ACCA Strategic Professional · Advanced Audit and Assurance (International) · The assurance of sustainability

Harlow Mining reports sustainability data using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and engages an assurer for limited assurance. The report states: 'Scope 1 emissions were 120,000 tonnes CO2e, determined using estimation methods.' Management's emission factors come from a recognised national database, but the report does not disclose a measurement uncertainty. The assurer concludes the figures are fairly stated in all material respects. Which consideration is most relevant to the assurer's conclusion about the suitability of the criteria?

The assurer must judge whether the criteria are suitable: relevant, complete, reliable, neutral and understandable. Where emissions are estimated, disclosing the inherent uncertainty may be needed for the criteria to be properly applied. This applies to both limited and reasonable assurance, and published status alone is insufficient.

1. ASuitable criteria must be relevant, complete, reliable, neutral and understandable, and the disclosure of inherent estimation uncertainty may be needed for them to meet these characteristicsCorrect
2. BCriteria are suitable if they are widely published, regardless of how the entity applies them
3. CLimited assurance does not require the assurer to consider criteria suitability
4. DEstimation uncertainty is only relevant in reasonable assurance engagements