Annual Verification Audit Protocol
For Auditors and Sellers Participating in Green-e® Climate
Reporting Year 2012
Center for Resource Solutions
1012 Torney Ave, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94129
415-561-2100 | www.resource-solutions.org
Copyright © 2010 Center for Resource Solutions. All Rights Reserved.
Table of Contents
I.
A.
B.
II.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
III.
OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Objectives of Verification Audit Protocol ................................................................................................ 1
Summary Requirements.......................................................................................................................... 1
GENERAL VERIFICATION AUDIT PROVISIONS .................................................................................... 3
Scope of Verification Audit...................................................................................................................... 3
Form of Engagement and Report ............................................................................................................ 3
Scope of Testing ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Period and Sales Covered by Reporting Requirements .......................................................................... 4
Use of the Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy for Emissions Reductions in Certified
Products .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Date the Annual Verification Submission Is Due to the Center for Resource Solutions ......................... 5
Other Materials to be Submitted to the Center for Resource Solutions with the Annual Verification
Submission .............................................................................................................................................. 6
Use of Sampling Techniques ................................................................................................................... 6
Tests of Attributes ................................................................................................................................... 8
Principal Testing to Be Performed .......................................................................................................... 8
Applying General Procedures to Specific Cases ...................................................................................... 8
SPECIFIC VERIFICATION AUDIT REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................... 9
III.A. Verification of Emissions Reduction Retirements and/or Transfers ..................................................... 11
B. Verification of Sales............................................................................................................................... 17
C. Verification of Product Content Label(s) ............................................................................................... 21
D. Balance of Supply and Sales .................................................................................................................. 23
E.
Sales by Customer Location and Type................................................................................................... 24
F.
Sales of Green-e Climate Certified Products by Third-party Distributors ............................................. 25
IV.
A.
GREEN-E CLIMATE PROTOCOL FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY: AUDITING PROCEDURES ........................ 28
Verification of Eligibility and Ownership of Supply ............................................................................... 28
A.
B.
FINAL STEPS AND CHECKS ............................................................................................................. 31
Additional Auditor Comments .............................................................................................................. 31
Signature and Report Completion......................................................................................................... 32
V.
VI.
AUDITOR’S QUALIFICATIONS ......................................................................................................... 33
VII.
HOW TO GET HELP ........................................................................................................................ 33
APPENDIX A:
GLOSSARY OF TERMS ............................................................................................................................. 34
APPENDIX B:
DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT TITLES AND OTHER INFORMATION NEEDED BY THE AUDITOR .................. 39
APPENDIX C:
BASELINE EMISSION RATES FROM THE GREEN-E CLIMATE PROTOCOL FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY ........... 41
APPENDIX D:
USING REGISTRIES IN GREEN-E CLIMATE ANNUAL VERIFICATION ........................................................... 42
APPENDIX E:
AUDITOR’S ATTESTATION FOR AGREED-UPON PROCEDURES REPORT .................................................... 46
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
Copyright © 2010 Center for Resource Solutions. All Rights Reserved.
I.
OVERVIEW
This document, the Green-e® Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol (“Audit Protocol”),
addresses the verification reporting requirements for the Green-e Climate Program. The term
Seller1, as used in this document, refers to a seller of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
reductions (“emissions reductions”) that has a contract to sell one or more Green-e Climate
Certified emissions reduction products (“Certified Products”). This document describes how to
conduct the independent verification audit that Green-e Climate requires as part of its annual
verification of Certified Products. The verification audit covers all sales of Certified Products in a
particular calendar year, referred to as the Reporting Year (RY). The verification audit should
be documented in an Agreed-Upon Procedures Report. This report and the entire Green-e
Climate Annual Verification Submission (“Annual Verification Submission”) must be received at
the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) no later than June 3, 2013, and must be mailed to the
address on the cover page of this document.
The verification audit is as follows.

Sellers must complete the Green-e Climate Verification Worksheets2 (“Worksheets”),
described in the Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Instructions
(“Instructions”), and provide these and supporting documentation described in the
Green-e Climate Verification Checklist (“Checklist”) and Appendix B to an independent
certified public accountant or certified internal auditor (“Auditor”).

The Auditor then follows this Audit Protocol to verify the accuracy of the information
provided by the Seller.

The Auditor’s Agreed-Upon Procedures Report, the Seller’s completed Worksheets, and
other supporting documents identified in the Checklist are returned to CRS for final
review and acceptance. All of these documents are collectively called the Annual
Verification Submission.
A.
Objectives of Verification Audit Protocol
The primary objectives of this Audit Protocol are:

To state the CRS assurance requirements relating to Green-e Climate; and

To provide guidance to Sellers and their Auditors on how to satisfy and report on these
assurance requirements.
B.
Summary Requirements
Under Green-e Climate, the Seller is required to reconcile emissions reduction sales with
emissions reduction retirements and/or transfers of emissions reduction ownership in order to
1
Terms defined in Appendix A are indicated in bold type the first time they appear.
Documents necessary for the Auditor defined in Appendix B are indicated in bold italic type the first time they
appear.
2
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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verify that they have retired/transferred enough emissions reductions in quantity and type to
meet its customer demand for each specific Certified Product.
Green-e Climate requires that the Certified Products sold by Sellers meet a variety of criteria.
These criteria address supply and sales, eligibility of emissions reductions, product marketing,
and customer disclosure. Full Program eligibility criteria can be found in the Green-e Climate
Code of Conduct. Each Certified Product offered by the Seller must be audited. The purpose of
this Audit Protocol is to verify the criteria summarized in the list below. The specific
information to be provided by the Seller and the tests to be performed by the Auditor is
described in detail in Sections III, and in Section IV for Sellers using the Green-e Climate
Protocol for Renewable Energy (“Protocol for Renewable Energy”) as their Endorsed Program.
1. Supply – the Seller retired and/or transferred eligible emissions reductions as defined
by the Green-e Climate Program, and the retirement and/or transfer of eligible
emissions reductions as reported by the Seller are accurate.3
2. Sales – sales of the Certified Product(s) are reported accurately.
3. The Seller has accurately reported the number and type of customers purchasing the
Certified Product(s), the volume of eligible emissions reductions sold to those
customers, and the sales channels through which they were sold.
4. Balance of supply and sales – retirements and/or transfers of eligible emissions
reductions were sufficient in amount and type to meet Certified Product sales.
5. Information provided to customers on the Product Content Label regarding the
emissions reduction project type, the Endorsed Program used, project location(s),
vintage and the composition of Certified Product with respect to the aforementioned
characteristics is accurate.
6. Information provided to customers on the Project List accurately details the projects
from which emissions reductions are sourced at the time of sale.
Criteria Applicable only to Certified Products being wholly or partially supplied by emissions
reductions according to the Protocol for Renewable Energy:
7. The emissions reductions are based on electricity generation from facilities that have
been approved by CRS as eligible to be used by Sellers selling a Certified Product using
the Protocol for Renewable Energy as an Endorsed Program.
8. The emissions reductions from approved renewable energy facilities were based on
electricity generation in the calendar year in which the product was sold, the first three
months of the following calendar year, and/or the last six months of the prior calendar
year.
3
The process for the requirements of registries to substantiate ownership of emissions reductions through
retirements and transfers is included in Appendix E of this document, Using Registries in Green-e Climate Annual
Verification.
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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9. The emissions reductions were based on electricity generation occurring after the date
the project was approved by CRS as eligible to be used as supply for Sellers selling a
Certified Product.
10. The quantity of Megawatt-hours (“MWhs”) of renewable energy generation was
accurately reported and correctly converted to metric tons of carbon dioxide
equivalent (“CO2e”) using the conversion methodology set forth in the Protocol for
Renewable Energy and described in Appendix C of this Audit Protocol, and the MWh of
renewable energy were fully retired.
II.
GENERAL VERIFICATION AUDIT PROVISIONS
A.
Scope of Verification Audit
The verification audit addressed in the Audit Protocol is for the annual verification reporting
requirements of the Green-e Climate Program. This guidance is to be used by Sellers
participating in Green-e Climate and their Auditors. CRS acknowledges that the procedures put
forward in the Audit Protocol are sufficient when performed in their entirety.
B.
Form of Engagement and Report
Seller must engage an independent certified public accountant to perform this verification audit
engagement and report on agreed-upon procedures. Alternatively, the Sellers may elect to
have their internal audit department (or the internal audit department of an affiliated
company) perform these procedures, provided that the individual accountant signing the report
for the internal audit department is a Certified Internal Auditor in good standing with the
Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). The term “Auditor” in this document refers to an
independent public accountant or certified internal auditor. The verification audit engagement
and report on agreed-upon procedures must be performed in accordance with the Green-e
Climate Verification Audit Protocol, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
(AICPA) Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements, Section 600, “Agreed Upon
Procedures Engagements,” or under Statements on Auditing Standards, Section 622,
“Engagements to Apply Agreed-Upon Procedures to Specified Elements, Accounts, or Items of a
Financial Statement.”
The form of the report should follow the instructions in Section III of the Audit Protocol and as
such specify the procedures performed and findings in a manner similar to reporting under
Section AT600 or AU622 of the AICPA’s attestation or auditing standards, respectively. The
Auditor should make reasonable efforts to ensure that the report is prepared in accordance
with these minimum standards. In accordance with paragraph .41 of AICPA Section AU622 (in
which “accountant” is equivalent to “Auditor”):
“The accountant need not perform procedures beyond the agreed-upon procedures.
However, if, in connection with the application of agreed-upon procedures, matters
come to the accountant’s attention by other means that significantly contradict the
basis of accounting for the specified elements, accounts, or items of a financial
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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statement referred to in the accountant’s report, the accountant should include this
matter in his or her report. For example, if, in connection with the application of
agreed-upon procedures, the accountant becomes aware of a potentially material
adjustment to that account by means other than performance of the agreed-upon
procedures, the accountant should include this matter in his or her report.”
The Seller may elect a higher level of assurance with regard to its reporting requirements
conducted by an Auditor. CRS welcomes attestation or similar audit-level assurance with
regard to the information, forms and assertions described in this Audit Protocol. Such
alternative reporting should also be discussed with Green-e Climate staff prior to submission of
the report.
The Agreed-Upon Procedures Report must contain an original signature of the Auditor
performing the audit on his or her company letterhead. Photocopies or facsimile copies are not
accepted.
In addition, each Auditor must complete a copy of the Auditor Attestation to accompany each
Agreed-Upon Procedures Report written. The Auditor Attestation must also contain and
original signature, and is included as Appendix E.
C.
Scope of Testing
The management of the Seller will need to make certain decisions regarding the scope of
testing. This is due to the guidance involving agreed-upon procedures conducted in accordance
with the AICPA, at Section AT600 or Section AU622, which results in an Auditor’s report that is
in the form of procedures and findings and not in the form of an opinion or negative assurance.
Additionally, the specified users of the Agreed-Upon Procedures Report are responsible for the
sufficiency (nature, timing and extent) of the agreed-upon procedures, and assume the risk that
such procedures might be insufficient for their purpose or that they might misunderstand or
inappropriately use findings properly reported by the Auditors.
CRS has attempted to provide an Audit Protocol that requires limited decisions necessary from
the management of the Seller or from the Auditor. However, in those situations where it is
necessary, the Audit Protocol clearly indicates when scope decisions are necessary and who
should make those decisions. If questions regarding the scope arise, please contact Green-e
Climate staff for guidance, and for approval of any changes that may be necessary to address
scope issues.
D.
Period and Sales Covered by Reporting Requirements
The Agreed-Upon Procedures Report must be prepared for Green-e Climate on a calendar year
basis. For those companies that began participating in Green-e Climate in the middle of a RY,
the reports should be prepared for the period starting on the date the Seller signed their Greene Climate contract and ending on December 31 of the RY, or alternatively for the full RY if given
permission of Green-e Climate staff.
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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RY2012 verification should cover sales made between January 1, 2012 and December 31,
2012—that is, sales that originated in 2012 or deliveries to be made in 2012 under Multi-year
Purchase Agreements or contracts entered into in previous years. The time of delivery for sales
that originated in 2012 may not line up exactly with the time of sale, and deliveries for 2012
sales may occur up until verification of RY2012 (which occurs in 2013). As long as the delivery is
made in accordance with a 2012 sale or 2012 scheduled delivery under a multi-year purchase
agreement, then the sale falls under the verification audit for RY2012. The year of sale or
scheduled delivery should be evident based on Internal Reporting Documents and Billing
Statements, but if it is not, then Seller can simply confirm the time of sale with the Auditor.
The time of sale and time of delivery are different from the vintage, which is when the
reduction occurred. Sellers must report the vintage to customers on the Product Content Label.
The reduction must have occurred, been verified and credited by an Endorsed Program, and
been delivered (fully retired/transferred) by the Seller by the time of the verification audit.
Green-e Climate has other vintage eligibility requirements only for emissions reductions from
the Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy, which overlap from year to year4.
E.
Use of the Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy for Emissions Reductions in
Certified Products
If the Seller is sourcing all or part of their emissions reductions from renewable energy facilities
according to the Protocol for Renewable Energy, additional auditing procedures are required.
These procedures are detailed in Section IV, Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy:
Auditing Procedures. These procedures are not applicable to Sellers that do not use projects
approved under the Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy to supply their Certified
Product(s). The Checklist indicates if the Seller is using the Protocol for Renewable Energy to
supply their Certified Product(s). Please note that the Protocol for Renewable Energy will expire
after RY2012.
F.
Date the Annual Verification Submission Is Due to the Center for Resource Solutions
The Agreed-Upon Procedures Report must be submitted to CRS and received no later than the
date provided in the Reporting Year 2012 Annual Verification Submission Timeline and
Deadlines (“Verification Timeline”). For RY2012, this due date is June 3, 2013. Materials may be
submitted electronically or in hardcopy, though completed Verification Worksheets must be
submitted both in hardcopy and in Microsoft Excel™ compatible electronic format. Electronic
copies of materials and the electronic version of the Worksheets must be emailed to
climate@green-e.org (Subject: RY2012 Green-e Climate Verification Submission) and received
no later than the date provided in the Verification Timeline for RY2012. Hard copy materials
must be mailed to the following address.
Center for Resource Solutions
1012 Torney Avenue, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94129
4
For RY2012, reductions from facilities approved under the Protocol for Renewable Energy must have occurred
within 2012, the last two quarters of 2011, or the first quarter of 2013.
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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ATTN: Green-e Climate
G.
Other Materials to be Submitted to the Center for Resource Solutions with the Annual
Verification Submission
The following reports and information should accompany the Auditor’s Agreed-Upon
Procedures Report:

