Carbon in Cologne

For SGS South Africa, attending the Carbon Expo in Cologne, Germany, last month proved hugely instructive

In terms of the verification of greenhouse gas emissions, SGS is, quite simply, widely recognised as a global leader. After all, it provides a range of services addressing mandatory and voluntary reporting of greenhouse gasses, and has done so since 1997.

Indeed, its programme brings together expertise from different business lines within SGS – including environment, system and service certification, industry, and agri/oil and gas.

Reasons professionals choose SGS are simple, and include the fact that it delivers with the speed and accuracy customers need. It also underpins the environmental integrity of emissions reporting and trading.

Accordingly, the presence of SGS South Africa's new CDM regional manager, Mia Antoni, at the Carbon Expo in Cologne, Germany , last month (May) was not only vital from a marketing perspective, but also highly professionally rewarding for her.

The three day Expo was preceded by a SGS climate change programme (CCP) workshop that facilitated interaction between the CCP colleagues from SGS offices from around the globe – including Europe, Brazil, China, India, Hong Kong and Panama – were led through which proved highly effective and comprehensive.

Some of the objectives of the workshop sessions were to provide an overview of the challenges and opportunities SGS has in the market – as well as to look at administrative and technical details. Yet another aspect – and a particularly illuminating one – was a look at other markets and services, with a view to learning more in detail about developments in those markets and of complimentary services.

These included an update on US development, and the demand for carbon corporate footprints and carbon labeling. Also explored in this session, was the demand for ISO 14064 verification and new methods of testing for biogenic CO₂.

“It was essentially like a management review,” she said. “We reviewed everything that relates to the UN FCCC (Framework for Climate Change Convention). SGS is a designated operational entity, accredited by the UN to undertake validation and verification services.”

“We also examined our procedures and updated them. The UNCCC executive board meets every other month and guidelines always change and so it's essential that we know to implement those changes. In an ever changing environment it is essential for SGS to adapt with as per UN requirements in order to continue to provide the high value service with which it has become synonymous.

“The African carbon market is still comparatively small,” adds Mia, “but looks set to expand quickly in the coming months. The fact that this was only the fifth Carbon Expo speaks volumes about the growth in this market worldwide.”

Commenting on the Carbon Expo and the fact that Mia represented SGS South Africa there, MD Quentin Hurt said: “As part of the SGS Environmental business, Ecoserv is committed to ensuring that an appropriate CDM service is available to our local customers.  Presently, this requires a great deal of research.  Participating in the Carbon Expo and meeting many of the leading parties in this initiative was a great networking experience for us.”