Verification basis: Unbundled certificates
This disclosure type refers to Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) or Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) which are purchased by an organisation separate to the energy that organisation purchases.
What disclosures are required for verification?
To make a verification claim based on unbundled certificates, a provider must share:
- A copy of the EACs issued in the same region as they are making the claim for.
See Appendix D in the 24-7 Carbon-Free Coalition (24-7 CFC) Technical Standard for accepted EACs by country.
What is a credible claim for the purposes of verification?
Any claims made must be credible, in that they are unique and exclusive to the organisation making those claims. They must also be timely and deliverable – (e.g. a renewable energy certificate from 2016 cannot be used to make claims for the 2025 calendar year; nor can a renewable energy certificate from Norway be used to make a claim for operations in the region of Singapore).
For a detailed explanation of what constitutes a Credible Claim, please refer to the Climate Group’s 24-7 CFC Technical Criteria Appendix A.
Third-party limited assurance
For providers unable to share disclosures in the aforementioned categories, we also accept third-party limited assurance report covering Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions for that organisation. This means that an independent auditor has obtained sufficient and appropriate disclosures that the organisation has used one/more of the mechanisms listed above to support claims of using 100% fossil-free energy from their hosting infrastructure.
To make a verification claim based on limited assurance, the limited assurance must specify:
- The region/s it is applicable to
- The GHG Scope/s (Scope 1 or 2) which is being assessed
- The basis under which the limited assurance has been reached. Namely, use of:
Providers must also share the related sustainability report and/or other documents for which that limited assurance has been provided.