. Decisions at Copenhagen could bring clarity and a new dawn to our final battle for survival.
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| Minister Eamon Ryan TD, Irish Minister for Energy pictured with Christopher Mee, MD of Carbon Action and Ms Susanne Kiraly, President, Standards, CSA |
Many types of greenhouse gas (GHG) schemes exist, but there are issues around compatibility, costs and, most importantly, credibility. Nations worldwide have concerns about the right approach to emissions and criticisms abound on carbon offsetting:
- Economist, ‘Upset about offsets’;
- Financial Times, ‘Beware the carbon offsetting cowboys’;
- Business Week, ‘Another inconvenient truth’.
Offsetting will not achieve real GHG reductions without controlled and verified emission reductions and quantifications need to be sound and verifiable. This means using globally harmonised standards; for emissions this equates to ISO 14064.
There are lessons in history from when merchants shaved the edges off coins and used these silver shavings as an additional, but illicit revenue earner. To prevent this, mints added serrated edges to coins to assure users of the coin’s integrity.
ISO 14064 serves the same function in emissions; giving assurance that a tonne of carbon is the same in London, Louisiana, or Libya.
Even with these standards, there is a shortage of capable GHG professionals. To address this, we need training to equip people on the front line as defenders in the struggle against global warming.
The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) has developed appropriate standards and training. CSA with Carbon Action (CA) provide ISO 14064 training globally. Not being vigilant in GHG measurements leads to poor decisions and inadequate reduction measures. GHG quantifications using ISO 14064 are based on sound science and accounting principles. CSA and CA can assure you that people trained in this standard have the discipline and authority to ensure GHG measurements and projects are real, additional, tangible and independently verifiable.
The economist, Ludwig Von Mises said, “No one can find a safe way out for himself if society is sweeping towards destruction. Therefore everyone, in his own interests, must thrust himself vigorously into the intellectual battle. None can stand aside with unconcern; the interests of everyone hang on the result”.
ISO 14064 is a crucial tool in tackling global warming. Open to every one, it helps us find a safe way to avoid societal destruction; it allows every one to participate in this battle.
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