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Data connections for sustainability
VERIFICATION OF SUSTAINABILITY DATA
Build trust through assurance over sustainability data points
Consumer pressure for transparency and evolving legislative requirements has increased the need for organisations to disclose their sustainability performance and progress against targets.
Sustainability data points can be published in company reports, as part of external frameworks or requirements, or on the company website. However, it is important that they are accurate, truthful and assured by an independent third party.
Assurance of sustainability data points increases stakeholder confidence in the data reported, and also provides an opportunity for companies to gather independent feedback on their data collection and reporting systems and processes.
Bureau Veritas has an experienced team working with clients to verify their sustainability data.
WHAT TYPE OF SUSTAINABILITY DATA CAN BE ASSURED?
Sustainability assurance can cover a variety of data points.
Environmental data points include GHG emissions, energy and water use, waste, land use, biodiversity, air quality and biogenic emissions. Social data points include health and safety indicators, HR indicators, employee headcount, employee turnover or retention, diversity indicators, community engagement and investment metrics.
Bureau Veritas can verify most non-financial disclosures, if there is sufficient evidence and a robust methodology and process to support the claim.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR VERIFICATION OF SUSTAINABILITY DATA?
Our specialist team uses best practice methodology to assess the accuracy, consistency and completeness of data. This typically includes the following steps:
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Scoping and planning
Confirm the scope of work at the start of the project, and agree the project plan in collaboration with the client.
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Preliminary data review
Initial review of all reported data considering accuracy, consistency and completeness of data, before establishing a sampling plan.
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Interviews
Bureau Veritas specialists conduct interviews with the management team and those with operational responsibility for the indicators.
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Data and process review
Review of source evidence for the data reported on a sample basis.
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Final review and sign off
Review of the aggregation and calculations behind the final reported figures.
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Assurance statement issued
Once any necessary corrections have been made, we issue a statement that can be published alongside your data.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABILITY DATA VERIFICATION?
- Provide internal and external stakeholders with confidence that your data is relevant, complete and accurate
- Support compliance with applicable legislation including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive
- Reduce the corporate risks associated with the potential disclosure of inaccurate or misleading information
- Gather useful feedback on your data collection and reporting systems and processes
- Gain support from an experienced team of qualified sustainability experts
GET IN TOUCH WITH A MEMBER OF THE TEAM BY SUBMITTING YOUR DETAILS BELOW:
verification of sustainability data faqs
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WHERE CAN I PUBLISH MY SUSTAINABILITY DATA POINTS?
Data points can be reported in a Sustainability Report, Annual Report, or on a company’s webpage. Data points can be disclosed through voluntary reporting frameworks such as GRI, SASB, TCFD, or as part of an external benchmarking scheme including CDP, DJSI and FTSE. They can also be reported as part of government required disclosures such as SECR, or as a requirement for a Sustainability Linked Loan for example.
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WHAT STANDARDS DO BUREAU VERITAS USE FOR SUSTAINABILITY DATA VERIFICATION?
For assurance of data points we use standards ISAE3000, ISO 14064-3 (GHG emissions) or AA1000. We can also deliver gap analyses against external frameworks such as GRI, SASB and GHG protocol.
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HOW LONG DOES THE ASSURANCE PROCESS LAST?
Every project is different depending on the volume of data, the source methodologies, the client’s deadlines and whether a phased approach would be preferable. Subject to these differences, a typical assurance process could last between two and six months.
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HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SUSTAINABILITY DATA IS READY FOR ASSURANCE?
Bureau Veritas experts will work with you to establish suitability, however there is the possibility of conducting a readiness assessment before engaging in assurance. This is an approach to assess the readiness of KPIs for assurance and reduce the risk associated with a first time assurance engagement.
