Available subject to a project-specific review of the programme, criteria, competence, resources and accreditation status.
Independent greenhouse gas assurance
Verification & Validation
Independent assessment of organisational inventories, projects, products, emission reductions, carbon credits and mandatory GHG reporting.
What this delivers
Confidence in the information behind the claim.
When greenhouse gas information supports regulatory reporting, investment, market claims or management decisions, it must be credible. CoZero defines the engagement, evaluates the underlying evidence and provides an independent validation or verification conclusion against agreed criteria.
- Organisational GHG inventories and carbon footprints
- GHG projects, emission reductions and removals
- Product carbon footprints and product-level information, subject to project-specific acceptance
- Carbon-credit and carbon-market projects, subject to programme eligibility and scope review
- DFFE mandatory greenhouse gas reporting
- Clear findings and an appropriate independent assurance output
Explore verification services
Start with the requirement that best matches your engagement.
Organisational GHG inventoriesCarbon footprints, emissions assertions and organisational reporting.↗GHG projectsValidation and verification of emission reductions and removals.↗DFFE GHG reportingIndependent verification supporting South African mandatory reporting.↗
Available subject to programme eligibility, registry requirements, authorised scope, competence, impartiality and accreditation review.
The engagement pathway
A controlled route to an independent conclusion.
The same core process applies across CoZero’s validation and verification engagements, with the detailed plan tailored to the agreed scope and criteria.
- Enquiry and information gathering
Initial information helps CoZero understand the proposed engagement.
- Pre-engagement review
Scope, criteria, accreditation status, complexity, competence, impartiality and available evidence are evaluated.
- Proposal and agreement
The scope, responsibilities, fees, deliverables and indicative schedule are agreed.
- Kick-off meeting
Boundaries, information requirements, responsibilities and the verification process are confirmed.
- Strategic analysis and planning
Risks, materiality, facilities, data streams, evidence requirements and sampling are planned.
- Evidence gathering and assessment
Calculations, activity data, emission factors, records, reporting systems and controls are assessed.
- Findings and corrections
Errors, omissions, inconsistencies and evidence gaps are raised for correction or clarification.
- Independent review and decision
A competent person who did not perform the work independently reviews the engagement and evidence.
- Final report and statement
The appropriate controlled report and validation or verification statement are issued.
Standards and scope
CoZero is a SANAS-accredited GHG validation and verification body, Facility Number C74. Each prospective engagement is classified as within the current accredited scope, outside the accredited scope or subject to a pending scope extension. Accreditation is claimed only where the specific activity, sector, programme and statement level fall within CoZero’s current SANAS-approved scope.
The independent output
The client ordinarily receives a final report and an independent statement or opinion identifying the assertion, reporting period, scope, boundaries, criteria, assurance level and conclusion. CoZero issues an independent statement or opinion rather than a general certificate.
Questions answered
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between GHG validation and verification?
Validation generally assesses assumptions, methodologies, baselines and projected outcomes associated with intended future activities, such as a proposed GHG project.
Verification generally assesses historical information, such as an organisational GHG inventory or achieved emission reductions and removals.
Both involve an independent, evidence-based assessment against agreed criteria.
Why should GHG information be independently verified?
Independent verification gives management, regulators, customers, investors and other intended users greater confidence in reported GHG information.
The process evaluates relevant evidence, methodologies, calculations, systems and controls and determines whether the GHG statement contains any material discrepancies.
Verification can support regulatory reporting, corporate disclosures, customer requirements, voluntary reporting and credible environmental claims.
What does SANAS accreditation mean?
SANAS is South Africa’s national accreditation body. Accreditation formally recognises that a validation and verification body has demonstrated the competence, impartiality and management systems required to perform specified activities.
Accreditation does not automatically cover every service provided by an accredited body. CoZero reviews each enquiry to determine whether the requested engagement falls within its current SANAS-approved scope.
CoZero is a SANAS-accredited GHG Validation and Verification Body, Facility Number C74.
Is every CoZero engagement SANAS accredited?
No. Accreditation applies only where the particular activity, sector, programme and engagement fall within CoZero’s current SANAS-approved scope.
CoZero confirms the accreditation status during its pre-engagement review and clearly identifies it in the proposal and final assurance output.