Costa Rica Gives SCS Global Services Go-Ahead to Verify Carbon Footprints and Carbon Neutrality under Ambitious Carbon Neutrality Initiative

 SCS Global Services (SCS) has earned accreditation from the Costa Rican government as a carbon footprint verification body under its ambitious new climate policy, which aims to make Costa Rica the first carbon neutral country. SCS will verify the measurement of private and public sector entities' carbon footprints to help the government evaluate policies for emissions reduction.

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Costa Rica is one of six nations that have signed commitments to achieve carbon neutrality. To meet the commitment, it is necessary to measure emissions from industry, transportation, energy production, and other sources, promote policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), and use carbon offsets to counter emissions that cannot otherwise be mitigated. Public entities and private companies are required to measure their carbon footprints and have these calculations verified by an accredited independent third-party auditing body to ensure that their greenhouse gas emissions are being reported accurately and uniformly. The Costa Rican government will sell Costa Rican offset units to reporting entities that have measured their GHG inventories and have demonstrated efforts to reduce emissions.

Another key component of the national strategy is a "Carbon Neutral" certification label that businesses can use to show consumers that they have mitigated their greenhouse gas emissions. Ente Costarricense de Acreditacion, the Costa Rican accreditation body, has approved SCS to verify companies as carbon neutral if they achieve zero net emissions through a combination of emissions reductions and purchase of offset credits.

"Assuring the accurate measurement of carbon emissions is crucial to helping Costa Rica achieve its carbon neutrality goals," said Dr. Robert J. Hrubes, Executive Vice President of SCS. "As one of the world's most experienced companies in third-party environmental certification and verification, we look forward to bringing our experience to Costa Rica's groundbreaking carbon neutrality program."

Costa Rica has long been recognized as a world leader in its efforts to conserve natural resources. Costa Rica has created the National System of Conservation Areas that protects over 25 percent of national territory in parks, reserves and wildlife refuges. The country views efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions country-wide as an important measure in the continued preservation of its natural resources.

SCS Global Services (formerly Scientific Certification Systems) has been providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for nearly 30 years. Its programs span a wide cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, retail, and more.  SCS provides accredited auditing services under a wide range of internationally recognized certification and verification programs.  SCS is a chartered benefit corporation and Certified B Corp™, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. www.scsglobalservices.com