Verification of greenhouse gas emissions
Introducing EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)
With the introduction of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) in 2005, verification of greenhouse gas emissions has become mandatory for those who fall within the scheme listed in Annex I of the directive - http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/emission/implementation_en.htm
Phase I of the scheme (2005-2008) included the large energy providers and high energy consumers. Phase II (2008 - 2012) has been expanded to include other industries and high emitters, and most recently aviation.
Directive (2008/101/EC) was published on 13 January 2009 amending the Emissions Trading Directive to also include emissions from aviation –
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:008:0003:0021:EN:PDF
The EU ETS is a cap and trade scheme, in which the included organisations trade allowances. It is a requirement to submit one allowance per tonne of CO2 emitted. Airlines will be eligible for a free allocation of allowances (each allowance represents one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions) based on 2010 (baseline) data. A free allocation will only be granted if the baseline data, in the format of a tonne-km report for 2010, is externally verified.
In order to demonstrate compliance with the Directive and to trade allowances, all aircraft operators must submit a verified annual emissions report by 31st March of the following year from 2010 onwards.
Before trading commences and aviation is formally included within the EU ETS, there are two pre-compliance or practice years (2010 and 2011). The directive mandates that during these years emissions data should be monitored, reported and verified in accordance with the directive. During these first two pre-compliance years, the surrender of allowances is not required.
Starting in 2012, operators will be required to surrender one allowance for each tonne of CO2 they emit during the reporting year. At the end of the year if an operator does not have enough allowances to cover their annual CO2 emissions they will need to buy more to avoid any penalties.
There are a range of benefits associated with undertaking third-party verification of GHG emissions:
- Compliance
Verification enables you to meet your regulatory obligations under schemes such as the EU ETS
- Financial
Independent verification allows the organisation to participate in emissions trading schemes such as the EU ETS. Submission of a verified baseline 2010 tonne-km report will also provide aviation operators with access to a free allocation of allowances under the scheme. Verification also means avoidance of penalties as a result of failure to comply
- Credibility
Third party verification provides additional credibility to reporting and publishing of environmental information. This has implications for interested parties such as employees, customers, brokers, shareholders and insurance companies
- Integrity
Independent verification provides assurance to your stakeholders that the verified data is faithfully represented, contains no material misstatements, is consistent and has been collected and analysed in a transparent and reliable manner
- Transparency
Reporting externally verified GHG emissions data demonstrates your commitment to environmental transparency and accountability. A GHG emission report may form part of a public or corporate environmental or sustainability report and can be a step towards ‘Green Governance’
- Consistency
Third-party emissions verification will ensure that your data is consistent according to set protocols. Using a unique process developed by our experienced GHG verification team, we will ensure that your data is accurate for the purpose for which it is designated
- Reliability
We have ensured that any third-party verification will produce reliable and faithful representation emissions data. Through accreditation under the UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) scheme EN 45011, we have achieved an important independent professional endorsement of our verification process.
Why BSI
- During 2008 BSI verified over 35 million tonnes CO2 allowances working with clients from all sectors to ensure delivery of their verified emissions reports within the regulatory timeframe
- BSI is a market leader in the provision of verification services with over seven years experience gained since the inception of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme
- BSI currently holds full UKAS accreditation for EU ETS Phase II Annual verification, New Entrant, Rationalisation and Closures across all scopes, and UK ETS Climate Change Agreement verification
- BSI has a dedicated team of full time BSI verifiers to carry out your verification
- BSI offers a complete verification solution to trade associations and their members providing integrated EU ETS and CCA verifications
- BSI has a wealth of experience and a proven track record in the delivery of complex, multisite, process and combustion emission verifications across a wide range of sectors
- BSI is closely involved with the development of the EU ETS scheme through membership of the Emissions Trading Group
- BSI verification processes comply with EA 603 and UKAS requirements
- By choosing BSI, certified organisations will be able to use and benefit from association with the BSI brand and logo, which holds UK Superbrand status.
The following are just some of the clients BSI has provided verification services for:
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Airbus
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BAe – all sites
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British Beer and Pub Association
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British Sugar
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Castle Cement
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Cemex
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Corus Steel
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Doncaster and Bassetlaws NHS Trust
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Ineos Chlor
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Seabank Power
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The Confederation of Paper Industries
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The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
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The Natural History Museum
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Total E & P
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Uskmouth Power
For more Information on the verification service, please download our EU ETS Brochure
The EU ETS verification will be designed to meet your requirements. However, a typical EU ETS verification is split into a number of stages that can occur separately or concurrently. Splitting the verification process ensures early identification of any issues and allows sufficient time for their closure in advance of the submission of the final emissions and or tonne/km report.
