DNV is the first company to be accredited by the UN Climate Change Panel to validate projects where companies in industrialised countries invest in climate change efforts in the developing world. The accreditation consolidates DNV’s strong position in the international climate change arena.
Facing the severe consequences of global warming, climate change has emerged as a major international concern. The so-called flexible mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol provide for transferable credits from greenhouse gas emission reduction projects.
One of these is the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), where industrialised countries or companies can receive credits for financing emission-avoiding projects in developing countries. In this way developing countries gain a new source of financing their sustainable development, whereas companies in industrialised countries can supplement their commitments to reduce emissions at home.
The CDM Executive Board, appointed by the parties to the UN Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC), yesterday accredited DNV for validation of climate change projects. Validation is a mandatory assessment of the design of a project against defined requirements, conducted by an independent verifier. DNV is the first and so far only company accredited for validation services related to renewable energy, energy efficiency and landfill gas capture projects.
Important milestone
“The accreditation marks an important milestone in DNV’s efforts to become a world leading provider of climate change services,” says Einar Telnes, technical director in DNV.
DNV has developed methodologies to secure credible audits, and is already accredited under both the Californian Climate Action Registry in the US and the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.