5 reasons to verify your carbon footprint

Regulations, customer expectations and industry standards make reliable data on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions a key resource. An independent verification of your carbon footprint not only strengthens the significance of your data – it creates trust, comparability and offers new opportunities in the market. In this article, you will learn about the tangible benefits of verifying your carbon footprint – and how you can tap into new potential as a result.

PCF & CCF: Why verifying your carbon footprint is crucial 

The carbon footprint – whether as a corporate carbon footprint (CCF) for the entire company or as a product carbon footprint (PCF) for individual products – is now much more than just an ecological indicator for companies. It is becoming a strategic factor for market position, investor confidence and corporate responsibility.

Calculating your carbon  footprint is an important first step – but independent verification by accredited bodies adds even more significance and trust. It creates additional comparability and strengthens the credibility of the results.

To ensure quality, companies rely on recognised standards: while DIN EN ISO 14064-1 (for greenhouse gas inventories at company level), DIN EN ISO 14067 (for product inventories) or the GHG Protocol (Corporate or Product Standard) structure the creation of inventories, standards such as DIN EN ISO 14064-3, DIN EN ISO/IEC 17029 and DIN EN ISO 14065 set the standards for independent verification. They ensure that a carbon footprint is not only methodologically correct, but also objectively verified and transparently documented.

Below, we show you five key reasons why this step is worthwhile and what specific advantages the verification offers.

5 reasons for independent verification

1. Legal certainty and regulatory clarity

Verified figures are one of the most effective means of countering accusations of greenwashing (Green Claims Directive, European Commission 2023; EmpCo Directive EU 2024/825). Accordingly, regulatory frameworks such as the CSRD, EU taxonomy, CBAM, the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and the EU Battery Regulation increasingly require external verification of carbon footprints.

The EU Taxonomy provides an example: the Technical Screening Criteria for Climate Change Mitigation explicitly require "quantified life-cycle GHG emissions […] verified by an independent third party" for more than ten economic activities (Technical Screening Criteria according to EU Taxonomy, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2139, Annex I). This not only strengthens external credibility, but also supports compliance with legal requirements – depending on the application.

In addition, the EU Battery Regulation requires manufacturers of certain types of batteries – in particular industrial batteries and batteries for electric vehicles – to calculate the product carbon footprint using the PEF method and have it verified by an independent body (see Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, Articles 7 and 18, and Rules for the calculation and verification of the carbon footprint).

Within the framework of the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), the DEHSt (German Emissions Trading Authority) also requires the submission of verified emissions reports. These must be verified by an independent, accredited testing body in accordance with European regulations – otherwise the reporting obligation is deemed not to have been fulfilled, which can lead to sanctions.

2. Improve ESG ratings in a targeted manner

Sustainability ratings have become standard in many places. Platforms such as EcoVadis and CDP, for example, award bonus points if the submitted carbon footprint has been externally verified. A higher ESG score can have a positive impact on customer and investor ratings, increase your chances of attracting attractive investments, and strengthen your position in the capital market.

The following applies to the EcoVadis Carbon Rating: "Responses should be evidence-based, meaning that most answers will require supporting documentation. Ensure all documents are valid and relevant, as incomplete submissions may impact your score." ( EcoVadis Help Centre, 2024).

The CDP Climate Change Scoring 2025 also takes the verification of greenhouse gas emissions into account: For Scope 1 and Scope 2, CDP requires external verification of at least 95% of the reported emissions data . For Scope 3, verification of emissions from at least one category is required (see sections 7.9.1–7.9.3). Full verification (100%) is additionally rewarded by inclusion in the A List.

3. Competitive advantage and meeting stakeholder expectations

An externally verified carbon footprint sets you apart from the competition – and at the same time strengthens the trust of customers, investors, funding providers and other stakeholders. Numerous market analyses show that companies with transparent and credible climate data enjoy a clear reputation and procurement advantage. Industry-specific initiatives such as Catena-X (automotive industry) or Together for Sustainability (TfS) (chemical industry) are now defining their own standards and requirements for the verification of carbon footprints along the supply chain. The first companies from these and other industries – including Unilever, Microsoft and Bosch – are already actively integrating verified carbon footprints into their purchasing and supplier decisions. In their respective codes of conduct, they reserve the right to require suppliers to disclose their carbon footprints and, if necessary, to demand verification.

4. Convince investors with verified emission data

For investors, one thing counts above all: reliable figures. Verified emission data is particularly relevant in the context of ESG and sustainable finance. A verified carbon footprint increases your chances for attractive investments, strengthens your position in the capital market environment and gives you a clear market advantage.

One example is the Climate Bonds Standard: here, accredited verifiers can rely on independent third-party confirmations when auditing greenhouse gas data – provided that these comply with recognised international standards such as the GHG Protocol. If such confirmation is not available, the verifiers must check the greenhouse gas accounting used themselves and assess its reliability in the context of the standard.

Verifiable climate accounting is also increasingly becoming a prerequisite for green bonds and other sustainable finance instruments. Those who act transparently and rely on external verification not only convince institutions and investors, but also increase their capital attractiveness.

5. From transparency to impact: reduction potential for genuine decarbonisation

An independent verification of your carbon footprint according to recognised standards shows that you don't just talk – you deliver. You back up your commitment to climate protection with facts – which speaks volumes to customers, investors and business partners. Besides, the external verification of methodology, data sources and emission limits not only increases transparency, but also provides valuable knowledge about your emission hotspots and weak points. This allows you to identify specific reduction potentials and drive real improvements for your climate impact. 

Conclusion: Verification makes the difference

Verifying your carbon footprint is not a nice extra – it is a crucial step in future-proofing your business. Whether it's to meet regulatory requirements, gain the trust of customers, partners and investors, or access new markets and sources of financing, a verified carbon footprint creates clarity and strengthens your position. At the same time, it provides valuable insights for the targeted reduction of emissions – and makes your climate commitment credible and transparently visible.

Find out how the verification process at EurA works and how you can best prepare your company:
EurA AG – Verification of greenhouse gas inventories