Independent Carbon Footprint
Verification & Assurance
Expert GHG Assurance & ISO 14064 Verification Services
Independent assurance to ensure your sustainability disclosures stand up to investor scrutiny and regulatory demand.​​
Verify
Your Impact. Validate
your data.
​​After investing resources into measuring your carbon footprint and developing reduction strategies, undertaking a GHG audit is the critical final step. Our independent carbon auditing services provide the robust external validation you need to ensure your disclosures are credible, compliant, and confidently communicated.
Carbon auditing services that meet the expectations of your stakeholders
Not every organisation requires the same depth of auditing. Whether you need a quick technical review of your methodology or a deep-dive audit to withstand investor scrutiny, we offer three distinct tiers of verification to match your budget and reporting maturity.
THREE TIERS OF VERIFICATION
1. Expert Review
Best for: Internal confidence and methodology checks
Technically known as "Agreed Upon Procedures" (AUP), this is a targeted, cost-effective approach. Rather than a full audit of your entire inventory, we perform specific checks on the areas you designate - such as your calculation methodology of newly added Scope 3 emissions sources.
The Outcome:
You receive a factual findings report giving you additional confidence in your math and data collection.
Note:
This does not provide a formal independent assurance statement over your GHG declaration, but acts as a vital independent quality check before you finalise your figures.
2. Limited Assurance
Best for: Routine reporting and maintaining stakeholder trust
This is the industry standard for organisations that have verified emissions previously or do not face intense regulatory pressure. Often referred to as "negative assurance," this process concludes that—based on our review—we have found no evidence that your footprint is materially misstated.
The Outcome:
An independent assurance statement confirming your inventory appears free of material errors.
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When to choose this:
Ideal for years between your base and target years, Scope 3 emissions, or when stakeholders want third-party validation without the intensity of a reasonable assurance engagement.
3. Reasonable Assurance
Best for: Base years, public targets, and high stakes reporting.
This is the "gold standard" of verification, similar to the rigor of a financial audit. It requires a rigorous examination of your data trails, internal controls, and evidence. Reasonable Assurance provides a positive opinion: that your GHG statement is, in fact, materially correct.
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The Outcome:
The highest level of verification statement, offering maximum credibility.
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When to choose this:
Critical for establishing your base year (the foundation of all future comparisons), validating target years (to prove you hit your goals), or verifying Scope 1 and 2 emissions for the first time.
The Hybrid Approach
You do not have to choose just one level. We frequently support a mixed approach where Scope 1 and 2 (direct control) are audited to a Reasonable Level, while Scope 3 (value chain estimates) is audited to a Limited Level. This balances cost-efficiency with high confidence where it matters most.
YOUR Trusted,
Pre-Approved Assurance PARTNER
We offer tailored verification and assurance services, leveraging our team's deep expertise and established, pre-approved status with key programmes.
For Airports
(ACA Approved Verifier)
For airports aiming for or maintaining Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA), independent verification of your carbon footprint is mandatory. As an Approved ACA Verifier, we deliver the assurance and accreditation status you require.
For NZ Government Organisations
(CNGP Approved Verification)
Achieving carbon neutrality under the Carbon Neutral Government Programme (CNGP) requires meticulous verification. We are a CNGP approved verification provider and listed on the All of Government (AoG) consultancy panel.
For Large Corporates
(Mandatory Reporting)
We provide independent verification and assurance for large entities subject to mandatory climate reporting requirements across New Zealand, Australia, and Hong Kong. This ensures your disclosures are robust, accepted, and fit-for-purpose.
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For our more comprehensive strategy and implementation services around mandatory climate reporting, please see our dedicated Mandatory Climate Strategy service page.
For SMEs
(Third Party Validation)
For businesses such as construction firms, manufacturers and exporters who have completed reporting in-house but need a stamp of external validation to satisfy customers, certification programmes or supply chain tenders, we offer a streamlined verification pathway.
Global Standards & Independence
Credibility is the currency of carbon reporting. We conduct verifications in alignment with leading international standards to ensure your reports are universally accepted.
Our Commitment to Independence
Note: To adhere to strict independence standards, we cannot verify carbon footprints that we have calculated ourselves. We strictly provide third-party verification for footprints prepared in-house or by other consultancies.
1. Verification Frameworks:
(How we audit you)
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We conduct our verifications in strict alignment with ISO 14064-3, the international specification for the verification and validation of greenhouse gas statements. We verify inventories prepared against:​
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The GHG Protocol (Corporate Standard)
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ISO 14064-1 (Quantification and reporting of GHG emissions)
2. Our Organisational Standards:
(How we govern ourselves)​
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Our competence as a verification body is underpinned by our alignment with:
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ISO 14065: Principles for bodies validating and verifying environmental information.
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ISO 17029: General principles and requirements for verification bodies.
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ISO 14066: Competence requirements for GHG validation teams.
3. Ethics & Impartiality​
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Independence is the cornerstone of our service. We strictly adhere to our internal Impartiality Policy. Furthermore, our team is bound by the CEP (Carbon and Energy Professionals) Code of Ethics, ensuring the highest standard of professional objective judgment.
How the Process Works:
Speak to our experts today about your carbon reporting and assurance needs.
Whether you are navigating complex mandatory reporting requirements or seeking external validation for a voluntary programme, we provide the clear, expert path to compliance, stakeholder trust, and verifiable sustainability claims.
FAQ​
How much do your services cost?
Do we really need independent verification?
How long does the verification process take?
Will we receive a certificate or something marketable?
Let's Connect
Discuss your needs with our carbon auditing expert
