National Institute of Environmental Research "International Recognition for Greenhouse Gas Verification Capability"

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The National Institute of Environmental Research announced on the 2nd that it has been internationally recognized for its capabilities in the field of greenhouse gas emission verification through the conclusion of a Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) with the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) last month.

This agreement is a follow-up measure after signing a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) in the field of greenhouse gas verification last November. Through this agreement, South Korea has established an institutional foundation for direct linkage with international carbon markets such as the European Union (EU) Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

With the National Institute of Environmental Research acquiring the status of an accreditation body in the field of emission verification according to international standards (ISO), it plans to prepare so that the domestic greenhouse gas verification system and the domestic emission verification market can be recognized internationally in the future.

In the case of the EU Commission, since trade barriers are being lowered through mutual recognition agreements between countries within the framework of the International Accreditation Forum, the National Institute of Environmental Research plans to refer to this and contribute to the linkage of overseas reduction projects and the voluntary international carbon market in the private sector.

Going forward, it will promote the expansion of the scope of international mutual recognition to activate the private sector’s Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV). It plans to ensure that verification results of voluntary greenhouse gas reduction activities by domestic companies are accepted by counterpart countries without duplicate verification.

Kim Dongjin, Director of the National Institute of Environmental Research, said, “We will continue to strive to enhance the reliability and transparency of verification work regarding greenhouse gas emissions, reductions, and product carbon content in the global market.”