Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)

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Greenhouse Gas Audit

Businesses involved in efforts to reduce the effects of climate change that wish to obtain a reliable, impartial opinion on their data estimates for a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory or GHG reduction project may look to the BNQ and its experience:

audits of GHG inventories and GHG reduction projects since 2004;
audits conducted in accordance with the ISO 14064-3 standard (requirements for organizations and persons in charge of quantifying and verifying GHG emissions) since 2006;
accreditation as an GHG auditing organization from the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) in 2010 (under the ISO 14065 standard for organizations providing GHG verification and audits for accreditation or other forms of recognition);
various fields (for example, aluminum, urban infrastructure and transportation).

The BNQ’s notices of audit also make it possible to gain access to numerous regulatory or voluntary programs, and may be used for carbon market transactions.

This certification is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada.

Relevant audit-related documents

The three parts of the ISO 14064 standard and the ISO 14065 and ISO 14066 standards may be ordered on the website of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), through the ISO Store.

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is the global accounting tool that is most commonly used by government and business leaders to help them understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gases (GHGs).

The 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories are also an indispensable reference.

Audit stages

The BNQ’s process for auditing GHG data meets the latest applicable national and international accreditation requirements.

The process begins with an application for audit submitted using the accessible form under the previous heading, which must be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. along with a preliminary version of the GHG report to be audited. Once a service contract between the BNQ and the client has been signed (assuming that the audit services requested have been deemed appropriate by the BNQ) and the client’s inventory or project documentation has been sent to the BNQ, the name of the proposed auditor is given to the client.

Before the desk audit visit, a preliminary assessment of the client’s preparedness level is made, in particular by reviewing the GHG data and inventory or project documentation sent by the client. The results of this preliminary assessment are communicated to the client in a written report that may contain requests for clarification or required action requests (RARs). Before the site visit, the auditor in charge prepares an audit plan and sends it to the client.

The site visit then takes place, and the auditor conducts interviews, observes activities and facilities, and reviews documents to collect information relevant for evaluating the GHG assertion, and then verifies it. The auditor in charge determines whether or not the GHG reports of the audited business have been prepared according to prescribed calculation methods and whether or not the underlying data used to calculate GHG emissions or reductions are free of siginificant errors.

Observed departures from applicable audit baseline requirements and any discrepancy that could result in a material change in the GHG results and thereby compromise the assertion may the subject of RARs. RARs should normally be closed within 30 days of the request being sent in writing.

The findings of the notice of audit letter are based on the recommendation of the auditor in charge combined with a technical review of audit-related data by the program manager, to ensure that all BNQ audit program requirements have been met.

If the findings are favourable, written confirmation is sent to the client.

Notice of amendment

Subcommittee 7 “Greenhouse Gas Management and Related Activities” of the ISO Technical Committee 207 “Environmental Management” (ISO/TC 207) leads the revision and amendment projects for the ISO 14064 standard. Its progress can be monitored on the ISO website.

Why choose the BNQ?

For our accreditation through the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), which give us credible international recognition
For our transparent and impartial approach
For our desire to contribute to Quebec’s economic development
For our expertise and achievements in a range of fields

The skilled, versatile, well qualified experts at the BNQ have been auditing GHG inventory and reduction projects for 10 years, and they are constantly learning about the newest developments in this field.