Applying ISO Greenhouse Gas Management Standards to RGGI’s Offset Program Jay Wintergreen Presented by Presented at Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Stakeholder Meeting Hartford, Connecticut May 2, 2006 ISO CERTIFIED

Overview of ISO International Organization for Standardization (ISO) – Non-governmental organization that coordinates 140 member countries’ national standard bodies in development of standards for technical or management issues ISO 9000 (quality) & ISO (environmental management) Development of ISO – Began in 2002 with identification of need for harmonization of diverse GHG programs proliferating at international, national, regional and local levels – Included over 11 international negotiation meetings and the efforts of experts representing over 36 countries – The ISO standard was released for use in March 2006 – ISO is expected to be completed by September 2006

ISO CERTIFIED Structure of the ISO Standard Part 1: GHG Inventories –Specifications for the quantification, monitoring and reporting of entity emissions and removals Part 2: GHG Projects –Specifications for the quantification, monitoring and reporting of project emissions and removals Part 3: Verification –Specifications and guidance for validation, verification and certification Source: ISO FDIS 14064, Part 2

ISO CERTIFIED Key Considerations regarding ISO ISO Parts 1&2 are generally consistent and compatible with respective WBCSD/WRI GHG Protocol modules – ISO identifies the what GHG Protocol provides the how and why – ISO can be audited GHG Protocol provides choices ISO is designed to be policy and sector neutral – Provides foundation upon which additional requirements can be layered Additionality, quality thresholds, etc.

ISO CERTIFIED Benefits of Using ISO for RGGI Offset Program Incorporation of best practice Consistency between project types Consistency in performance of verification Decreased transaction costs Potential to facilitate linkages with other programs – Canadian GHG Offset Program – UNDP Climate/Millennium Goals Program

ISO CERTIFIED Summary of Recommendations Suggest the application of ISO Part 2 to RGGI offset projects Propose the use of ISO Part 3 for the offset verification process Propose that ISO be used in establishing accreditation requirements for RGGI offset verifiers

ISO CERTIFIED Contact Information First Environment Corporate Headquarters 91 Fulton Street Boonton, New Jersey Tel: Offices in California District of Columbia Illinois Georgia Mississippi New York Puerto Rico Ontario, Canada