Copies of the Product Content Label(s) for each Certified Product sold during RY2012;

Copy of the Project List informing the customer of the source of supply during RY2012;

Copies of offset card(s) active in RY2012 for each unique combination of organization
type and Certified Product, where applicable;

Copies of Green-e Climate Verification Worksheets 1-7, both in hardcopy and in
Microsoft Excel™ electronic format;

Registry Reports detailing the retirement and/or transfer of emissions reductions on
behalf of Green-e Climate sales;

Written explanation from the Seller for any exceptions in the Worksheets; and

A completed Green-e Climate Attestation from Program Seller for the Seller for whom
this verification audit is being conducted.

An original copy of the Auditor Attestation completed by the Auditor that has signed the
Agreed-Upon Procedures Report; and

The Agreed-Upon Procedures Report must also contain an original signature of the
Auditor performing the audit on his or her company letterhead.
H.
Use of Sampling Techniques
In certain procedures in Section III of the Protocol, the Auditor may use sampling techniques to
test the attributes of the Participant’s data. Sampling criteria have been established by CRS to
be followed in the performance of the agreed-upon procedures. Additionally, the Participant
and the Auditor will need to make certain decisions and judgments in the process of
establishing the appropriate sample size, following the guidance set forth in the AICPA AU
Section 350, Audit Sampling. CRS will allow alternative methods to determine sample size than
what is given below, provided that the resultant sample size is greater than or equal to that
which results from the method below. If the Auditor chooses not to use approved sampling
techniques or an alternative method that results in greater or equal sampling size, then 100% of
the population must be tested.
CRS has determined that an attributes sampling methodology is most appropriate given the
characteristics of the populations for which sampling is utilized in the agreed upon procedures.
Attributes sampling is used to reach a conclusion about a population in terms of the rate of
occurrence of a certain attribute. For the purposes of sampling, an attribute is defined as a
characteristic that is either present or absent in a sampling unit. Each sampling event required
in the agreed upon procedures will identify the applicable sampling unit, but in general the
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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sampling unit is each individual sale transaction, donation, or other transaction that conveys or
retires GHG emissions reductions to the benefit of another party. Each occurrence (the
presence or absence of an attribute) is given equal weight in the sample evaluation, regardless
of the size of the transaction.
If the Auditor elects to utilize sampling techniques rather than test 100% of the population,
they must first ascertain the population size. The population size is defined in terms of the
number of sampling units. If the population is greater than or equal to 2,000 transactions, the
Auditor will utilize Table A-1 in Appendix A of the AICPA Audit Guide on Audit Sampling. The
Auditor will determine the sample size based on 5% risk of overreliance, tolerable deviation
rate of 10% and expected deviation rate of 3%. If the population is less than 2,000 transactions,
then the Auditor will utilize the table below to determine the appropriate sample size.
Population
1-19
20-25
26-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
61-70
71-80
81-90
91-100
101-120
121-140
141-160
161-180
181-200
201-300
301-400
401-500
501-600
601-700
701-1000
1001-1999
Sample Size
Same as
population size
19
21
25
28
31
34
36
37
39
42
44
45
47
48
52
54
56
57
58
59
60
The table above was created by using statistical attribute sampling software using the above
guidance.
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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Once the appropriate sample size has been determined, the sample selection should be made
on a random basis with a random number generator or similar process as the preferred
approach. Other sample selection methods (e.g., systematic), are acceptable, provided the
resultant selection is ultimately random in nature (e.g., each member of the population has an
equal chance of being selected). In any event, no more than 50% of the selected transactions
may relate to any one month unless more than 50% of the population relates to the same
month (in which case this should be included in the notes section of the applicable area of the
agreed upon procedures report).
Once testing is complete, the Auditor must evaluate the results of the testing to ensure the
objectives of the test were met. If a greater number of deviations are found than were planned
for, then the test objective has not been met and there is a high risk that the deviation rate in
the population exceeds the tolerable deviation rate. If the number of deviations noted in the
initial sample selection exceeds 3%, then an additional sample must be selected. The additional
sample should equal the lesser of the initial sample size or the remaining items in the
population. Once the additional sample is tested, if the total number of deviations is less than
3% of the total expanded sample (sum of initial sample and additional sample), no further test
procedures are necessary. If after expanding the sample, the total number of deviations
exceeds 3% of the total expanded sample, please contact CRS for additional guidance.
I.
Tests of Attributes
When performing the procedures described in the Protocol, it is important that the Auditor
understand the objectives and nature of the tests to be performed. Each of the procedures
addressed in Sections III and IV is designed to test specific attributes, and the objectives of the
procedures are noted at the beginning of each testing section. Each transaction or sampling
unit may need to be tested for multiple attributes and any exception will need to be evaluated
in accordance with the guidance noted above in Use of Sampling Techniques. Auditors who do
not understand the objectives and nature of the tests to be performed should contact Green-e
Climate staff for clarification.
J.
Principal Testing to Be Performed
The principal testing to be performed by the Auditor will be reading, vouching, comparing and
recalculating information provided to the Auditor by the Participant. See Section III (and Section
IV for Sellers using the Protocol for Renewable Energy as an Endorsed Program) for specific
tests to be performed.
K.
Applying General Procedures to Specific Cases
This document provides guidance and specific examples of the procedures to be performed in
order to provide CRS with assurances as to the accuracy and completeness of the Worksheets
that are to be completed by the Seller. The nature and complexity of supply and sale
transactions differ among Sellers participating in Green-e Climate. Additionally, accounting
systems and transaction data structures of each Seller will vary along with the types of
information and reports internally available. Accordingly, the following requirements
enumerated in the following sections are not intended to be all-inclusive, but rather represent
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the minimum standards to be applied in performing tests of the documentation associated with
the information submitted to CRS by the Seller. Judgment will need to be applied in order to
execute the agreed-upon procedures engagement under each specific circumstance.
III.
SPECIFIC VERIFICATION AUDIT REQUIREMENTS
Section III (and Section IV for Sellers using the Protocol for Renewable Energy as their Endorsed
Program) directs the Auditor to perform a number of procedures for the following purposes:

Test emissions reduction retirements and/or transfers;

Verify eligibility of the emission reductions retired and/or transferred;

Test emissions reduction sales;

Verify Product Content Label(s);

Verify Project List;

Verify balance of supply and sales;

Verify sales of emissions reductions by customer type, location and sales channel; and

