SCS Offers Verification of GHG Projects that Achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals
SCS Achieves Accreditation for SD VISta Standard
EMERYVILLE, Calif., August 4, 2020 /3BL Media/ — SCS Global Services (SCS) is proud to announce its recent accreditation to verify projects against the Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard (SD VISta).
SD VISta was launched by Verra, which develops and manages standards for climate action and sustainable development, in 2019. SD VISta enables projects to assess and report the sustainable development benefits they generate, demonstrating the projects’ contributions to the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs address 17 key challenges to building a more sustainable future, such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation.
SD VISta offers a range of possibilities for project developers. When using SD VISta independently, project developers to may report on and make specific verified claims about a project’s contributions to the SDGs. When using SD VISta in conjunction with the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), the project developer may also affix the SD VISta label to the VCUs they produce, demonstrating that the project not only reduced or removed emissions, but did so in a way that contributed to the SDGs. Lastly, project developers who use a SD VISta approved methodology may produce SD VISta assets – standardized, transactable units representing achievements of an environmental or social benefit.
Beyond individual projects, the standard is also designed to help incentivize companies, countries and other organizations to achieve one or more of the SDGs.
“As a company working to advance sustainability for more than three decades, SCS is excited to add SD VISta to the suite of project types and standards against which we verify,” said Christie Pollet-Young, Director of Greenhouse Gas Verification at SCS. “As organizations develop projects to reduce carbon emissions, they increasingly need more funding to be able to invest in sustainability initiatives. I am very inspired and encouraged that carbon credit buyers value purchasing carbon credits that have additional benefits such as conserving biodiversity, supporting livelihood opportunities in local communities, and promoting education. The addition of the SD VISta label to a carbon offset project, like a VCS project, indicates that these credits are more impactful and therefore more attractive to buyers.”
“By verifying projects against SD VISta, SCS will play in important role in supporting projects that track progress against the SDGs,” said David Antonioli, CEO of Verra. “Their work will bring much-needed rigor to the assessment of sustainable development outcomes, including those that are generated by GHG emission reduction or removal projects, and instill confidence that these projects have real impact and drive transformation on the ground.”
Key highlights of the SD VISta Standard:
- Applies to any project that contributes to the SDGs
- Utilizes robust safeguards to protect stakeholders and the environment.
- Requires third-party assessment and verification to confirm advancement of the SDGs
- Verification can be achieved alone, or alongside other standards
For more information on verifying carbon offset projects toward the SD VISta Standard, please contact Christie Pollet-Young at +1 (510) 452-9093 or cpollet-young@scsglobalservices.com, or visit https://www.scsglobalservices.com/services/carbon-offset-verification.
About SCS Global Services
SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. For more information visit www.scsglobalservices.com.
