Validation and verification of emissions projects – Programs, goals & added value for organizations

Environment Blog
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    11 July 2025
    Spotlight on businesses in the push to cut emissions

    EU Climate Target 2050

    Since February 2024, the European Commission has firmly set its sights on the 2040 climate target: a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels. This target is part of the long-term strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and is to be reached through cross-sectoral measures in industry, energy, transport, agriculture, and land use.1

    For businesses, this means growing responsibility to implement emissions reductions and to document them transparently and traceably. Validation and verification of emission savings by independent third parties are key instruments recognized by the EU to ensure the credibility of climate protection projects.

    Overview of selected standards

    Control Union Certifications Germany offers comprehensive validation and verification services for CO₂ emission reduction projects according to international standards such asISO 14064, Gold Standard und Verified Carbon Standard (VCS).

    Gold Standard logo

    Gold Standard

    The Gold Standard was developed in 2003 by WWF and other organizations to ensure that carbon offset projects not only reduce emissions, but also generate measurable social and environmental co-benefits. The methodologies are partly based on the mechanisms of the UNFCCC’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which is also referenced in EU climate strategies.²

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    Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)

    The VCS is managed by the Verra organization and is the most widely used standard in the voluntary carbon market worldwide. The EU recognizes voluntary market mechanisms as complementary instruments for achieving climate targets.³

    ISO 14064 – process image

    ISO 14064

    The ISO 14064 series of norms is an internationally recognized standard for quantifying, reporting and verifying greenhouse gas emissions. It is compatible with the EU guidelines on emissions reporting as defined in the Monitoring Mechanism Regulation (MMR).⁴

    Comparing the standards

    Attribute Gold Standard VCS (Verra) ISO 14064-2
    Focus CO₂ reduction + SDG impact CO₂ reduction GHG accounting & projects
    Methodologies Strictly monitored Very broad, open to a variety of methodologies Flexible, Standard-based
    Scope of application Voluntary market Voluntary market voluntary & regulated
    Target group NGOs, project developers Project developers, investors businesses, organizations
    Certificates tradeable Yes Yes Yes

    Goals & added values

    The implementation of recognized validation and verification standards offers companies far more than just technical proof.

    1. Credibility and trust from stakeholders
      Independent verification of emissions reductions boosts companies’ credibility in the eyes of investors, customers, supervisory authorities and the public. This is particularly relevant in the context of growing requirements for ESG transparency and sustainability reporting.
    2. Access to markets and financing
      Verified projects can generate CO₂ certificates that are traded on the voluntary market. This opens up new sources of income and improves capital procurement – for example through green bonds or climate-related funding programs. EU funding programs such as the LIFE program also support validated climate protection projects.⁵
    3. Risk minimization and compliance
      The adoption of structured standards reduces the risk of greenwashing accusations and increases legal certainty. ISO 14064 can also be integrated into existing management systems and supports compliance with regulatory requirements, for example as part of the EU taxonomy.⁶
    4. Internal management and efficiency
      The systematic recording and verification of emissions data creates a reliable database for internal company management processes.
    5. Positioning in the competitive environment
      Companies that document their climate protection measures transparently and comprehensibly can improve their market position – especially in sectors with high reputational pressure or in tenders with sustainability criteria.

     

    Conclusion

    Validation and verification are key components of a credible climate strategy. They enable companies to document emission reductions in a traceable manner, meet regulatory requirements and build trust with stakeholders. The choice of the appropriate standard depends on the type of project, the target market and the strategic goals of the organization.

     

    Sources:
    ¹ EU Climate target 2040: https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/climate-strategies-targets/2040-climate-target_en
    ² UNFCCC/CDM – EU climate policy reference: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-kyoto-protocol/mechanisms-under-the-kyoto-protocol/the-clean-development-mechanism
    ³ EU Climate Action – voluntary market mechanisms: https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/carbon-markets_en
    ⁴ EU Monitoring Mechanism Regulation (MMR): https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/effort-sharing-member-states-emission-targets/monitoring-and-reporting_en
    ⁵ EU LIFE Programme: https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life_en
    ⁶ EU-Taxonomy: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32020R0852

    Overview of our strengths

    Companies that decide to work with Control Union benefit from a reliable validation and verification body that accompanies them on their way to credible climate protection and long-term sustainability.

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    We are accredited for relevant standards according to ISO 14065:2022 and work with independent auditors worldwide.

    All accreditations & recognitions

    With locations in over 70 countries, we offer global expertise with regional insight.

    We are able to combine CO₂ verification or validation with other sustainability certifications (e.g. ISCC, FSC, EU organic).