Verify completeness of verification submittal
The Auditor, including a Certified Internal Auditor, shall not complete the Worksheets. The
Worksheets must be completed by an employee of the Seller that is not performing the audit or
part of the Seller’s internal audit department.
General Notes on Performing the Audit and Preparing the Agreed-Upon Procedures Report
The Agreed-Upon Procedures Report must be produced by specifically responding to each
review step beginning on page 11 through Section V of this Protocol. Each review step for the
Auditor is followed by a box as shown in the example below:
Step EXAMPLE was performed:  Yes.  No.  N/A.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
Each review step is numbered in accordance with the structure of this document. The first step
for Worksheet 1 review is “III.A.1.” In the box that corresponds to each review step, the
Auditor must check one of the three checkboxes indicating whether the step was completed as
written or whether the step did not apply. Also, the Auditor must provide explanation of any
exceptions, any notes resulting from completion of the procedure, any notes on how the
Auditor’s review differed from the specified instructions, and any reasons that “N/A” was
checked because the step did not apply.
Once the Auditor has responded to each review step, the Auditor must print page 11 through
Section V of this document, with Section V.B on company letterhead, and sign Section V.B. This
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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signed printout, along with the Auditor Attestation in Appendix E, constitutes the Agreed-Upon
Procedures Report due to CRS.
Certain Worksheets will not be applicable to all Sellers. Ensure that at a minimum, all
Worksheets have been filled in with RY, Date Completed, Seller Name and Name of Person
Completing the Form. In the case that the given Worksheet is not applicable, ensure that “Not
Applicable” has been entered in the first row of the first table in the Worksheet. Note any
exceptions. If the Worksheet is not applicable, note this in the first available space in that
Worksheet’s section of the Agreed-Upon Procedures Report.
If review of documents provided by Participant and the review of this Protocol lead the Auditor
to believe that a certain Worksheet(s) is applicable to the Participant’s sales of a Green-e
Climate Certified Product despite being filled in as “Not Applicable,” note this in the first
available space in that Worksheet’s section of the Agreed-Upon Procedures Report. A
description of each Worksheet appears in Appendix B.
For Certified Products wholly or partially supplied by emission reductions from projects
approved under the Protocol for Renewable Energy, all entries in the Worksheets must be
recorded in metric tons CO2e, and not in MWh of renewable energy, unless otherwise specified.
Starting on the page 10, the review steps for the Auditor to complete and on which the Auditor
must comment begin. The introductory language before Section III.A is to be included in the
Agreed-Upon Procedures Report. The Auditor must fill in the blank spaces in this introductory
language.
If Green-e Climate Staff find that the Agreed-Upon Procedures Report is incomplete or
prepared incorrectly, the Annual Verification Submission will not be considered complete until
the Agreed-Upon Procedures Report is satisfactorily revised to reflect that the full audit was
conducted correctly in accordance with this Audit Protocol.
Auditors that do not provide a satisfactory Agreed-Upon Procedures Report will not be eligible
to be listed on the list of auditors on the Green-e website (http://www.greene.org/auditors.html), may be removed from that list if the Auditor has appeared on it in the
past, may be placed on probation, and may be barred from performing future Green-e Climate
audits, at the sole discretion of Green-e Climate staff. For Auditors placed on probation, should
the quality of the subsequent year’s Agreed-Upon Procedures Reporting not improve, the
Auditor may be deemed unacceptable to perform the Green-e Climate Annual Verification
Audit thereafter.
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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Independent Auditor’s Report on Applying Agreed-Upon Procedures
To the Board of Directors of [Participant Company for which Audit was Performed] and Center
for Resource Solutions (CRS):
[Name of Auditor Company] has performed the procedures enumerated below, which were
agreed to by [Participant Company for which Audit was Performed], solely to assist [Participant
Company for which Audit was Performed] with respect to complying with annual reporting
requirements of the Center for Resource Solutions’ Green-e Climate program for the year
ended December 31, 2012. This agreed-upon procedures engagement was performed in
accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants. The sufficiency of the procedures is solely the responsibility of the specified users
of the report.
Consequently, we make no representation regarding the sufficiency of the procedures
described below either for the purpose for which this report has been requested or for any
other purpose.
III.A. Verification of Emissions Reduction Retirements and/or Transfers
The objectives of performing these procedures are to provide assurances relating to the
following:

The emissions reductions retired and transferred by Seller were eligible emissions
reductions and accurately measured, reported and documented.
1. Obtain a completed copy of Worksheet 15 from the Seller, containing the detail of the
annual retirements and transfers of emissions reductions used to supply a Certified Product.
For every project that is identified on Worksheet 1, the Project Name, Project Type, Project
Location (country), Project Start Date (year), Vintage (year), Endorsed Program, Project
Verifier6, Supply of Emissions Reductions (Metric tons CO2e), Registry Name, Facility ID in
Registry, Registry Serial ID Number(s) (range), and Name of Wholesale Supplier (where
applicable) must be disclosed on Worksheet 1. Note any exceptions.
Step III.A.1 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
2. For each project listed on Worksheet 1, confirm that the Project Name, Project Type,
Project Location, and Endorsed Program match the information found on the Checklist.
Note if any projects on the Checklist are not included on Worksheet 1, and if any projects on
Worksheet 1 are not included on the Checklist.
5
For descriptions of the individual Worksheets, see Appendix B.
The project verifier may be left blank for projects approved under the Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable
Energy.
6
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Step III.A.2 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
3. For ownership of emissions reductions from the Climate Action Reserve (CAR), the Verified
Carbon Standard (VCS), the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), the Gold Standard
(GS), and the Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy (PRE) listed on Worksheet 1,
the Seller must have a Registry Report from an Approved Registry demonstrating the
retirement or transfer of emissions reductions for Certified Product sales. Obtain these
Registry Reports.
Step III.A.3 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
a. For each unique row on Worksheet 1, verify that the combination of Project Name7
(Column 1A) and Facility ID in Registry (Column 1J) matches the project information
in the Registry Reports. Note any exceptions.
Step III.A.3.a was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
b. For each unique row on Worksheet 1 that lists the Endorsed Program as CAR, VCS,
GS, or CDM, verify that the combination of Project Name (Column 1A), Vintage
(year) (Column 1E), Facility ID in Registry (Column 1J), Supply of Emissions
Reductions (metric tons CO2e) (Column 1H), and Registry Serial ID Number(s)
(Column 1K) reported matches and corresponds to retirements/transfers, or
aggregations thereof8, listed on the Registry Reports. Note a discrepancy in any of
the above categories as an exception. Also for these retirements/transfers, please
note if the “retirement reason” or “memo” field, and/or the “subaccount name” in
the Registry Report indicates retirement for a voluntary program other than Green-e
Climate or a compliance program, or for a RY that is not RY2012.
Step III.A.3.b was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
c. On all Registry Reports, examine the Registry Serial ID Number(s) associated with all
retirements/transfers indicated or marked as being for RY2012 Green-e Climate
Certified sales and verify that these numbers are included in the numbers or ranges
reported in Column 1K on Worksheet 1. Note any exceptions.
Step III.A.3.c was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
7
Project name will not appear on the Registry Reports of certain registries (e.g. ERCOT). Where this is the case,
look up the project name designated by the Facility ID that is listed on the Registry Report in the Registry and verify
that this matches the project name reported on Worksheet 1.
8
Individual retirements/transfers listed in Registry Reports may be aggregated in Worksheet 1 by vintage year.
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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d. Confirm the accuracy of all Registry Reports by accessing Seller’s Registry electronic
account(s) and comparing Registry Reports to actual data in the Seller’s account(s).
Follow the instructions in Section I of Appendix D and verify that the information in
the Registry matches the information on the Registry Reports. Note any exceptions.
Step III.A.3.d was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
e. The Registry used must be an Approved Registry listed on the Checklist. Note any
exceptions.
Step III.A.3.e was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
4. For each project that lists the Endorsed Program as CAR, VCS, GS, or CDM, verify that the
total unique Registry Serial ID Number(s) in Column 1K equals the total Supply of Emissions
Reductions in Column 1H (if a range is provided, end serial ID - beginning serial ID + 1 =
metric tons reported in Column 1H). Note any exceptions.
Step III.A.4 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
5. Obtain a copy of the Seller’s Product Content Label(s) for each Certified Product. Examine
the projects listed on Worksheet 1 and verify that each project contains an eligible
combination of Project Type, Project Location (country), Vintage (year), and Endorsed
Program, in Columns 1B, 1C, 1E, and 1F of Worksheet 1, respectively, according to the
Seller’s Product Content Label(s). Note any exceptions.
Step III.A.5 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
6. Examine the vintage year reported in Column 1E for each unique combination of Project
Type, Project Location (country), and Endorsed Program on Worksheet 1 and verify that the
Vintage (year) reported in Column 1E matches or falls within the Vintage (year or range of
years) reported in Column 3D of Worksheet 3 for that combination.
Step III.A.6 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
7. Examine the projects listed on Worksheet 1 and verify that they are included in the Seller’s
Project List. Note any exceptions.
Step III.A.7 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
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8. For hydropower facilities listed on Worksheet 19 where the Project Location (country) in
Column 1C is listed as the United States or Canada, verify that at least one of the following
is true for each hydropower facility listed:
a. The facility is listed on the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) website, at:
http://www.lowimpacthydro.org/certified-facilities/; also in this case, check that the
date of LIHI certification is on or before the first generation date of any emissions
reduction being claimed from a LIHI Certified facility; note any exceptions;
b. For Canadian hydropower facilities only, the facility is listed as EcoLogoTM Certified
at: http://www.ecologo.org/en/participatingcompanies/10; also in this case, check
that the date of EcoLogo certification is on or before the first generation date of any
emissions reduction being claimed from a EcoLogo Certified facility; and/or
c. The hydropower facility consists of a turbine in a pipeline or a turbine in an irrigation
canal.
Explain how these were confirmed11 and note any exceptions.
Step III.A.8 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
9. For hydropower facilities listed on Worksheet 1 where the Project Location (country) in
Column 1C is listed as a country other than the United States or Canada, verify that the
nameplate capacity of the hydropower facility is less than 10MW, or if it is a “grouped
project” (consisting of more than one instance of the project activity at multiple locations
within a defined geographic boundary), which is certified as a group or program of
activities, verify that no single instance of the project within the group exceeds 10MW
nameplate capacity.12 Note any exceptions.
Step III.A.9 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
9
Where neither the Project Type or Project Name reported on Worksheet 1 indicate whether or not the project is
a hydropower project (e.g. Project Type is reported as “Renewable Energy” and the Project Name does not contain
words indicating the technology type, such as the word wind, solar, hydro, etc.), check the Registry Reports or
elsewhere in the Registry to confirm.
10
If the EcoLogo website does not list the supplying facility, request documentation from the Seller that shows that
the facility is EcoLogo Certified.
11 Confirming (c) may require accessing Project Description documentation for the project, which for VCS, GS, and
CDM projects is available through the Registries and through public reports or project registries available on their
respective websites. For PRE projects, confirming (c) may require accessing documentation describing the project,
which can be obtained from the Seller, through public reports of the tracking systems, and/or from the Facility
Assessment Documents prepared by CRS (please contact Green-e Climate staff for these Facility Assessment
Documents).
12 Confirming this may require accessing Project Description documentation for the project, which for VCS, GS, and
CDM projects is available through the Registries and through public reports or project registries available on their
respective websites.
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10. Examine any projects where the Endorsed Program in Column 1F is listed as CAR and the
Project Type in Column 1B is listed as Forestry, and verify that the project was
certified/validated under version 3.0 or later of the CAR Forest Protocol.13 Note any
exceptions.
Step III.A.10 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
11. Examine any projects where the Endorsed Program in Column 1F is listed as VCS.
a. Confirm that the project was validated according to version VCS 2007 or VCS 3.0.14
Note any exceptions.
Step III.A.11.a was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
b. If the project was validated according to version VCS 2007 and used VCS “Test 2 –
Performance Test” to demonstrate additionality (see the Project Design Document
for the project, available on the VCS website15), confirm that the performance
standard used explicitly lists eligible technologies. Note any exceptions.
Step III.A.11.b was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
c. Where the Project Type in Column 1B is NOT listed as Agriculture, Forestry and/or
Land Use, confirm that the period of time for which GHG reductions/removals are
verified (verification period) does not exceed three years.16
Step III.A.11.c was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
d. Where the Project Type in Column 1B is listed as Agriculture, Forestry, and/or Land
Use project, confirm that the period of time for which GHG reductions/removals are
verified (verification period) does exceed seven years.17
13
Verifying this may require accessing documentation for the project, which can be obtained through the CAR
Registry or using the Project Documentation link here:
https://thereserve1.apx.com/myModule/rpt/myrpt.asp?r=111. Go to “Projects” under public reports.
14
Confirming this may require accessing documentation for the project, which can be obtained through the VCS
Registry or through the VCS Project Database located here:
https://vcsprojectdatabase2.apx.com/myModule/Interactive.asp?Tab=Projects&a=1. Auditors should review the
validation (not verification) report and Project Design Document (PDD). If still unsure, Auditors should contact VCS
at 202-296-2312.
15
The PDD can be obtained through the VCS Registry or through the VCS Project Database located here:
https://vcsprojectdatabase2.apx.com/myModule/Interactive.asp?Tab=Projects&a=1.
16
Confirming this may require accessing documentation for the project, which can be obtained through the VCS
Registry or through the VCS Project Database located here:
https://vcsprojectdatabase2.apx.com/myModule/Interactive.asp?Tab=Projects&a=1. Auditors should review the
verification (not validation) report. If still unsure, Auditors should contact VCS at 202-296-2312.
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Step III.A.11.d was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
e. Where the Project Type in Column 1B is listed as Agriculture, Forestry, and/or Land
Use, verify receipt of proof from Seller that the project meets the native species
requirement under the Green-e Climate Standard v.2.0 (Section 6.4.d, pg. 10). Note
any exceptions.
Step III.A.11.e was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
f. Where the Project Type in Column 1B is listed as Agriculture, Forestry, and/or Land
Use, and where the project start date is before 2002, verify that the project was
validated with 5 years of the start date.18
Step III.A.11.f was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
12. For rows in Worksheet 1 listing the Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy (or PRE)
as the Endorsed Program in Column 1F:
a. Verify that Sellers have reported the Supply of Emissions Reductions (Column 1H) in
metric tons of CO2e, not megawatt-hours (MWhs) of renewable energy, or any other
unit (e.g. pounds) of CO2e. Note any exceptions.
Step III.A.12.a was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
b. Verify that the sum of Supply of Emissions Reductions (metric tons CO2e) Column 1H
matches the total Metric tons CO2e in the last row of Column 7I on Worksheet 7.
Note any exceptions.
Step III.A.12.b was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
13. For any project listed on Worksheet 1 that lists Green-e Climate or the Protocol for
Renewable Energy (or PRE) as the Endorsed Program, verify that project information
matches all project details reported on Worksheet 7, including Project Name, Project Start
17
Ibid.
Confirming this may require accessing documentation for the project, which can be obtained through the VCS
Registry or through the VCS Project Database located here:
https://vcsprojectdatabase2.apx.com/myModule/Interactive.asp?Tab=Projects&a=1. If still unsure, Auditors
should contact VCS at 202-296-2312.
18
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Date (year), Vintage/Year of Generation, Facility ID in Registry, Registry Serial ID Number(s),
and Metric tons CO2e.19 Note any exceptions.
Step III.A.13 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
14. Test the mathematical accuracy of Worksheet 1. Agree total Supply of Emissions Reductions
in Column 1H of Table 1 to the total listed in the last row of Column 1H. Note any
exceptions.
Step III.A.14 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
B.
Verification of Sales
The objectives of performing these procedures are to provide assurances relating to the
following:

