Verify

Members are required to have their emission reports verified by a State and California Registry approved third party verifier every year. (See list of approved verifiers)


Verification ensures that reported emissions meet the California Registry’s reporting requirements and achieve a minimum quality standard (95% accuracy). Third-party verification is integral to the California Registry’s program and to the State of California considering the reported data under future GHG regulations. It confirms the high quality of the data and adds credibility to the California Registry’s voluntary reporting program. Verification also allows for comparability across participants, and helps protect the long term value and viability of the data.

Core verification activities include:
  • Identifying an organization’s emission sources (making sure none have been left out)
  • Reviewing its management systems & methodologies
  • Verifying its emission estimates

 

Verification can be a four-year cycle. In year 1, verifiers conduct all core verification activities. In years 2 and 3, unless there has been a significant change in an organization’s operations or emissions profile, verifiers will conduct more of a desktop review. All verification activities are required again in Year 4.

The cost of verification varies widely from organization to organization. Elements driving verification costs are the size and complexity of your organization and the quality and organization of your data and data management systems. Verification costs have ranged from $500 for a small, office-based company in California to $20,000 for a large manufacturer with facilities nationwide. Registry members have seen the cost of verification drop from 30-65% from year 1 to years 2 and 3 (as verification can be a 4 year cycle). To get an estimate for your organization’s verification costs, contact approved verifiers directly.

 

A sample verification cost fact sheet has been developed based on representative verification data of emissions sources, quantities and sector types of certain California Registry Climate Action Leaders to help reporters get a better idea of the costs involved for annual verification.



The California Registry’s General Reporting Protocol and General Verification Protocol provide more information on the verification process.