Assurance
Independent examination of reported sustainability information, at limited or reasonable levels, adding credibility to disclosure.
Assurance is the sustainability analogue of a financial audit. An independent practitioner examines reported information and expresses a conclusion on whether it is fairly stated.
Two levels exist. Limited assurance provides a negative conclusion — nothing came to the practitioner's attention suggesting the information is misstated — and involves less evidence gathering. Reasonable assurance provides a positive conclusion and approaches audit depth. Most current sustainability assurance is limited, which is materially weaker.
The distinction matters to readers who treat an assurance statement as a clean bill of health. Scope, criteria and level determine how much comfort is actually being offered, and a report that does not state them clearly is hard to rely on.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between certification and assurance?
Certification confirms conformity with a standard. Assurance examines the accuracy of reported information.
Why is limited assurance so common?
Cost and maturity. It gives some comfort at a fraction of the effort of a full audit.