The emissions reductions sold were accurately measured and reported.
1. Obtain a completed copy of Worksheet 2. Reference the Seller’s Checklist for a list of the
products that must be included in Worksheet 2. Note if any products on the Checklist are
not included on Worksheet 2, or if any products on Worksheet 2 are not included on the
Checklist.
Step III.B.1 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
2. Obtain copies of Internal Reporting Documents that Indicate Sales (“internal reporting
documents”) from the Seller that were used to complete Worksheet 2. They should contain
the details of sales or scheduled deliveries under multi-year purchase agreements per
customer for each Certified Product sold, the type of Certified Product sold (Customized
Mix or Fixed Mix), the sales channel utilized (online sales, offline sales, multi-year purchase
agreement, or Third-party Distributor), and differentiate between individual, commercial,
and wholesale customers (see Appendix B for a list of documents that Sellers should supply
to their Auditor). From the Internal Reporting Documents:
a. Recalculate the Total Sales (metric tons CO2e) per Certified Product and agree this to
sales recorded in Column 2K. Note any exceptions.
Step III.B.2.a was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
b. Recalculate the sales and scheduled deliveries to individual customers per Certified
Product and agree this to the sum of Columns 2B, 2D and 2G. Note any exceptions.
19
Be aware that Worksheet 7 is further disaggregated into vintage quarter (whereas Worksheet 1 is disaggregated
only into vintage year), so project information reported in a single row in Worksheet 1 may be reported in multiple
rows in Worksheet 7.
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Step III.B.2.b was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
c. Recalculate the sales and scheduled deliveries to commercial customers per
Certified Product and agree this to the sum of Columns 2C, 2E and 2H. Note any
exceptions.
Step III.B.2.c was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
d. Recalculate the sales and scheduled deliveries to wholesale customers per Certified
Product and agree this to the sum of Columns 2F and 2I.20 Note any exceptions.
Step III.B.2.d was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
e. Recalculate the sales by Third-party Distributors per Certified Product and agree this
to sales recorded in Column 2J.21 Note any exceptions.
Step III.B.2.e was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
f. Recalculate the scheduled RY2012 deliveries under multi-year purchase agreements
per Certified Product and agree this to the sum of Columns 2G, 2H, and 2I.22 Note
any exceptions.
Step III.B.2.f was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
3. Using the Sampling Guidelines in Section II.H, select a sample of customer sales transactions
detailed in the Internal Reporting Documents for customers that purchased fewer than
25,000 metric tons CO2e of emissions reductions from Seller.23,24 Report the total
population size and the sample size chosen.
Step III.B.3 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Total population:
Sample size:
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
20
Sales to wholesale customers should not be included in sales to individuals or commercial customers in Columns
2B through 2E. Rather, wholesale sales should be recorded separately in Columns 2F and 2I.
21
Third-party Distributor sales should not be included in sales to individuals or commercial customers in Columns
2B through 2E. Rather, Third-party Distributor sales should be recorded separately in Column 2J.
22
Sales recorded in Columns 2B through 2F should not include scheduled RY2012 deliveries under multi-year
purchase agreements. Rather, scheduled RY2012 deliveries under multi-year purchase agreements with individual,
commercial, and wholesales customers should be recorded separately in Columns 2G, 2H, and 2I, respectively.
23
Transactions made through Third-party Distributors should be included as a part of the population being
sampled. Auditor should be granted access to all Third-party Distributor Billing Statements. See Step III.F.2.
24
Sales of 25,000 metric tons CO2e or more to an individual customer will be checked as part of Worksheet 3.
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4. For each transaction selected in III.B.3:
a. Obtain copies of Billing Statements and/or any other necessary records that contain
the details of the emissions reductions sales by Certified Product by customer, if
different from Internal Reporting Documents. Also, sales made in RY2012 could
include amounts of Certified Product to be delivered in RY2012 under multi-year
agreements that were entered into in previous RYs. Specify what type of records are
used.
Step III.B.4.a was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
b. Using Billing Statements, confirm that the emissions reductions sold per customer
that is reported on the Internal Reporting Documents is accurate in terms of the
amount of emissions reductions and type of Certified Product sold. Note any
exceptions.
Step III.B.4.b was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
c. For Sellers using the Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy, note if the
Billing Statements or contract language indicates that actual sales were made in
units other than CO2e (metric tons or pounds) (for example, note if sales were made
in MWh), and in this case note the unit used.
Step III.B.4.c was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
d. Verify that the sale of each Certified Product in RY2012 occurred within the range of
“Dates when Active in 2012” reported on the Checklist. Note any exceptions.
Step III.B.4.d was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
e. Note if review of RY2012 Billing Statements reveals evidence or indication that
Certified Sales were made (Billing Statements exist for sales) which were not
reported on Internal Reporting Documents.
Step III.B.4.e was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
5. Using the Sampling Guidelines in Section II.H, select a sample of transactions detailed in the
Internal Reporting Documents for customers scheduled to receive deliveries in RY2012 in
accordance with multi-year purchase agreements. Report the total population size and the
sample size chosen.
Step III.B.5 was performed:
Total population:
Sample size:
Yes.
No.
N/A.
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Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
a. For each transaction selected in III.B.5, verify that customer was informed of
quantity to be delivered each year, either within the agreement (schedule of
delivery) or historically by the time of this audit. Note any exceptions.
Step III.B.5.a was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
b. For each transaction selected in III.B.5, verify that a 2012 Product Content Label was
delivered to the customer by the time of this audit, OR that a Green-e Climate
Product Content Label is provided and maintained on Seller’s website. Note any
exceptions.
Step III.B.5.b was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
6. Using the Sampling Guidelines in Section II.H, select a sample of customer sales transactions
detailed in the Internal Company Documents for customers that purchased Customized Mix
Products from Seller. Report the total population size and the sample size chosen.
Step III.B.6 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Total population:
Sample size:
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
a. For each transaction selected in III.B.6, compare the information reported on the
Internal Reporting Documents to a copy of the Product Content Label that the
customer received and verify that the customer received the emissions reductions
from the correct type of project, project location (by country) and Endorsed
Program. Note any exceptions.
Step III.B.6.a was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
b. For each transaction selected in III.B.6, verify that the customer was provided with a
Product Content Label reflecting the customer’s unique selected proportions of
different GHG emissions reductions from project type(s), location(s), and Endorsed
Program(s), within 30 days of purchase (i.e. a Product Content Label on which the
proportions of each are not listed as “up to 100%”). Note any exceptions.
Step III.B.6.b was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
7. Test that Total Third-party Distributor Sales (metric tons CO2e) in Column 2J matches the
sum of Columns 6G and 6N on Worksheet 6 for each Certified Product.
Step III.B.7 was performed:
Yes.
No.
N/A.
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Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
8. Test the mathematical accuracy of Table 2:
a. Agree that the sum of Columns 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 2I, and 2J equals Column
2K for each row. Note any exceptions.
Step III.B.8.a was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
b. Agree that the sum of rows in Columns 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 2I, and 2J,
respectively, equals the total listed in the last row of each Column. Note any
exceptions.
Step III.B.8.b was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
C.
Verification of Product Content Label(s)
Verification of all products’ disclosure claims is required. The objectives of performing these
procedures are to provide assurances relating to the following:

