ISO 14064-1:2018
GHG Inventory Standard
The international benchmark for quantifying and reporting organisational greenhouse gas emissions and removals. ISO 14064-1 specifies principles and requirements for designing, developing, managing, and reporting GHG inventories — forming the technical backbone of CarbonTrace calculations.
View official ISO standardWhat ISO 14064-1 covers
ISO 14064 is a three-part series. Part 1 — which CarbonTrace implements — focuses on organisational-level GHG inventories. It does not prescribe specific reduction targets but establishes the rigorous methodology that makes inventories credible, comparable, and auditable across borders and industries.
Organisational Boundary
Defines how an organisation draws boundaries for its GHG inventory — either by equity share, financial control, or operational control. The chosen approach must be applied consistently and disclosed.
Reporting Period
A minimum of 12 consecutive months. Base years must be set and maintained consistently. Recalculation of the base year is mandatory when significant structural changes occur (mergers, acquisitions, divestments).
Quantification Methodology
Emission factors must be sourced from recognised authorities (IPCC, DEFRA, EPA). Activity data must be documented with uncertainty assessments. Direct measurement, mass balance, and emission factor methods are all permitted.
Scope Coverage
Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (purchased energy), and Scope 3 (value chain) must be identified. Scope 3 categories that are material must be disclosed. Exclusions require written justification.
Data Quality
The standard requires a documented data quality assessment covering completeness, consistency, accuracy, transparency, and relevance. Tiered data quality ratings guide the selection of primary vs secondary emission factors.
Verification & Assurance
Independent third-party verification is required for regulatory submissions and recommended for all public disclosures. Materiality threshold: typically ±5% for limited assurance, ±2% for reasonable assurance.
Auditor's perspective
When conducting a ISO 14064-1 conformance audit, verifiers focus on five core areas:
- Completeness — are all material emission sources identified and included?
- Consistency — are the same methodologies applied year-on-year?
- Accuracy — is the uncertainty in emission factors and activity data quantified?
- Transparency — is the methodology documented and reproducible by a third party?
- Relevance — do the data and methods reflect the organisation's actual operations?
Materiality threshold: Most third-party verifiers apply a ±5% threshold for limited assurance and ±2% for reasonable assurance, consistent with ISAE 3410 (Assurance Engagements on Greenhouse Gas Statements).
The ISO 14064 series
Organisational Inventories
Specification for quantifying and reporting GHG emissions at the organisational level. Used by CarbonTrace.
Project Inventories
Quantification, monitoring and reporting of GHG emission reductions and removal enhancements at the project level (e.g. carbon offset projects).
Verification
Specification for the verification and validation of GHG statements — governs how third-party auditors conduct their assessments.
Related News & Regulatory Updates
ISO Technical Committee TC207 launches ISO 14064-1 revision process for 2026 update
ISO.org · 2025
UK Government mandates ISO 14064-1 alignment for SECR (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting)
GOV.UK · 2024
Singapore MAS Green Finance Action Plan requires ISO 14064 verified disclosures from 2025
MAS Singapore · 2024
EU CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) references ISO 14064-1 as baseline methodology
European Commission · 2024
Start your ISO 14064-1 aligned inventory
CarbonTrace follows every requirement of ISO 14064-1:2018 out of the box.