GHG Protocol Audit Trail Documentation — Verification Chain of Custody

Table of Contents

1. [Introduction](#introduction)
2. [Chain of Custody](#chain-of-custody)

• 2.1 Overview
• 2.2 Data Flow Diagram
• 2.3 Sensor Measurement
• 2.4 Data Transmission
• 2.5 Data Processing
• 2.6 Reporting

1. [Data Integrity](#data-integrity)

• 3.1 Data Format Specifications
• 3.2 Data Validation Procedures

1. [Timestamp Verification](#timestamp-verification)

• 4.1 Timestamp Standards
• 4.2 Synchronization Protocols

1. [Tamper Detection](#tamper-detection)

• 5.1 Tamper-Evident Technologies
• 5.2 Data Integrity Checks

1. [Audit Log Format](#audit-log-format)

• 6.1 Log Structure
• 6.2 Log Retention Policy

1. [Conformance Assessment Procedures](#conformance-assessment-procedures)
2. [Conclusion](#conclusion)

1. Introduction

This document outlines the audit trail requirements for the GHG Protocol as it pertains to the verification chain of custody for carbon credits generated through the DaedArch Corporation's sensor-based Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) platform. This documentation is intended for use by technical reviewers and compliance auditors to ensure adherence to the GHG Protocol standards, including the Corporate Standard, Scope 3 Standard, Product Standard, and the forthcoming Land Sector and Removals Guidance.

2. Chain of Custody

2.1 Overview

The chain of custody shall encompass the entire lifecycle of environmental data captured, processed, and reported by the DaedArch MRV platform. Each step in this process must be meticulously documented to ensure traceability and accountability.

2.2 Data Flow Diagram

A data flow diagram (DFD) shall be developed to illustrate the flow of data from sensor measurement through to credit issuance. The DFD must include the following components:

• IoT Sensors
• Data Transmission Layer
• Data Processing Engine
• Reporting Interface
• Verification Interface

2.3 Sensor Measurement

2.3.1 Sensor Specifications

Sensors utilized must conform to the following specifications:

• Type: IoT-enabled environmental sensors (e.g., CO2, CH4, N2O).
• Accuracy: Must meet or exceed ±2% of the measured value.
• Calibration: Sensors shall be calibrated annually by a certified third-party service.

2.3.2 Data Capture

Data captured by sensors shall be formatted in JSON as follows:

`json { "sensor_id": "string", "timestamp": "ISO8601", "location": { "latitude": "float", "longitude": "float" }, "measurements": { "CO2": "float", "CH4": "float", "N2O": "float" } } `

2.4 Data Transmission

Data from sensors shall be transmitted to the central processing unit via secure HTTP (HTTPS) protocols. The transmission must include:

• API Endpoint: POST /api/v1/sensor-data
• Authentication: OAuth 2.0 token-based authentication.

2.5 Data Processing

Data processing shall occur within a certified data processing engine that adheres to the following requirements:

• Data Validation: Each incoming data packet must pass validation checks against predefined thresholds.
• Algorithm Certification: Algorithms used for processing must be certified by an accredited body.

2.6 Reporting

Reports generated must be in a standardized format (CSV, JSON, or XML) and shall include:

• Report ID: Unique identifier for the report.
• Generation Timestamp: ISO8601 format.
• Data Summary: Aggregated data metrics.
• Verification Status: Status of the report in the verification process.

3. Data Integrity

3.1 Data Format Specifications

Data integrity shall be maintained through the use of standardized formats. The following formats are mandated:

• JSON for raw sensor data.
• CSV for reporting.
• XML for external API interactions.

3.2 Data Validation Procedures

Data validation shall include:

• Range Checks: Ensure that sensor readings fall within acceptable ranges.
• Consistency Checks: Verify that timestamps are sequential and consistent with the expected data flow.

4. Timestamp Verification

4.1 Timestamp Standards

Timestamps shall be recorded in ISO 8601 format (YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ssZ) to ensure uniformity across all data entries.

4.2 Synchronization Protocols

All devices shall synchronize their clocks using Network Time Protocol (NTP) with a maximum allowable drift of ±1 second per day.

5. Tamper Detection

5.1 Tamper-Evident Technologies

Tamper-evident seals and hardware mechanisms must be employed on all physical sensors to prevent unauthorized access. Each sensor shall be equipped with:

• Tamper Switch: An internal switch that triggers an alert if the device casing is opened.

5.2 Data Integrity Checks

Data integrity checks shall be implemented through hash functions (SHA-256) applied to data packets upon transmission. The hash value shall be stored alongside the data for verification purposes.

6. Audit Log Format

6.1 Log Structure

Audit logs shall follow the structure below and must be recorded in JSON format:

`json { "log_id": "string", "event_type": "string", "timestamp": "ISO8601", "user_id": "string", "action": "string", "status": "string", "details": "string" } `

6.2 Log Retention Policy

Audit logs shall be retained for a minimum of 7 years, with access restricted to authorized personnel only. Logs must be backed up in a secure location.

7. Conformance Assessment Procedures

Conformance to the GHG Protocol standards shall be assessed through the following procedures:

• Internal Audits: Conducted semi-annually to evaluate compliance with documentation and operational procedures.
• External Audits: Third-party audits shall be conducted annually by an accredited body to verify adherence to standards.
• Corrective Actions: Non-conformities identified during audits shall be documented, and corrective actions must be implemented within 30 days.

8. Conclusion

This GHG Protocol Audit Trail Documentation outlines the essential requirements for the verification chain of custody within the DaedArch Corporation's MRV platform. Adherence to these specifications ensures that all data captured, processed, and reported is reliable, traceable, and compliant with global standards for greenhouse gas accounting. Compliance with these requirements is imperative for maintaining the integrity of carbon credits and supporting the overarching goals of the GHG Protocol.