The quantity and characteristics of the emissions reductions sold are accurately
calculated and reported.
1. Obtain from Seller a completed copy of Worksheet 3. Reference the Seller’s Checklist and
Product Content Label(s) to identify the Certified Products that must be included in
Worksheet 3. The name of each Certified Product must be input in the cells below “Certified
Product 1” in Columns 3F and 3G, below “Certified Product 2” in Columns 3H and 3I, etc. as
needed. All Certified sales for RY2012, including those to the large retail customers also
listed in Table 3.2, must be included in Table 3.1. Sales made through Third-party
Distributors should be included in Table 3.1 as well.
a. Note if any Certified Products included on the Checklist are not included on
Worksheet 3, or if any Certified Products included on Worksheet 3 are not included
on the Checklist.
Step III.C.1.a was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
b. For each Certified Product, verify that the information listed in Worksheet 3 matches
the information provided on the Checklist, including the Project Type(s), Project
Location(s) (country), and Endorsed Program(s) included, and whether the product is
a Fixed or Customized Mix Product. Note any exceptions.
Step III.C.1.b was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
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c. For each Certified Product, verify that the information listed in Worksheet 3 matches
the information provided on the Product Content Label for that product, including
the Project Type(s), Project Location(s) (country), and Endorsed Program(s)
included.25 Note any exceptions.
Step III.C.1.c was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
2. For each Certified Product, obtain from the Seller a copy of the RY2012 Product Content
Label. If the project type, project location, or Endorsed Program of a given Certified Product
changed during RY2012, the Certified Product should be treated as a new product and
should be recorded on a new pair of columns (e.g. 3F and 3G, 3H and 3I, etc. if needed) for
reporting purposes. For each Fixed Mix Product being tested (denoted by a check mark next
to “Fixed” in columns 3F, 3H, etc.), agree the percentages in the column labeled “% of
Product” (Column 3G, 3I, 3K, etc. if needed) on Worksheet 3 with the “% of product” claims
displayed on the Product Content Labels and on the Checklist. Note as an exception any
differences that are greater than 20% of the percent promised on the Product Content
Label and listed in the Checklist. For example, if the Product Content Label promised 30% of
a specific combination of project type, location and Endorsed Program, the actual percent
on Worksheet 3 must fall between 24% and 36% (30% +/- (.2*30%), or 30% +/- 6%). If the
difference is greater than 20%, please attach to the Agreed-Upon Procedures Report the
Seller’s explanation for this difference.
Step III.C.2 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
3. Examine the Vintage (year or range of years) listed in Column 3D on Worksheet 3 and verify
that they fall within the vintage years displayed on the Product Content Label for each
applicable Certified Product. Note any exceptions.
Step III.C.3 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
4. Test the mathematical accuracy of Table 3.1. Agree the sum of Sales for Products (Columns
3F, 3H, 3J, 3L, 3N, etc.) equals Total Sales in Column 3E for each row. Note any exceptions.
Step III.C.4 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
5. Agree the total Sales for Product (metric tons CO2e) in the last row of Columns 3F, 3H, 3J,
3L, 3N, etc.26 with the totals listed for each Certified Product in Column 2K of Worksheet 2.
Note any exceptions.
Step III.C.5 was performed:
Yes.
No.
N/A.
25
The project type and project location reported on Worksheet 3 must be as specific as what is specified on the
Product Content Label.
26
Sales made through Third-party Distributors should be included in these columns.
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Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
6. Using Internal Reporting Documents (obtained in III.B), and Billing Statements if necessary,
confirm that all customers listed on these documents that purchased 25,000 metric tons
CO2e or more in total are listed in Table 3.2 of Worksheet 3. Note any exceptions.
Step III.C.6 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
7. For each customer listed in Table 3.2 in Worksheet 3, compare the Metric tons CO2e
purchased in RY2012 reported in Column 3R to copies of Billing Statements and/or any
other necessary records that contain the details of the emissions reductions sales by
Certified Product by customer (specify in the report what, if any, other record was used).
Verify that the Certified Product name and Metric tons CO2e reported in Table 3.2
accurately matches the Billing Statements for sales to this customer in RY2012. Note any
exceptions. Also, note if Billing Statements reveal that sales were made in units other than
CO2e, and in this case note the unit used.
Step III.C.7 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
D.
Balance of Supply and Sales
The objectives of performing these procedures are to provide assurances relating to the
following:

The Seller retired or transferred correct tons CO2e to meet its customer sales.
1. Obtain a completed copy of Worksheet 4 from the Seller, containing the detail of the
balance of supply and sales of emissions reductions sold as Green-e Climate certified.
Referencing Worksheet 1, verify that each unique combination of Project Type (Column 1B),
Project Location (Column 1C), and Endorsed Program (Column 1F) appears on Worksheet 4
in Columns 4A, 4B, and 4C, respectively. Note any exceptions.
Step III.D.1 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
2. For each unique combination of Project Type, Project Location and Endorsed Program on
Worksheet 1, sum the Supply of Emission Reductions (metric tons CO2e) in Column 1H and
verify that this matches the Supply listed in Column 4D of Worksheet 4 for each unique
combination. Note any exceptions.
Step III.D.2 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
3. Referencing Worksheet 3, for each unique combination of Project Type (Column 3A),
Project Location (Column 3B), and Endorsed Program (Column 3C), verify that the Total
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Sales in each row of Column 3E matches the Sales listed in Column 4E of Worksheet 4. Note
any exceptions.
Step III.D.3 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
4. Test the mathematical accuracy of Column 4F, Net: Supply minus Sales, by subtracting Sales
in Column 4E from Supply in Column 4D for each row. Note any exceptions.
Step III.D.4 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
5. Report as an exception if the “Net: Supply minus Sales” is a negative number in any row on
Worksheet 4. For each instance, attach to the Agreed-Upon Procedures Report the Seller’s
explanation for this exception.
Step III.D.5 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
E.
Sales by Customer Location and Type
The objectives of performing these procedures are to provide assurances relating to the
following:

The emissions reductions sold by customer type and location were accurately measured
and reported.
1. Obtain a completed copy of Worksheet 5 and copies of Internal Reporting Documents from
the Seller that were used to complete Worksheet 5. They should contain the details of sales
per customer for all Certified Products sold, the sales channel utilized (including sales made
through Third-party Distributors), and differentiate between individual, commercial, and
wholesale customers, as well as the location of the customer by state.27 From the Internal
Reporting Documents, recalculate the amount of emissions reductions sold by customer
type (individual, commercial and wholesale) and Third-party Distributor sales by location
and agree this to the sales reported in Worksheet 5. Sales recorded in Columns 5B through
5E should include both online and offline sales, as well as multi-year purchase agreement
deliveries. Note any exceptions. The number of customers reported on Table 5 (Columns 5F
through 5I) does not have to be tested.
Step III.E.1 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
2. Test the mathematical accuracy of Worksheet 5. Agree that the sum of rows in Columns 5B,
5C, 5D, and 5E, respectively, equals the total listed in the last row of each Column. Note any
exceptions.
27
Sales to wholesale customers should not be included in sales to individuals or commercial customers in Columns
5B and 5C.
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Step III.E.2 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
3. Verify that the total Sales to Individuals in the last row of Column 5B of Worksheet 5 equals
the sum of the totals in the last row of Columns 2B, 2D, and 2G of Worksheet 2. Note any
exceptions.
Step III.E.3 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
4. Verify that the total Sales to Commercial Customers in the last row of Column 5C of
Worksheet 5 equals the sum of the totals in the last row of Columns 2C, 2E, and 2H of
Worksheet 2. Note any exceptions.
Step III.E.4 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
5. Verify that the total Third-party Distributor Sales in the last row of Column 5D of Worksheet
5 equals the total Third-party Distributor Sales in the last row of Column 2J of Worksheet 2.
Note any exceptions.
Step III.E.5 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
6. Verify that the total Wholesale Sales in the last row of Column 5E of Worksheet 5 equals the
sum of the totals in the last row of Columns 2F and 2I of Worksheet 2. Note any exceptions.
Step III.E.6 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
F.
Sales of Green-e Climate Certified Products by Third-party Distributors
Worksheet 6 applies only to Sellers selling Certified Products through one or more Third-party
Distributors. The objectives of performing these procedures are to provide assurances relating
to the following:

The emissions reductions sold by Third-party Distributors were accurately measured and
reported.
1. Obtain a completed copy of Worksheet 6 from Seller. Reference the Checklist to identify the
Third-party Distributors and Organization Types selling Offset Cards that must be included
in Worksheet 6.
a. The name of each Third-party Distributor must be input in the first cell in Columns
6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, etc. as needed in Table 6.1. Note if any Third-party Distributors
included in Table 6.1 are not included on the Checklist, or if any Third-party
Distributors included on the Checklist are not included in Table 6.1.
Step III.F.1.a was performed:
Yes.
No.
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Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
b. Confirm that all Certified Products listed in Column 6A of Table 6.1 are fixed-mix
products by referencing the Seller Checklist. Note any exceptions
Step III.F.1.b was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
c. The name of each Organization Type selling Offset Cards on behalf of Seller must be
input in the first cell in Columns 6I, 6J, 6K, 6L, 6M, etc. as needed in Table 6.2. Note if
any Organization Types included in Table 6.2 are not included on the Checklist, or if
any Organization Types included on the Checklist are not included in Table 6.2.
Step III.F.1.c was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
2. Obtain copies of Third-party Distributors’ Internal Reporting Documents that were used by
Seller to complete Worksheet 6. For traditional Third-party sales (reported in Table 6.1),
these documents should contain the details of Third-party sales of Certified Product(s) per
customer. For Third-party sales of offset cards (reported in Table 6.2), these documents
should contain the number of cards (and equivalent number of tons CO2e) sold by each
individual Third-party Distributor within each Organization Type by Certified Product.
Auditor should have access to all Internal Reporting Documents and Billing Statements of
the Third-party Distributor for sales of Certified Product(s) and Offset Cards. Note if access
to Third-party Distributor records was not granted.
Step III.F.2 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
3. For traditional Third-party Distributors (not distributors of Offset Cards), if the Distributor
reported no sales for RY2012, it must provide a letter on company letterhead with a wet
signature from the manager of emissions reduction sales attesting that in RY2012 they:
a. Made no Green-e Climate Certified sales,
b. Did not represent any sales as Green-e Climate Certified, and
c. Did not authorize any of their sales to be represented as Green-e Climate Certified.
Verify that for all traditional Third-party Distributors with zero sales a letter was received
attesting to these statements.
Step III.F.3 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
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4. Using the Internal Reporting Documents, recalculate the amount of emissions reductions
sold by each Third-party Distributor for each Certified Product and agree this to the sales
reported in Table 6.1. Note any exceptions.
Step III.F.4 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
5. Verify that RY2012 sales by each Third-party Distributor occurred within the range of “Dates
when Active in 2012” for Third-party Distributors reported on the Checklist. Note any
exceptions.
Step III.F.5 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
6. Using the Internal Reporting Documents, recalculate the amount of emissions reductions
sold as Offset Cards by Third-party Distributors for each Certified Product and agree this to
the sales reported in Table 6.2. Note any exceptions.
Step III.F.6 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
7. Verify that RY2012 sales of Offset Cards by each Third-party Distributor occurred within the
range of “Dates when Active in 2012” for Distributors of Offset Cards reported on the
Checklist. Note any exceptions.
Step III.F.7 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
8. Test the mathematical accuracy of all products on Worksheet 6:
a. Agree total Sales by each Third-party Distributor (in Column 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, etc.
as needed) of Table 6.1 to the total listed in the last row of each column. Note any
exceptions.
Step III.F.8.a was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
b. Verify that Total Sales (metric tons CO2e) in Column 6G equals the sum of all Sales of
Certified Products by Third-party Distributors (Columns 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, etc. as
needed) for each row in Table 6.1. Note any exceptions.
Step III.F.8.b was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
c. Agree total Sales by each Organization Type selling Offset Cards (in Column 6I, 6J, 6K,
6L, 6M, etc. as needed) in Table 6.2 to the total listed in the last row of each column.
Note any exceptions.
Step III.F.8.c was performed:
Yes.
No.
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Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
d. Verify that Total Sales (metric tons CO2e) of Offset Cards in Column 6N equals the
sum of all Sales of Certified Products by Third-party Distributors (Columns 6I, 6J, 6K,
6L, 6M, etc. as needed) for each row in Table 6.2. Note any exceptions.
Step III.F.8.d was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
IV.
N/A.
GREEN-E CLIMATE PROTOCOL FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY: AUDITING
PROCEDURES
The Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy defines the eligibility criteria of U.S. gridconnected renewable energy facilities to generate eligible emissions reductions. In order to
demonstrate the retirement/transfer, ownership, and quantity of emissions reductions from
facilities under the Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy, additional auditing
procedures are required. This section only applies to Sellers supplying their Certified Products
with renewable energy from facilities approved by the Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable
Energy.
Additional rules also apply to the vintage of emissions reductions from facilities under the
Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy sold in each RY. Emissions reductions from the
Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy may only be based on electricity generation
that took place in the calendar year in which the Certified Product is sold, the first three months
of the following calendar year, or the last six months of the prior calendar year. For example,
for RY2012 sales, emissions reductions must have been created (i.e. electricity generation
occurred) between July 1, 2011 and March 31, 2013 in order to be eligible.
Additionally, emissions reductions from the Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy
may only be based on electricity generation occurring after the project was approved by CRS as
eligible to be used as supply for a Certified Product.
A.
Verification of Eligibility and Ownership of Supply
The objectives of performing these procedures are to provide assurances relating to the
following:

