Get on Board with ISO 14064, or Get Left Behind

This blog reflects on our webinar ‘Get on Board with ISO 14064, or Get Left Behind,’ which you can watch by clicking here.

 

Why the increase in carbon accounting?

Let’s start by examining the question: why are so many organisations being asked about their carbon data, reductions, targets, and plans? Carbon accounting is not a new concept; it has been around for a long time. However, what has changed is who is asking these questions and how frequently they are being asked. The “who” can include public bodies, private organisations, NGOs, governments, and the frequency of these inquiries is often annual or tied to tendering processes.

 Previously, carbon verification data was primarily requested by marketing departments, resulting in flashy graphs and statistics displayed on websites. Now, it is increasingly demanded by commercial teams, lenders, insurers, mortgage brokers, and procurement teams. This shift has transformed carbon data into a crucial business dataset. A “business dataset” refers to information that can inform strategic decisions within a company. For the first time, this data possesses real value, evolving from an abstract sustainability exercise to a central business concern.

 Organisations are now required not just to present their carbon data, but to provide a clear and comprehensive picture of their carbon footprint, including its elements and verification sources.

Before delving into the specifics of carbon footprints, it’s essential to understand the broader context of climate change. Navigating this complex topic alongside the convoluted political landscape can be challenging. From an environmental perspective, climate change is a multigenerational issue. However, if we relate this to business, we can consider supply chains—extremely fragile components of our globalised economy. For example, heavy rainfall or flooding can disrupt transportation networks, causing delays in the delivery of goods and consequently hindering job execution. Successfully navigating this business landscape requires an understanding of the risks climate change poses to your business. Therefore, the focus has shifted from considering climate change solely as an environmental topic to viewing it as a matter of business continuity and risk management.

Back to the landscape in the UK: both public and private tenders are increasingly requesting carbon data regarding the makeup of your carbon footprint and whether you have a formal report. Companies without any legal, mandatory requirements are being asked by their supply chains to provide two key pieces of information: their carbon reduction targets and, crucially, the credibility of their data.

 These two terms—data and credibility—are essential. While anyone can produce data for a tender to enhance winning chances, the critical questions are: Is the data accurate? Is it transparent? Is it credible? The goal of our discussion in this webinar is to emphasise that by completing the verification process, you will attain credible data.

 Reputation poses a significant risk when based on non-credible data. Claims regarding carbon reduction and low emissions are being scrutinised more than ever, particularly with new directives surrounding green claims. In discussing reputational risks, it’s important to remember the opportunities that can arise, too. Starting your verification journey early—even before your competitors—can provide a notable commercial advantage and strengthen your market position.

 The reality is that beginning this process sooner allows for more time to refine your methodology and solidify your organisation’s stance. From a business perspective, calculating your emissions can reveal areas of high emissions. Early adopters might not have perfect data, but starting with imperfect data is far better than not starting at all. Over time, you will have the opportunity to consolidate and improve your approach.

The next important topic is the standard. ISO 14064 is the standard that Storm Geomatics are working towards, and it is also what Interface is accredited against. This standard serves as a foundational framework for quantifying your carbon footprint and is essential for achieving net-zero emissions. Achieving net zero aligns with numerous government targets; for instance, the UK aims for net zero by 2050. While that may seem far off, it becomes more pressing when you start analysing the numbers and strategies to reduce emissions.

 

Why Do Standards Matter?

Standards are crucial because, without them, companies would quantify and calculate their emission forecasts in vastly different ways, making comparisons challenging. The primary goal of this journey to net zero is to systematically reduce emissions and strive to get them as close to zero as possible. Businesses have an incentive to lower their emission figures, but if they choose unreliable verifying bodies, they risk manipulating the numbers and overlooking significant portions of their footprint.

Standards provide a comprehensive framework detailing what should be counted, how it should be explained, and how it should be reported. They ensure a complete picture of emissions and require justification for any categories that might seem irrelevant.

