Peer Verification

Organizations seeking to meet their Scope 3 emissions (e.g., indirect emissions such as employee commuting) goals typically employ a mixture of strategies: they engage in low-carbon activities and purchase carbon offsets to cover remaining emissions. While many universities follow this path, they want more; they want offset projects that directly benefit their campus or nearby communities, and they want to use offset projects as an educational opportunity.  

Peer Verification is a more affordable means of external authentication of carbon offsets and/ or the protocol used. Our vision is that this less traditional pathway will engage people who otherwise would be left out of the offset project space; in this way, we can help to expand awareness and understanding about the role of offsets in reaching climate reduction targets, and hopefully stimulate more creativity in how offsets are generated.

The process of verification is the evaluation of a carbon offset project for accuracy of calculated net GHG impact and fulfillment of protocol requirements. Peer Verification uses educational institutions to act as verifiers, instead of using ISO accredited verifiers. By using educational institutions, not only does the project implementer avoid extensive costs, the verifier institution can bolster its academic mission and offer the verification process as a learning opportunity for students.

Peer Verification will include a verification statement, a formal written declaration providing assurance that a GHG assertion is in conformity with the Project Plan, applicable requirements of the appropriate sector standard, and the chosen methodology. The verification statement will include the quantity of emission reduction tons verified for the reporting period and the Peer Verification Body’s determination that the assertion of emissions offsets is materially correct.

Please Note: The Offset Network will be shifting to Project Type Focus Initiatives effective fall 2023. This means our resources will be directed toward peer review of specific carbon offset project types for dedicated periods of time. Our first focus initiative is Improved Forest Management (IFM). Campuses interested in IFM project development or protocol work are invited to participate. Click here for more information.

To inquire about becoming a peer verifier for the IFM Focus Initiative, contact mleigh@secondnature.org