Standards Comparison

    ISO 14064

    Voluntary
    2018

    International standards for GHG quantification, reporting, verification

    VS

    GRI

    Voluntary
    2021

    Global standards for sustainability impact reporting

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 14064 provides precise GHG measurement, reporting, and verification rules for credible inventories, while GRI offers modular sustainability standards for disclosing material impacts. Companies adopt ISO 14064 for GHG compliance and GRI for broad stakeholder accountability.

    Greenhouse Gas Accounting

    ISO 14064

    ISO 14064 Greenhouse gases quantification and reporting

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Modular three-part structure for inventories, projects, assurance
    • Five core principles ensure relevance, completeness, transparency
    • Flexible boundaries with equity share or control approaches
    • Scope 1-3 emissions classification and quantification methods
    • Risk-based validation/verification at reasonable or limited levels
    Sustainability Reporting

    GRI

    Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Impact-based materiality process (GRI 3)
    • Modular Universal, Sector, Topic Standards
    • Mandatory GRI Content Index for traceability
    • Broad value chain and supplier disclosures
    • Worker participation and OHS management (GRI 403)

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    ISO 14064 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 14064 is an international standard family (Parts 1:2018, 2:2019, 3:2019) for GHG quantification, reporting, and assurance. It provides a modular framework for organizations and projects, emphasizing principle-based approaches like relevance and transparency.

    Key Components

    • **Three partsOrganizational inventories (Part 1), project reductions (Part 2), validation/verification (Part 3).
    • **Five principlesRelevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, accuracy.
    • Aligned with GHG Protocol; supports Scope 1-3 boundaries.
    • Voluntary verification with reasonable/limited assurance levels.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Drives regulatory compliance (e.g., CSRD, SB-253), investor trust, and decarbonization strategy. Mitigates greenwashing risks, enables carbon markets, and reveals efficiency opportunities. Enhances credibility for stakeholders.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased approach: governance, boundary setting, data collection, verification. Applies to all sizes/industries globally; integrates with ISO 14001. Involves 6-12 months typically, with third-party audits optional but recommended.

    GRI Details

    What It Is

    GRI Standards, officially the Global Reporting Initiative Standards, are a modular framework for sustainability reporting. Their primary purpose is to enable organizations to disclose significant economic, environmental, and social impacts using an impact-centric materiality approach, prioritizing actual and potential effects on stakeholders over purely financial concerns.

    Key Components

    • Universal Standards (GRI 1: Foundation, GRI 2: General Disclosures, GRI 3: Material Topics) for baseline requirements.
    • Sector Standards for high-impact industries like oil & gas, mining.
    • Topic Standards (e.g., GRI 403: Occupational Health & Safety, GRI 308: Supplier Environmental Assessment) with specific disclosures. Built on principles like accuracy, balance, verifiability; compliance via GRI Content Index; no formal certification, but assurance encouraged.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Drives regulatory alignment (e.g., EU CSRD), stakeholder trust, risk management, and benchmarking. Enhances reputation, capital access, and operational efficiency through comparable data.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased approach: materiality assessment, data architecture, management disclosures, Content Index creation. Applies to all organization sizes, sectors, geographies; involves governance, stakeholder engagement, and optional external assurance. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 14064
    GHG quantification, reporting, verification (org/project)
    GRI
    Broad sustainability impacts (economic, environmental, social)

    Industry

    ISO 14064
    All sectors worldwide, any organization size
    GRI
    All sectors globally, emphasis on high-impact industries

    Nature

    ISO 14064
    Voluntary international standard family
    GRI
    Voluntary modular reporting standards framework

    Testing

    ISO 14064
    Third-party validation/verification (ISO 14064-3)
    GRI
    Independent assurance recommended, content index traceability

    Penalties

    ISO 14064
    No legal penalties, loss of credibility/certification
    GRI
    No legal penalties, reputational/market risks

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 14064 and GRI

    ISO 14064 FAQ

    GRI FAQ

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