Innovations in putting the lid on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Climate change is one of the most significant challenges our society faces. The Standards Council of Canada (SCC), through its Accreditation Program for GHG validators and verifiers, is putting the lid on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – and is making a difference for Canadians, Canadian and international businesses, and the environment. So too is SCC collaborator ClimateCHECK.
According to Chantal Guay, SCC’s Vice-President, Accreditation Services, “SCC’s accreditation program was launched to support the Government of Canada’s Sustainability Agenda for the reduction of GHG emissions, as well as to support provincial and territorial initiatives on climate change and clean air objectives.”
Today, she says, SCC’s accreditation program, recognized by and referenced in provincial regulations, continues to support government priorities with delivery of accredited verification of GHG emissions reports. “British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec have developed and put regulations into force for mandatory reporting of GHG emissions by industry over the past several years.”
Innovative GHG management solutions
Innovative GHG management solutions organization, ClimateCHECK, is collaborating with SCC in the fight against climate change. Launched in 2007, ClimateCHECK’s GHG experts have been major contributors to the development and application of GHG standards, protocols and programs. All of these items are used globally to establish best practices in the carbon markets and to spark growth in Canada’s environmental sector and for the economy.
According to the organization’s co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Hardy, the organization helps corporations and industry associations across all economic sectors develop strategies, implement measurement, reporting and verification systems, and support clean technology demonstrations and other project solutions to manage GHG emissions. “We prepare our customers to meet government GHG regulations and to enter the carbon markets.”
Patrick Hardy will be the keynote speaker at SCC’s World Accreditation Day 2014 event on Monday, June 9, 2014, in Ottawa, Ontario, under the global theme, Delivering confidence in the provision of energy.
Accrediting GHG validators and verifiers
The organization’s key collaborations with SCC date back to 2007, when ClimateCHECK helped SCC develop its new Accreditation Program for GHG validators and verifiers. ClimateCHECK’s role in assisting SCC has been to evaluate SCC’s customer processes, to ensure they meet ISO/International Electrotechnical Commission standard 14065 Greenhouse gases – Requirements for greenhouse gas validation and verification bodies for use in accreditation or other forms of recognition, says Hardy.
Evaluations and audits bring results
“Typically, we will perform the assessment and review of initial accreditation documentation, looking at compliance with ISO 14065,” he explains. “As well, we conduct initial on-site evaluations of the procedures and competencies at the head office of each SCC customer.” Afterwards, Hardy’s organization will perform witness audits with SCC’s customers at the facility that is being verified or validated. On a yearly basis, the organization undertakes surveillance assessments and audits for SCC to consider for accreditation.
Accreditation demonstrates that an organization has the competencies and systems to perform audits with the same consistent rigour and quality. As Hardy points out, “Accreditation can benefit organizations of all sizes.”
Value of accreditation
“Accredited organizations’ verification and validation procedures and tools are reviewed and assessed, ensuring that the work they perform is of high quality and meets the most up-to-date, good practices guidance,” he says. “There is continuous improvement of the accredited organization’s procedures throughout the accreditation cycle.”
Hardy says that SCC’s accreditation program allows GHG validation and verification organizations the opportunity to access the current provincially regulated GHG markets (British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec). SCC also enables these organizations to become verifiers for voluntary GHG programs, such as The Climate Registry.
Solutions for industry and government
ClimateCHECK’s expertise and innovations extend to the international marketplace, having co-founded the global Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (GHGMI), as well as the Collaborase web platform. GHGMI helps build capacity, and Collaborase supports collaboration and knowledge management of GHG-related standards. ClimateCHECK’s experience with ISO GHG standards has engaged customers around the world.
Future trends
Guay says that GHG-related standards will continue to mature and evolve, and accreditation and conformity assessment bodies will need to adapt and keep pace with the changes. “More provincial/territorial and federal regulations are forthcoming, as are stricter emissions levels and greater focus on specific areas of industry.”
The good news, Guay points out, is that more opportunities will arise for innovative organizations offering environmental solutions. “These opportunities will be generated through greater alignment with the United States at the standards and conformity assessment level, and through availability of a framework for mutual recognition among nations of accreditation.”
Learn more about ClimateCHECK’s activities and SCC’s energy-related programs and initiatives, and come celebrate, at SCC’s World Accreditation Day 2014 networking breakfast event. Patrick Hardy will be the keynote speaker at SCC’s event on Monday, June 9, 2014, in Ottawa, Ontario, under the global theme, Delivering confidence in the provision of energy.
