Overview

ISO 14064 is a globally recognized standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that provides guidelines for the quantification, monitoring, reporting, and verification of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals. As climate disclosure becomes a regulatory requirement in jurisdictions such as the EU and the United States starting in 2025, ISO 14064 has emerged as a critical framework for companies seeking credible and consistent GHG accounting practices. This article explores the structure of ISO 14064, its alignment with other reporting standards, and its practical relevance to businesses operating in an increasingly carbon-conscious economy.

What Is ISO 14064?

ISO 14064 is divided into three parts, each addressing a specific aspect of greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting and assurance:

Part	Focus	Purpose
ISO 14064-1	Organization-level GHG emissions and removals	To establish principles and requirements for measuring and reporting GHGs
ISO 14064-2	GHG reduction or removal projects	To guide the quantification and monitoring of emission reductions
ISO 14064-3	Validation and verification of GHG assertions	To provide a framework for ensuring credibility through third-party checks

These three components collectively serve to harmonize emissions reporting across different sectors and regions. Importantly, ISO 14064 is designed to be compatible with other frameworks, such as the GHG Protocol and emerging regulatory schemes. This compatibility allows organizations and stakeholders to rely on a unified language and methodology for understanding and validating climate-related data.

Why ISO 14064 Matters

For stakeholders, investors, regulators, and procurement officers, relying on organizations that use ISO 14064 means gaining access to standardized, verifiable, and comparable emissions data. As climate claims face increasing scrutiny, the credibility of emissions reporting is critical:

Trustworthy Disclosures: Third-party verified GHG assertions reduce greenwashing risk by introducing standardized methodologies and independent oversight. This verification lends credibility to reported data, assuring stakeholders that emissions are measured accurately and not exaggerated for reputational purposes.

Cross-border Reliability: The ISO 14064 standard provides a globally accepted framework that ensures consistency in how emissions are measured and reported, regardless of geography. This consistency is critical for multinational corporations, enabling them to consolidate emissions data across regions, suppliers, and industries with confidence.

Decision-Making Confidence: ISO-aligned data empowers responsible investment and purchasing decisions by offering a reliable basis for comparing climate performance. Whether allocating capital or selecting suppliers, stakeholders can use ISO-verified disclosures to identify leaders in emissions reduction and assess alignment with science-based or net-zero targets.

Rather than requiring all actors to become ISO certified, the focus should be on recognizing and demanding ISO-compliant reporting from supply chain partners and portfolio companies.

Alignment with Global Regulations

The regulatory landscape is shifting rapidly. In the EU, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) now mandate climate-related disclosures. Similarly, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has finalized its climate disclosure rule, which will require large registrants to report GHG emissions starting in 2025. ISO 14064 plays a vital role in enabling compliance with these regulations:

• EU: ISO 14064 supports structured GHG accounting aligned with ESRS E1 (climate change), ensuring audit-readiness.
• U.S.: The standard can underpin disclosures in SEC filings by providing verifiable emissions data, especially for Scope 1 and 2.

By adopting ISO 14064, companies position themselves to meet both current and future disclosure requirements efficiently.

How to Evaluate ISO 14064 Use in Organizations

Understanding whether a supplier or portfolio company follows ISO 14064 involves a multi-faceted approach that goes beyond simply checking a box. Here are key areas to assess:

Public Disclosures: Examine annual sustainability or ESG reports to see if the organization explicitly references ISO 14064 standards, especially in how they measure and report GHG emissions. Look for details on methodologies used and whether any third-party validation is cited.

Verification Statements: Look for emissions data that has been independently verified against ISO 14064-3. These third-party assurance statements serve as formal validation that the company’s GHG inventory is credible and in line with internationally accepted standards.

Supplier Questionnaires: When onboarding vendors or issuing RFPs, include targeted questions about ISO 14064 compliance. This could include queries about whether their GHG data is verified, which scopes they report on, and what level of ISO alignment or certification they hold.

Audit Trails and Documentation: Request technical appendices or verification documentation that outlines the organization’s emissions boundaries, calculation methodologies, and monitoring processes.

Engagement Willingness: Evaluate the company’s responsiveness and transparency when asked about their emissions data. Organizations that follow ISO 14064 typically have a clearer and more structured process in place, which enables smoother collaboration and trust.

ISO compliance can become a powerful selection criterion when evaluating low-carbon vendors or verifying portfolio alignment with net-zero goals. By incorporating these evaluation strategies into procurement and investment decisions, organizations can ensure they are building partnerships grounded in verified climate responsibility.

Conclusion

As the world transitions toward stricter climate regulations, ISO 14064 serves as a cornerstone for transparent and reliable GHG accounting. It enables organizations not only to comply with emerging legal frameworks like the EU CSRD and U.S. SEC rules but also to build stakeholder trust and drive decarbonization strategies. For stakeholders, understanding and prioritizing ISO 14064-compliant disclosures provides a foundation for making more informed, responsible, and climate-aligned decisions.

Why Work with ASUENE Inc.?

Asuene is a key player in carbon accounting, offering a comprehensive platform that measures, reduces, and reports emissions, including Scope 1-3. Asuene serves over 10,000 clients worldwide, providing an all-in-one solution that integrates GHG accounting, ESG supply chain management, a Carbon Credit exchange platform, and third-party verification.

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