GHG Management Institute Issues First Code of Conduct for GHG Professionals

Washington, DC - April 7, 2009 – In March 2009, the U.S. EPA proposed a rule for mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting from large emitters. This rule signals that the GHG industry will require professionals who can effectively and ethically manage, verify and account for emissions.

Like any industry where there are large financial transactions entailing complex accounting and pollution reporting procedures, there is a high risk for discrepancies and misconduct. Recognizing the factors that can accompany GHG markets, and to develop professionalism in the industry, the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute has issued the first Code of Conduct.

The Code of Conduct (www.ghginstitute.org/code) is applicable to anyone providing services, consulting or products, or creating materials focused on GHG accounting, reporting, auditing, management and policy. As such, one of the Code’s main sections focuses on competency, and follows that professionals have the qualifications to practice in the field and only provide products and services that are in line with their skill and experience level.

The recent 2009 Greenhouse Gas and Climate Change Workforce Needs Assessment Survey Report (www.ghginstitute.org/survey), which asserts that the success of GHG emission policies (e.g. EPA’s reporting rule), programs and international agreements will be defined by the integrity and credibility of GHG measurement and accounting systems, supports the Code. The reliability and credibility of GHG data is dependent on the staff that supports these systems, making the Code of Conduct even more relevant in an environment that has seen scandals in the financial industry over the past years. In fact, the Report’s survey found that 83 percent of respondents (senior level professionals who work on climate change issues) think that there is a moderate to high risk of an ”Enron” style scandal in GHG accounting.

“Ethical codes of conduct, combined with quality education and training, are a prerequisite for efficient, credible GHG markets,” Tom Baumann, director of the Institute’s Professional Programs, said. “The markets, which are relatively new and unregulated, are expected to trade over US$1 trillion by 2020. The Code of Conduct is designed to help build an infrastructure that will inherently guard against misconduct.”

The GHG Management Institute is the only organization that trains professionals in GHG management globally. The Code of Conduct is currently voluntary among the Institute’s 1,500 person membership; however, it will soon be mandatory for certified professionals working on GHG markets and policies.

The entire Code of Conduct can be viewed at http://www.ghginstitute.org/code

Note: GHG Management Institute is hosting a side event at the Carbon TradeEx America Conference (Washington, DC) on Tues. April 7, from 2:30-3:15pm (Room 149 B). The session, “Addressing the Competency Gap in GHG Markets” will discuss the Institute’s training and programs for both new and experienced GHG practitioners. More information: http://www.carbontradeexamerica.com/

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About the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute
The Greenhouse Gas Management Institute, a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization, trains, certifies and networks a global community of experts that account, audit and manage GHG emissions based on world-class training and professional standards. The Institute enrolls individuals and organizations, from beginners to certified professionals, on all aspects of climate change. Co-founded by ClimateCHECK and the GHG Experts Network, the Institute works with the World Resources Institute, the World Bank, the UNFCCC, the Carbon Disclosure Project, Point Carbon and other leading experts on training and programs utilizing innovative internet tools to ensure that market mechanisms and policy responses to climate change are effective and credible. More information: www.ghginstitute.org

Contact Information

Tim Stumhofer

Program Associate

Greenhouse Gas Management Institute

Contact via E-mail