Mounting concern over climate change around the world has resulted in a wide array of legislative, regulatory and voluntary responses for reporting and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Corporate and public interest in sustainability and climate change issues, and voluntary reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions information, has grown significantly in the United States during the last decade. The number of U.S.-based companies seeking external assurance on their sustainability reports continues to grow. The majority of these companies are seeking a moderate level of assurance, or a review. While the existing attestation standards provide a framework for performing such services, the specific application guidance in this area needs to be developed.
The AICPA previously issued Statement of Position (SOP) 03-2, Attest Engagements on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Information, to provide guidance to CPAs on how to apply the attestation standards to GHG emissions reporting for an examination level of service with the expectation that it would be used to satisfy requirements for assurance in connection with GHG trading schemes or regulatory submissions.
However, the first requests coming through for assurance in the United States are not to satisfy regulatory requirements but, rather, appear to be from companies that are voluntarily looking to add more credibility to information that they are publicly reporting. As a result, they are seeking assurance for this purpose at a more cost-effective level than an examination.
To respond to this need, SOP 13-1 updates SOP 03-2 by including guidance on how to apply the attestation standards for a review engagement to the specific subject matter of GHG emissions information.
This SOP is an essential resource for practitioners performing GHG engagements, whether examinations or reviews, and provides guidance on performing and reporting:
- Examination or review on a schedule or an assertion relating to information about a GHG emissions inventory or a baseline GHG inventory
- Examination or review on a schedule or an assertion relating to information about a GHG emission reduction in connection with the recording of the reduction with a registry or a trade of that reduction or credit
About the Author: Founded in 1887, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) represents the CPA and accounting profession nationally and globally regarding rule-making and standard-setting, and serves as an advocate before legislative bodies, public interest groups and other professional organizations. The AICPA develops standards for audits of private companies and other services by CPAs; provides educational guidance materials to its members; develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination; and monitors and enforces compliance with the accounting profession's technical and ethical standards.
The AICPA's founding established accountancy as a profession distinguished by rigorous educational requirements, high professional standards, a strict code of professional ethics, a licensing status and a commitment to serving the public interest.
