Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Report Verification
As Vietnam and the international community accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon economy and net-zero emissions, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions information is becoming increasingly important for corporate governance, regulatory compliance, ESG disclosure, supply chain management and access to international markets.
A greenhouse gas inventory report presents an organization’s GHG emission sources, emissions and removals/sequestration for a defined reporting period. For this information to be sufficiently reliable for management, disclosure or communication to interested parties, the GHG statement should be independently, impartially and systematically evaluated against predetermined criteria.
GIC Vietnam provides GHG inventory report verification services for reports prepared in accordance with ISO 14064-1:2018 and/or criteria agreed with the client, with the objective of providing an independent conclusion on whether the GHG statement is presented in conformity with the applicable criteria and whether it contains any material misstatement.
In Vietnam, facilities included in the list of entities required to conduct GHG inventories are responsible for carrying out the inventory and preparing and submitting reports in accordance with regulations on GHG emission mitigation and ozone-layer protection, together with the technical guidance applicable to each sector. The use of verification results for compliance purposes depends on the specific requirements of applicable legislation or programmes; independent verification against ISO standards does not replace review, appraisal or approval by the competent authority.
Legal basis
The principal legal instruments relating to GHG inventory and reporting include:
- Decree No. 06/2022/ND-CP on GHG emission mitigation and ozone-layer protection, as amended and supplemented by Decree No. 119/2025/ND-CP and Decree No. 83/2026/ND-CP.
- Decision No. 13/2024/QD-TTg on the list of sectors and GHG-emitting facilities required to conduct GHG inventories: effective through 24 September 2026.
- Decision No. 42/2026/QD-TTg issuing the updated list: effective from 25 September 2026 and replacing Decision No. 13/2024/QD-TTg from 25 September 2026.
Note: Organizations/enterprises should check the legislation and sector-specific guidance in force at the time the inventory, verification and report submission are carried out.
Depending on the intended use of the GHG information, scope, subject matter and applicable programme, verification may be based on the following standards and criteria:
1. Requirements for verification bodies and competence
- ISO/IEC 17029:2019;
- ISO 14065:2020;
- ISO 14066:2023.
2. Verification process
- ISO 14064-3:2019;
- ISO 14064-5:2026 for remote verification activities/techniques, where appropriate;
- Additional requirements of the applicable verification/GHG programme.
3. Criteria for GHG inventory reports
- ISO 14064-1:2018;
- GHG Protocol - Corporate Standard;
- Vietnamese legislation and relevant programme/market requirements.
Additional guidance: Organizations preparing inventories in accordance with ISO 14064-1:2018 may refer to ISO/TS 14064-4:2025 – guidance for applying ISO 14064-1 at the organizational level.
Before commencing the engagement, GIC Vietnam agrees with the client on the applicable criteria, verification scope, reporting period, level of assurance and materiality appropriate to each verification engagement.
GIC Vietnam applies a verification approach based on risk and materiality. Based on strategic analysis and risk assessment, the evidence-gathering plan is designed to focus on emission sources, data, quantification methodologies and processes that may give rise to material misstatements.
- Review organizational and GHG reporting boundaries.
- Evaluate relevant emission sources, GHG sinks and direct/indirect emission categories.
- Evaluate systems for collecting, controlling, aggregating and managing GHG data.
- Check activity data, emission factors, quantification methods, assumptions and calculations.
- Trace data from the report back to aggregated data, records, source documents or other primary evidence.
- Sample and test evidence based on the risk assessment.
- Interview responsible personnel and observe relevant activities, equipment or emission sources where necessary.
- Perform recalculations, reconciliations and appropriate analytical procedures.
- Evaluate individual misstatements and aggregate their effects against the determined materiality threshold.
Verification output: Following completion of the verification, resolution of findings, independent review and the verification decision, GIC Vietnam issues a Verification Statement identifying the subject matter, scope, reporting period, criteria, level of assurance, verification conclusion and any relevant qualifications or limitations, where applicable.
1. Verification application & request review
The organization contacts GIC Vietnam for application guidance and provides the necessary information and documentation relating to the GHG inventory report. GIC Vietnam reviews the intended use of the results, scope, applicable criteria, reporting period, level of assurance, materiality, required competence and impartiality requirements before agreeing the contract.
2. Verification planning & preparation
GIC Vietnam appoints a verification team with appropriate competence; conducts strategic analysis and risk assessment; and develops the verification plan and evidence-gathering plan in accordance with the agreed scope, criteria, level of assurance and materiality.
3. Conducting verification
Verification is conducted on-site and/or remotely where appropriate to the agreed plan and applicable criteria. The verification team reviews the report and supporting records; interviews relevant personnel; traces and samples data; checks quantification methods, emission factors and assumptions; and performs recalculations, reconciliations and on-site observations where necessary.
4. Results reporting & findings resolution
GIC Vietnam consolidates the verification results, evaluates identified misstatements, omissions or other findings, and considers their effect on the GHG inventory report. Findings are communicated to the organization for explanation, provision of additional evidence or adjustment of data/reporting where necessary. The verification team evaluates the actions taken and completes the verification file and proposed conclusion before independent review.
5. Review & issuance of verification statement
The verification file, evidence, resolved findings and proposed conclusion are independently reviewed by a competent person who was not directly involved in the verification activities. Based on the review outcome and verification decision, GIC Vietnam issues a Verification Statement specifying the subject matter, scope, reporting period, applicable criteria, level of assurance, verification conclusion and any relevant qualifications or limitations.
6. Post-issuance information handling
If new information, events or evidence arise after the Verification Statement has been issued and may affect the verification conclusion, GIC Vietnam evaluates the nature and significance of that information. Where necessary, GIC Vietnam communicates with the organization and relevant parties and takes appropriate action in accordance with the applicable procedure, including consideration of amendment, replacement or withdrawal of the Verification Statement.
International reputation and conformity assessment capability
GIC is a conformity assessment body operating in accordance with international standards, with experience in auditing, certification and verification. Its competence management framework and international experience enable GIC Vietnam to deliver GHG verification services professionally, consistently and in line with organizational requirements.
Technical competence and international-standard verification methodology
The verification process is based on ISO 14064-3, ISO/IEC 17029, ISO 14065 and relevant programme requirements, applying a risk-, materiality- and assurance-based approach. Experts are selected to match the sector, emission sources and GHG data, while verification activities maintain independence, impartiality and confidentiality.
Professional, flexible and efficient service
GIC Vietnam defines the verification scope, plan and resources to suit each organization’s size, complexity and intended use of the results, helping optimize time and cost while ensuring that sufficient appropriate evidence is obtained to support the verification conclusion.
Contact information
GIC VIETNAM
Hanoi: 12F, 14 Lang Ha Building, Giang Vo Ward
Tel: 024 6275 2268 | Hotline: 0984 609 469
Email: tuandm@gicvn.vn
Ho Chi Minh City: R502, 160 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia
Tel: 028 3930 7936