The emissions reductions are based on electricity generation from facilities that have
been approved by the Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy as eligible;

The quantity of retired MWhs from renewable energy facilities was reported accurately;

The baseline emission rate (BER) and calculated emissions reductions (in metric tons
CO2e) were reported accurately;

The emissions reductions were created after the project became eligible to supply
Certified Products and within the 21-month window of eligibility; and
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
The renewable, greenhouse gas and all other environmental attributes resulting from
the electricity generation are owned by the Seller and retired on behalf of their Green-e
Climate Certified sales through use of an Approved Registry.
1. Obtain a completed copy of Worksheet 7 from the Seller, containing the details of the
specific renewable energy generation on which the emissions reductions are based. For
every project that is identified on Worksheet 7, the Project Name, Resource Type, NERC
Region, Project Start Date (year), Vintage/Quarter of Generation (1,2,3,4), Vintage/Year of
Generation, Supply of Renewable Energy (MWhs), Baseline Emission Rate, Metric tons
CO2e, Registry Name, Facility ID in Registry, Registry Serial ID Number(s) (range), and
Utility/Electricity Purchaser (the name of the utility or load-serving entity that purchased
the electricity associated with the renewable energy certificates [RECs] or was involved in
the transaction) must be disclosed on Worksheet 7. Note any exceptions.
Step IV.A.1 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
2. For every project that is identified on Worksheet 7, verify that the facility is listed as eligible
on the Seller’s Checklist and by the Green-e Climate program. A list of eligible facilities can
be found at http://www.green-e.org/getcert_ghg_re_protocol.shtml or obtained by
contacting Green-e Climate staff. Note any exceptions.
Step IV.A.2 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
3. Verify that the vintage (Column 7E and 7F) of the electricity generation that the emissions
reductions are based upon falls within the 21-month eligibility window. For RY2012 sales,
emissions reductions must have been created between July 1, 2011 and March 31, 2013 in
order to be eligible. Note any exceptions.
Step IV.A.3 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
4. Verify that the vintage (Column 7E and 7F) of the electricity generation that the emissions
reductions are based upon falls on or after the “Date Eligible to Supply Certified Products”
reported on the Checklist for each project.28 Note any exceptions.
Step IV.A.4 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
5. For each row on Worksheet 7, verify that the combination of Facility ID in Registry (Column
7K), Vintage (quarter) (Column 7E), Vintage (year) (Column 7F), Supply of Renewable Energy
(MWhs) (Column 7G), and Registry Serial ID Number(s) (Column 7L) reported matches and
28
Projects approved under the Protocol for Renewable Energy prior to July 1, 2011 will not have an eligibility date
since all generation falling within the 21-month vintage eligibility window will have occurred after the project was
approved. These projects are denoted by NA on the Checklist.
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corresponds to retirements, or aggregations thereof29, listed on the Registry Reports. Note
a discrepancy in any of the above categories as an exception. Also for these
retirements/transfers, please note if the “retirement reason” or “memo” field, and/or the
“subaccount name” in the Registry Report indicates retirement for another voluntary
program (e.g. Green-e Energy) or a compliance program, or for a RY that is not RY2012.
Step IV.A.5 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
6. Verify that the total unique Registry Serial ID Number(s) in Column 7L equals the total
MWhs in Column 7G for each project (if a range is provided, end serial ID - beginning serial
ID + 1 = MWh in Column 7G). Also verify that the supply of renewable energy (in MWhs)
reported in Column 7G has been reported in whole numbers. Note any exceptions.
Step IV.A.6 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
7. For every project that is identified on Worksheet 7, verify that the correct BER is listed in
Column 7H. The Green-e Climate Protocol on Renewable Energy determines the
appropriate BER to use based on the location (by NERC region) and resource type of each
facility (i.e. solar, wind etc.). The full set of BERs is included in Appendix C of this Audit
Protocol. Note any exceptions.
Step IV.A.7 was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
8. Test the mathematical accuracy of Worksheet 7:
a. Agree Metric tons CO2e in Column 7I equals the product of Columns 7G and 7H
divided by 2204.6226 for each row of Table 7. Note any exceptions.
Step IV.A.8.a was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
b. Agree total Supply of Renewable Energy (MWhs) listed in Column 7G to the total
listed in the last row of Column 7G. Note any exceptions.
Step IV.A.8.b was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
N/A.
c. Agree total Metric tons CO2e listed in Column 7I to the total listed in the last row of
Column 7I. Note any exceptions.
Step IV.A.8.c was performed:
Yes.
No.
Exceptions, Notes, Reason for “No” or “N/A”:
29
N/A.
Individual retirements/transfers listed in Registry Reports may be aggregated in Worksheet 7 by vintage quarter.
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V.
FINAL STEPS AND CHECKS
A.
Additional Auditor Comments
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B.
Signature and Report Completion
We were not engaged to and did not perform an examination the objective of which would be
the expression of an opinion on the compliance of the annual reporting requirements of the
Center for Resource Solutions’ Green-e Climate Program. Accordingly, we do not express such
an opinion. Had we performed additional procedures, other matters might have come to our
attention that would have been reported to [Participant Company for which Audit was
Performed] and Center for Resource Solutions.
This report is intended solely for the use of the specified users listed above and should not be
used by those who have not agreed to the procedures and taken responsibility for the
sufficiency of the procedures for their purposes.
Date: [Date of Report Completion]
Name: [Name of Lead Auditor]
Signed: _____________________________
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VI.
AUDITOR’S QUALIFICATIONS
The Auditor shall be a member in good standing with the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants or a member in good standing and certified as an internal auditor with the
Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). For more information see Section II.B.
VII.
HOW TO GET HELP
Should assistance be required, Center for Resource Solutions staff are available to answer
questions. Questions relating to the verification may be directed to: Todd Jones at 415-5612100 or climate@green-e.org. Electronic copies of this document, along with attestations and
Worksheets, are available on the Green-e Climate Web page at http://www.greene.org/climateverification.
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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APPENDIX A:
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Agreed-Upon Procedures Report: The report supplied to CRS prepared by the Auditor detailing the
results of the annual verification audit by performing the procedures stipulated in the Green-e
Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol.
Approved Registry: An emissions reduction or renewable energy registry deemed eligible by Greene Climate as an acceptable software database to document ownership and the retirement of
emissions reductions for purposes of Green-e Climate verification. A list of approved registries is
included in the Checklist for each Seller.
Auditor: An independent public accountant or certified internal auditor that performs the Green-e
Climate Verification Audit and reports on agreed-upon procedures. See Section II.B and V of the
Audit Protocol for auditor qualifications.
Auditor Attestation: A short attestation to be completed by the Auditor signing the Agreed-Upon
Procedures Report, which states that the Auditor has followed certain practices when reviewing
Participant’s verification materials and preparing the Agreed-Upon Procedures Report. It is
available as Appendix E of the Audit Protocol.
Baseline Emission Rate (BER): An estimate of GHG emissions, removals, or storage from a GHG
emissions reduction project associated with a baseline scenario.
Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e): The universal unit of measurement used to indicate the global
warming potential of GHGs and to trade ownership of GHG emissions reductions. Used to evaluate
and compare the impacts of releasing (or avoiding the release of) different GHGs.
Certified Product: Under Green-e Climate, a product is defined by its resource mix (e.g. 60%
forestry, 38% renewable energy, 2% manure management), generation location for its resources,
and Endorsed Program certification. A Certified Product is a mix of GHG emissions reductions that
are supported by eligible Endorsed Program protocols, sold by a Seller who has a contract with the
Center for Resource Solutions, and follow the requirements of the Green-e Climate Code of
Conduct.
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): The Clean Development Mechanism is a mechanism under
the Kyoto Protocol through which developed countries may finance GHG emissions reduction or
removal projects in developing countries, and receive credits for doing so which they may apply
towards meeting mandatory limits on their own emissions. CDM credits not used in the compliance
market can be sold in voluntary markets. The CDM is supervised by the CDM Executive Board and is
under the guidance of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The CDM is an Endorsed Program under Green-e Climate.
Climate Action Reserve (CAR): The Climate Action Reserve is a national offsets program working
to ensure integrity, transparency and financial value in the U.S. carbon market. It does this by
establishing regulatory-quality standards for the development, quantification and verification of
greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects in North America; issuing carbon offset credits
known as Climate Reserve Tonnes (CRT) generated from such projects; and tracking the
transaction of credits over time in a transparent, publicly-accessible system. CAR is an Endorsed
Program under Green-e Climate.
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Customer: For the purposes of this Audit Protocol, the customer is identified as the party who has
purchased a Certified Product from the Seller.
Customized Mix Product: A Certified Product in which a customer can choose a unique
combination of different emissions reductions from project type(s), location(s) and Endorsed
Program(s).
EcoLogo: Founded in 1988, EcoLogo a multi-attribute criteria certification program for North
America based in Canada and managed by TerraChoice, an environmental consultancy.
Eligible Emissions Reductions: Emissions reductions that are certified by an Endorsed Program, and
therefore an eligible source of supply in a Certified Product. This includes emissions reductions
derived from offset projects according to certain protocols of the Climate Action Reserve, the Clean
Development Mechanism, the Gold Standard, the Verified Carbon Standard, and the Green-e
Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy.
Endorsed Program: A greenhouse gas project certification program identified by Green-e Climate
Stakeholders and the Green-e Governance Board as meeting the requirements set forth by the
Green-e Climate Standard. Certain project protocols of Endorsed Programs are eligible sources of
supply for Certified Products. The Endorsed Programs include the Clean Development Mechanism,
the Climate Action Reserve, the Gold Standard, the Verified Carbon Standard, and the Green-e
Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy.
Fixed Mix Product: A Certified Product with the same combination and proportion of emissions
reductions from project type(s), location(s) and Endorsed Program(s) sold to all customers.
Gold Standard (GS): The Gold Standard Foundation is a project certification program for CDM and
voluntary offset projects. Renewable energy and energy efficiency projects with sustainable
development benefits are eligible. The Gold Standard is a non-profit foundation under Swiss law
and funded by public and private donors. The Gold Standard is an Endorsed Program under Greene Climate.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG): Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and are emitted through natural
processes and human activities. Green-e Climate addresses GHG emissions reductions that originate
from the six principal greenhouse gases included in the Kyoto Protocol, namely carbon dioxide,
nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride (CO 2, N2O,
CH4, HFCs, PFCs and SF6).
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions (emissions reductions): Reductions, removals or the
permanent storage of greenhouse gases produced by projects or project activities that have been
validated, verified and certified according to the program requirements of an Endorsed Program.
GHG emissions reductions must originate from projects or parts of projects that meet the principles
and criteria contained in the Green-e Climate Standard. They must meet the requirement of being
real, verifiable, permanent and enforceable. They may not be claimed or registered by more than
one end-user (quantified in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent).
Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Instructions (Instructions): Provides instructions for
Sellers in Green-e Climate on how to fill in the Worksheets and what materials to assemble for the
Auditor to complete the Agreed-Upon Procedures Report.
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Green-e Climate Annual Verification Submission (Annual Verification Submission): The collected,
completed and audited documents required to be submitted annually to the Center for Resource
Solutions as part of the requirements of Green-e Climate certification. These documents include:
The Agreed-Upon Procedures Report, all completed Worksheets and all documents required by the
Checklist.
Green-e Climate Code of Conduct: The Green-e Climate Code of Conduct contains the Ethical
Guidelines, Certification Categories, and Disclosure & Verification Requirements that apply to
sellers of Green-e Climate Certified Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Products.
Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy (Protocol for Renewable Energy, PRE): The Greene Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy determines the eligibility of renewable energy projects in
