Climate change affects organizations on many fronts; legal compliance, carbon markets, stakeholders and corporate social responsibility.
There is uncertainty about climate change policies and protocols. Copenhagen attempted to bring a new dawn to this arena in which our civilisation is playing out our final battle for survival. However Copenhagen did not meet expectations – let us hope that COP 21 in Paris can achieve real progress.
Many types of GHG protocols exist – there are concerns about compatibility, costs and most importantly credibility.
Many nations have concerns about following the right approach to account for emissions. Criticisms abound on offsetting practices
Economist, ‘Upset about offsets’;
Financial Times, ‘Beware the carbon offsetting cowboys’
Business Week ‘Another inconvenient truth’.
This shows that without controlled and verified emission reductions – carbon offsetting will not achieve what it is meant to – real GHG reductions globally
In combating climate change, we need assurance that GHG quantifications are both sound and verifiable. High levels of assurance that GHG quantifications and reductions are real are given by using globally harmonised standards – for emissions this means ISO 14064. ISO 14064 is analogous to the history of money – merchants shaved the edges off coins and used these silver shavings as an additional but illicit revenue earner. To prevent this adulteration, mints added serrated edges to coins to assure users of the integrity of the coin. ISO 14064 serves the same function in emissions – assurance that a tonne of carbon is the same in London, Louisiana, or Libya. Spaceship Earth, such a delicate platform for humanity demands we exercise be care and vigilance in defence of it.
There is a shortage of capable GHG professionals – to address this skill shortage – we need training for people to equip them for the front line as defenders in the struggle against global warming.
The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) developed these standards and training programs. CSA with Carbon Action (CA) provide ISO 14064 training globally in defense against global warming. 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 that GHG measurements and GHG 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”
The ISO 14064 GHG Standard is a crucial tool in tackling the global warming, as it is open to everyman and helps us to find a safe way to avoid societal destruction; it allows everyman to participate in this literally existential battle.
