In November, we convened the fifth Perseus User Needs & Impact meeting of 2023, co-chaired by Sage and Icebreaker One. During this meeting, we discussed getting the language right around assurance. We also discussed the proposed Perseus business model.
Meeting summary
It was noted that:
- Getting the language right around the assurance process and requirements is key:
- Assurance is critical to the solution for building trust
- A form of assurance is being, or will likely be, mandated across the market
- Assurance definitions of ‘limited’ and ‘reasonable’ are materially different
- Basic requirements: level of documentation of technical backbone; ensuring accuracy in data; completeness checks
It was discussed that:
- Reflecting on assurance principles, there should be controls, checks and balances built in to the solution (e.g. within automated data flow for standardisation)
- In terms of the business case and involved parties (SMEs, software applications, banks, WBA etc.), the value of Perseus is in:
- Helping unlock financial investment
- Saving resources (time, efficiency)
- Improving quality and credibility
- Reducing friction for SMEs
- Improving Scope 3, Cat 15 reporting on financed emissions
Attendees:
Co-Chairs:
Gavin Starks, Founder and CEO, Icebreaker One
Duncan Oswald, Climate Science Lead, Sage
Members:
Aneysha Minocha, Founder and CEO, Quantenergy
Cerys Leff, Climate Data Analyst, Natwest
Hannah Cool, ESG Director, PwC
Ian Sutherland, CFO and Head of Net Zero, Tide
Jane Mossman, Head of Business Decarbonisation, West London
Josh Couchman, Head of Data Strategy, Connect Earth
Leon Jayasinghe, Partnerships Manager, Tide
Martina Colman, Head of Climate Science & Engineering, Climate Essentials
Molly Webb, Founder and CEO, Energy Unlocked
Nika Safonova, Business Carbon Management, Cogo
Rick Curtis, Smart DCC
Tracie Callaghan, Innovation Lead, Natwest
Apologies:
Andrew Griffiths, Director of Policy & Partnerships, Planet Mark
Conrad Ford, Chief Product & Strategy Officer
David Beer, Head of Enterprise Solutions and Partnerships, Cogo
Lee Freeman, Managing Partner, LSF Consultants Limited t/a Auditel
Lynne Baber, UK PwC Sustainability Practice Leader, PwC
Madhuban Kumar, CEO, Carbon Laces