the U.S. to generate GHG emissions reductions, as well as defines a method for determining the
carbon value (in tons of CO2e) of renewable energy generation. It contains the eligibility
requirements for Green-e Climate Certification of GHG emissions reductions from renewable
energy, the methodology used to calculate GHG emissions reductions, and other requirements
related to tracking, prevention of double counting and double claiming, additionality, and
verification. The Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy is an Endorsed Program under
Green-e Climate.
Green-e Climate Standard: The governing document for Green-e Climate, the Green-e Climate
Standard details the principles for Green-e Climate, as well as the criteria the Endorsed Programs
must meet. It is available on the Green-e Climate Web site at http://www.greene.org/getcert_ghg_standard.shtml.
Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI): The Low Impact Hydropower Institute is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the impacts of hydropower generation through the
certification of hydropower projects that have avoided or reduced their environmental
impacts pursuant to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute’s criteria.
Megawatt-hour (MWh): The most commonly-used unit of measure telling the amount of electricity
generated or consumed over time. It refers to one megawatt of electricity supplied for one hour.
Multi-year Purchase Agreement: A contract or sales agreement for the purchase and delivery of
Green-e Climate Certified offsets over a number of years.
Offline Sales: Sales of Green-e Climate Certified offsets not transacted via a web-based sales
channel.
Offset Card: A pre-printed, single-denomination (uniform quantity and type of product) card
(need not be in actual card form) used for in-person, over-the-counter offset transactions.
Online Sales: Sales of Green-e Climate Certified offsets transacted via a web-based sales channel.
Project type: The type of resource used to create emissions reductions (including but not limited to
renewable energy, energy efficiency, methane destruction, forestry, etc). A list of eligible project
types is available on the Green-e Climate Web site at http://www.greene.org/getcert_ghg_endorsed.shtml. The project type for each Certified Product is found on the
Product Content Label.
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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Registry: A software-based system in place to issue emissions reductions, track the ownership of
emissions reduction and record retirement of emissions reductions. Also referred to as a tracking
system.
Renewable Energy Certificate (REC): Renewable electricity generation can be split into two parts:
the electricity or electrical energy produced by a renewable generator and the renewable
“attributes” of that generation. These renewable attributes are sold separately as renewable energy
certificates (RECs). One REC is issued for each megawatt-hour (MWh) unit of renewable electricity
produced. RECs contain specific information about the renewable energy generated, including
where, when, at what facility, and with what type of generation.
Reporting Year (RY): The reporting year is the period beginning January 1 in the sales year being
reported or the date the Seller began selling its Certified Product and ending on December 31 of
that year.
Reporting Year 2012 Annual Verification Submission Timeline and Deadlines (Verification
Timeline): A document provided to Sellers that details the timeline, due dates and penalties
associated with preparing and submitting all verification materials in Reporting Year 2012.
Retirement: The process for setting aside, designating or allocating specific emissions reductions in
a registry to ensure that said emissions reductions can no longer be traded. Specific processes and
terminology regarding retirement will vary by registry, and more specific instructions for what
constitutes appropriate retirement in a given Approved Registry can be found in Appendix D of the
Audit Instructions.
Seller: An entity offering for sale at least one Certified Product to customers.
Third-party Distributor: A company that sells a Certified Product without any direct relation to
procurement, but rather through an arrangement with a Seller of a Certified Product.
Transfer: The process by which an account holder in a registry delivers specific emissions
reductions from its registry account to the separate registry account of another party. The
specific processes for transfers, the terminology and the documentation required for Green-e
Climate verification with respect to such transfers may vary by registry, and more registryspecific instructions on this topic can be found in Appendix D of the Audit Instructions.
Using Registries in Green-e Climate Annual Verification: This document details the
requirements for using registries to substantiate ownership of emissions reductions or MWh.
It is available on the Green-e Web site at http://www.green-e.org/climateverification and is
included with the verification materials sent to Sellers each year. It is also included as
Appendix D of the Audit Instructions.
Verified Carbon Standard (VCS): The VCS 2007 is a standard for voluntary GHG emissions reduction
and removal projects and their validation and verification. The VCS program is managed by the VCS
Association which is an independent, non-profit organization registered under Swiss law. The
founding partners of the VCS are The Climate Group, the International Emissions Trading
Association (IETA) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. The VCS 2007 is an
Endorsed Program under Green-e Climate.
Vintage: The date or time period that the emissions reduction was generated or created.
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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Wholesale Customer: A company that buys emissions reductions from a Seller with the intension of
reselling them to another wholesale or retail customer.
Wholesale Supplier: A company that sells emissions reductions to a Seller of emissions reductions
that intends to resell them.
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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APPENDIX B:
DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT TITLES AND OTHER
INFORMATION NEEDED BY THE AUDITOR
The following is a list of information that Sellers need to provide to their Auditor and should be
tailored to each particular engagement as reports and information will vary.
a.
Internal Reporting Documents that Indicate Sales (internal reporting documents), which is
any report from the Seller that contains the detail of sales per customer for each Certified
Product sold and that was used to complete Worksheets 2 and 5. These documents will
indicate sales made in RY2012, and could include amounts of Certified Product delivered in
RY2012 under multi-year agreements that were entered into in previous RYs. The Auditor
will need to have the data sorted by customer class, by Certified Product, and by customer
location (state).
b.
Billing Statements and/or any other necessary records of individual sales (e.g. contracts,
purchase agreements, invoices, receipts of purchase, etc.), and also records of delivery for
offset donations; should contain the emissions reductions sales by Certified Product by
customer. These should be provided to the Auditor upon request to substantiate Internal
Reporting Documents, where different.
c.
Registry Reports (Tracking System Report): Reports generated from Sellers’ Approved
Registry accounts to substantiate the retirement of eligible emissions reductions. All
Sellers must follow the rules in Appendix D of the Audit Instructions.
d.
Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol (Audit Protocol): Provides
instructions for the Auditor on the procedures to perform in order to verify a Seller’s
annual sales and supply of eligible emissions reductions.
e.
Green-e Climate Attestation from Program Seller signed by the Seller company for which
the audit protocol is being conducted. It is included as Appendix E of the Instructions.
f.
Green-e Climate Verification Checklist (Checklist): This document is provided by CRS
to the Seller. It contains information regarding the Certified Products that are subject
to this verification audit, the projects that are used to supply the Certified Products,
and any additional reporting requirements for the Seller. Seller should provide a copy
to the Auditor.
g.
Green-e Climate Verification Worksheets: A series of worksheets to be filled in by the
Seller with data from the supply for and sales of Certified Products that are verified by the
Auditor.
i.
Worksheet 1: Supply: A report that contains the detail of retirements of
emissions reductions used by Sellers in their Certified Product(s).
ii. Worksheet 2: Sales: This worksheet provides information about quantity of
Certified Products sold by Sellers to individual, commercial, and wholesale
customers.
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iii. Worksheet 3: Verification of Product Content Label: This worksheet converts
the percentage of specific retirements in each Certified Product to each resource
sold to customers.
iv. Worksheet 4: Balance of Supply and Sales: This worksheet checks that actual
supply of emissions reductions claimed in Certified Products meets or exceeds
product sales.
v. Worksheet 5: Sales by Customer Location and Type: This worksheet contains the
details of sales of Certified Products broken down by customer type, customer
location and Third-party Distributor sales.
vi. Worksheet 6: Sales by Third-party Distributors: This worksheet contains details
about the sales of each Certified Product by each Third-party Distributor.
vii. Worksheet 7: Supply from Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy
Approved Facilities: A report that contains the detail of retirements of MWhs
from renewable energy facilities approved under the Green-e Climate Protocol
for Renewable Energy and used by Sellers in their Certified Product(s).
h.
Product Content Label: The disclosure to customers of the mix of resources used to supply
a Certified Product for RY2012.
i.
Offset Card(s): A copy of each card active in RY2012, where applicable; one copy for each
unique combination of organization type and Certified Product.
j.
Project List: The list disclosed to customers of the emissions reductions projects used to
supply a Certified Product. The Project List should include the project name, project type,
project location, project start date, vintage of GHG emissions reductions (year or range of
years), Endorsed Program, and the Registry in which the project is registered. For projects
certified by the Climate Action Reserve, the Clean Development Mechanism, the Verified
Carbon Standard, or the Gold Standard, also include the project verifier.
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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APPENDIX C:
BASELINE EMISSION RATES FROM THE GREEN-E CLIMATE
PROTOCOL FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
Use these emissions factors as directed by Section IV.A.7 above. All values are in pounds per
megawatt-hour (lbs/MWh).
The Build Margin is the baseline emission rate for biomass, geothermal, ocean thermal and
hydro facilities.
The Combined Margin is the baseline emission rate for solar, wind, tidal and wave facilities.
Operating margin
(lbs/MWh)
Build Margin
(lbs/MWh)
Combined Margin
(lbs/MWh)
1,437
1,541
1,489
1,335
1,306
1,320
1,475
1,109
1,292
1,698
1,456
1,577
2,192
1,433
1,813
1,539
1,142
1,341
Reliability First Corporation (RFC)
1,987
1,083
1,535
SERC Reliability Corporation (SERC)
1,842
1,306
1,574
1,659
1,034
1,346
1,411
1,179
1,295
Region
Alaska Systems Coordinating
Council (ASCC)
Electric Reliability Council of Texas
(ERCOT)
Florida Reliability Coordinating
Council (FRCC)
Hawaiian Islands Coordinating
Council (HICC)
Midwest Reliability Organization
(MRO)
Northeast Power Coordinating
Council (NPCC)
Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP)
Western Electricity Coordinating
Council (WECC)
The baseline emission rates for the Banner Wind project are as follows:
Operating margin
(lbs/MWh)
Build Margin
(lbs/MWh)
Combined Margin
(lbs/MWh)
1,354
1,358
1,356
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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APPENDIX D:
USING REGISTRIES IN GREEN-E CLIMATE ANNUAL
VERIFICATION
In combination with Appendix D of the Audit Instructions, these requirements govern the use of
Registries toward the annual verification requirements for participants in Green-e Climate. This
Appendix describes the procedures to be followed by Auditors when reviewing Registry
Reports. Appendix D of the Audit Instructions includes the procedures for Sellers using a
Registry for sales made to a customer without a Registry account (Section I) and the procedures
for Sellers using a Registry for sales made to a customer with a Registry account (Section II).
I.
Procedures to be Followed By Auditors When Reviewing Registry Reports
A.
Verification of Retirements in a Verified Carbon Standard Registry
This section applies to sellers supplying one or more Certified Product(s) with projects certified
by the Verified Carbon Standard.
i.
APX
 Gain access to Seller’s account in the APX VCS registry. Request a Login with
Limited Access to View the Account.
 Compare information included in the Registry Report(s) provided by Seller with
the actual registry account, checking both records of retirements as well as interregistry transfers. Note any discrepancies found.
 Ensure that all information recorded in Worksheet 1: Supply can be accurately
substantiated in Seller’s registry account. For each row of Table 1 in which “VCS”
is listed in column 1F and APX is listed in column 1I, ensure that the emissions
reductions listed in that row have in fact been retired or transferred by Seller
and that they have been entered accurately into Worksheet 1.
 Ensure that the following information in the Registry matches the information on
the printed Registry Report: Project Name, Project Type, Vintage, Project ID, VCU
Serial Numbers and Quantity of VCUs.
 While logged in to the Seller’s registry account, access the additional
documentation associated with each VCS project in the APX registry. Ensure that
that Project Location (country), Project Start Date (year) and Project Verifier
have been listed accurately in Table 1.
ii.
Markit Environmental Registry
 Gain access to Seller’s account in the Markit VCS registry. Request a Login with
Limited Access to View the Account.
 Compare information included in the Registry Report(s) provided by Seller with
the actual registry account, checking both records of retirements as well as interregistry transfers. Note any discrepancies found.
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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