 

The Value of Credibility

Verification adds consistency, transparency, and credibility to carbon accounting—credibility being particularly crucial. High credibility allows organisations to independently verify the reported data. Verification has become a key term over the past two years in the landscape of certifying bodies. We verify claims made by organisations regarding their carbon footprint, and this process aligns with the ISO 14064 standard, enabling thorough verification of your emissions against the established guidelines.

Verification and ISO 14064 are relatively new concepts and processes. Let’s say you contact us, and you get all of the information, and get our quote, and you are blown away with how amazingly affordable we are, and you’re really keen to start.

The first step is the pre-verification. Which is where you present your findings, and on a high-level perspective, our carbon team then identifies any risks or anomalies that might stop you in the process and completes some risk assessments. After that, you have the verification. By that point, a member of our carbon team will ask you a plethora of questions, and by the end of the process, you will have some confidence that your footprint is correct and accurate, which then means you can share it. For tendering, yes, having a calculated footprint is one thing, but having it verified often increases your score in the tendering process.

Mike Hopkins, the Managing Director of Storm Geomatics, shared his perspective on carbon verification with us. In his role, he oversees the operations of Storm Geomatics, the only geospatial surveying company in the UK that specialises in river assessments. Mike provided valuable insights on carbon reporting and their experience with the standard.

He began by sharing an insight into the origins of Storm Geomatics’ verification journey, explaining that the process began more than five years ago. He noted that in recent years, the increased intensity of rainfall has led to more frequent flooding in our rivers. As people begin to feel the impacts of climate change personally, they often delve into the science behind it. Mike expressed his concerns about this issue and mentioned that, as an environmental advocate, he recognises the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Clients approach Storm Geomatics because they understand the importance of monitoring emissions throughout the entire supply chain.

Mike emphasised the necessity of honesty in their work. He believes that to effectively contribute to teams focused on solving these environmental challenges, he must be transparent about their practices. He brought up an interesting point about supply chain interests and corporate ethos. Will noted that many new clients either require verification of their sustainability efforts or seek to align their projects with their company’s values, aiming to foster a greener future.

 

In the last two years, Mike has noticed a growing number of tenders requesting environmental data. He highlighted that the current landscape is more data-driven than ever before. Reflecting on the past decade, he recalled that most businesses had environmental statements, but many of these lacked accountability—often falling into greenwashing. Now, having verifiable data lends credibility and confidence, allowing them to demonstrate their genuine efforts to clients. The tenders are becoming increasingly detailed, moving away from simple “tick-box” exercises toward a more in-depth examination of what actions companies are taking. Mike noted that the verification process supports them in this evolution.

Looking back on the initial stages of the verification journey, Mike found the process daunting at first. It can seem challenging to navigate, especially when considering the various emissions scopes. Scopes one and two are all about elements under a business’s direct control, such as car mileage. Typically, businesses have existing spreadsheets that contain this information. A crucial aspect is the accounting system since most carbon emissions are calculated based on an emissions factor per pound spent, which can vary by the type of goods purchased. Therefore, having a robust accounting system is essential for generating accurate reports. However, compiling all of this data and consolidating it into a single spreadsheet can be a significant task. The goal is continuous improvement, starting with imperfect data and working toward better consolidation and reduction.

 

Displaying Metrics

Storm Geomatics publicly displays its verification on its website, showcasing various metrics. They present their total carbon footprint—known as absolute emissions—as well as their intensity ratio, which measures emissions per unit of output and reflects business growth.

A common misconception about carbon reduction is that it does not align with business growth. However, this is not the case. The intensity ratios are designed in a way that allows businesses, even during periods of growth, to gradually reduce emissions in critical areas, such as transportation. This strategy ensures that emissions per pound spent also decrease, allowing for sustainable expansion.

 

Firstly, we want to say a big thank you to Mike Hopkins and the team at Storm Geomatics. It has been a pleasure to hear your experience with the verification process and have you collaborate for this webinar.

If you want more information about starting your verification journey. Please contact us through our no-obligation quote form on our website.

Get on board with ISO 14064, or get left behind.