B.
Ensure that all information recorded in Worksheet 1: Supply can be accurately
substantiated in Seller’s registry account. For each row of Table 1 in which “VCS”
is listed in column 1F and TZ1 or Markit is listed in column 1I, ensure that the
emissions reductions listed in that row have in fact been retired or transferred
by Seller and that they have been entered accurately into Worksheet 1.
Ensure that the following information in the Registry matches the information on
the printed Registry Report: Project Name, Project Type, Vintage, Project ID, VCU
Serial Numbers and Quantity of VCUs.
While logged in to the Seller’s registry account, access the additional
documentation associated with each VCS project in the Markit registry. Ensure
that that Project Location (country), Project Start Date (year) and Project Verifier
have been listed accurately in Table 1.
Verification of Retirements in a Climate Action Reserve Registry
This section applies to sellers supplying one or more Certified Product(s) with projects certified
by the Climate Action Reserve.
i.
C.
APX
 Gain access to Seller’s account in the APX CAR registry. Request a Login with
Limited Access to View the Account.
 Compare information included in the Registry Report(s) provided by Seller with
the actual registry account, checking both records of retirements as well as interregistry transfers. Note any discrepancies found.
 Ensure that all information recorded in Worksheet 1: Supply can be accurately
substantiated in Seller’s registry account. For each row of Table 1 in which “CAR”
is listed in column 1F and APX is listed in column 1I, ensure that the emissions
reductions listed in that row have in fact been retired or transferred by Seller
and that they have been entered accurately into Worksheet 1.
 Ensure that the following information in the Registry matches the information on
the printed Registry Report: Project Name, Project Type, Vintage, Project ID, CRT
Serial Numbers and Quantity of CRTs.
 While logged in to the Seller’s registry account, access the additional
documentation associated with each CAR project in the APX registry. Ensure that
that Project Location (country), Project Start Date (year) and Project Verifier
have been listed accurately in Table 1.
Verification of Retirements in a Gold Standard Registry
This section applies to sellers supplying one or more Certified Product(s) with projects certified
by the Gold Standard.
i.
APX
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




i.
D.
Gain access to Seller’s account in the APX GS registry. Request a Login with
Limited Access to View the Account.
Compare information included in the Registry Report(s) provided by Seller with
the actual registry account, checking both records of retirements as well as interregistry transfers. Note any discrepancies found.
Ensure that all information recorded in Worksheet 1: Supply can be accurately
substantiated in Seller’s registry account. For each row of Table 1 in which “GS”
is listed in column 1F and APX is listed in column 1I, ensure that the emissions
reductions listed in that row have in fact been retired or transferred by Seller
and that they have been entered accurately into Worksheet 1.
Ensure that the following information in the Registry matches the information on
the printed Registry Report: Project Name, Project Type, Vintage, Project ID, VER
Serial Numbers and Quantity of VERs.
While logged in to the Seller’s registry account, access the additional
documentation associated with each GS project in the APX registry. Ensure that
that Project Location (country), Project Start Date (year) and Project Verifier
have been listed accurately in Table 1.
Markit Environmental Registry
 Gain access to Seller’s account in the Markit GS registry. Request a Login with
Limited Access to View the Account.
 Compare information included in the Registry Report(s) provided by Seller with
the actual registry account, checking both records of retirements as well as interregistry transfers. Note any discrepancies found.
 Ensure that all information recorded in Worksheet 1: Supply can be accurately
substantiated in Seller’s registry account. For each row of Table 1 in which “GS”
is listed in column 1F and TZ1 or Markit is listed in column 1I, ensure that the
emissions reductions listed in that row have in fact been retired or transferred
by Seller and that they have been entered accurately into Worksheet 1.
 Ensure that the following information in the Registry matches the information on
the printed Registry Report: Project Name, Project Type, Vintage, Project ID, VER
Serial Numbers and Quantity of VERs.
 While logged in to the Seller’s registry account, access the additional
documentation associated with each GS project in the Markit registry. Ensure
that that Project Location (country), Project Start Date (year) and Project Verifier
have been listed accurately in Table 1.
Verification of Retirements in a Renewable Energy Tracking System
This section applies to sellers supplying one or more Certified Product(s) with renewable energy
from facilities approved under the Green-e Climate Protocol for Renewable Energy.
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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i.
Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System (M-RETS), Western Regional Energy
Generation Information System (WREGIS), PJM Generation Attribute Tracking
System (PJM-GATS), and North American Renewables Registry (N.A.R.R.)
 Gain access to Seller’s account in the M-RETS, WREGIS, PJM-GATS, or N.A.R.R.
Tracking System.
 Compare information included in the Registry Report(s) provided by Seller with
the actual tracking system account, checking both records of retirements as well
as inter-registry transfers. Note any discrepancies found.
 Ensure that all information recorded in Worksheet 1 can be accurately
substantiated in Seller’s tracking system account. For each project in Table 7,
ensure that the MWhs listed in that row have in fact been retired or transferred
by Seller and that they have been entered accurately into Worksheet 7.
 Ensure that the following information in the Tracking System matches the
information on the printed Registry Report: Project Name, Project Type, Vintage,
Facility ID, Serial Number IDs and Quantity of MWhs or RECs.
ii.
Texas’ Statewide Tracking System (ERCOT)
 Gain access to Seller’s account in the ERCOT Tracking System.
 Compare information included in the Registry Report(s) provided by Seller with
the actual tracking system account, checking both records of retirements as well
as inter-registry transfers. Note any discrepancies found.
 Ensure that all information recorded in Worksheet 1 can be accurately
substantiated in Seller’s tracking system account. For each project in Table 7,
ensure that the MWhs listed in that row have in fact been retired or transferred
by Seller and that they have been entered accurately into Worksheet 7.
 Ensure that the following information in the Tracking System matches the
information on the printed Registry Report: Project Type, Vintage, Facility ID,
Serial Number IDs and Quantity of MWhs or RECs.
 While logged in to the Seller’s registry account, access the additional
documentation associated with each project in the ERCOT tracking system.
Ensure that that Project Name matches the Facility ID, and that both have been
listed accurately in Worksheet 1 and Worksheet 7.
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
Copyright © 2010 Center for Resource Solutions. All Rights Reserved.
Page 45 of 47
APPENDIX E:
AUDITOR’S ATTESTATION FOR AGREED-UPON PROCEDURES
REPORT
This attestation has been completed by the Auditor, in regards to the Green-e Climate Certified
sales of [Seller for which Audit was Performed] (“Participant”) made in 2012.
Auditor Company Name:
Business Address:
[Auditor Company Name]
[Address of Auditor Company]
AUDITOR DECLARATION
I declare that I am qualified to perform the Green-e Climate audit, as I am (check one):
An external auditor and CPA; or
Working for the Green-e Climate Seller company whose sales are being verified and I
am a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
I did not fill in the Green-e Climate Verification Worksheets.
The RY2012 version of the Green-e Climate Verification Audit Protocol (“Audit Protocol”)
was read and its procedures were followed with due diligence.
The Green-e Climate Agreed-Upon Procedures Report was completed according to the
instructions in the Audit Protocol, to assist the Participant (or specified parties) in
complying with the annual reporting requirements of the Center for Resource Solutions’
Green-e Climate certification program for the Reporting Year ended December 31, 2012.
The Agreed-Upon Procedures Report was performed in accordance with the standards
established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and all requirements
in Section II of the Audit Protocol.
All information within the Agreed-Upon Procedures Report and in this attestation fairly
represents the results of my assessment.
AGREED UPON PROCEDURES REPORT SUMMARY
Based on the Green-e Climate Audit Protocol and the results of the Agreed-Upon Procedures,
[Auditor Company Name] (“Auditor”) asserts that Seller has:
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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Page 46 of 47
NO EXCEPTIONS with regard to its compliance of the Green-e Climate verification
reporting requirements put forth in the Annual Verification Instructions and Protocol;
-- Or -EXCEPTIONS with regard to its compliance of the Green-e Climate verification reporting
requirements put forth in the Annual Verification Instructions and Protocol, and these
exceptions are listed in the Agreed-Upon Procedures Report.
Signature
[Date Attesation Signed]
Date Signed
[Name of Lead Auditor]
Printed Name
[Title of Lead Auditor]
Title
*If more than one Auditor conducted the Agreed-Upon Procedures Report (AUPR), the manager of the audit
procedures should sign this Auditor Attestation. The names of those others who were involved in the AUPR may be
listed below:
[Names of Additional Auditors]
The Green-e Climate Annual Verification Audit Protocol RY2012
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