Portuguese Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Future Perfect Partnering with Portuguese Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Aviation Sector EU Emissions Trading Scheme
In the autumn of 2010, Future Perfect (FP) began collaborating with the Portuguese Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The goal was to establish a comprehensive training and accreditation programme for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Verifiers to enable them to undertake verification in the aviation sector, for the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS).
The Portuguese EPA provides specialized environmental education and training to verifiers operating in Portugal. The programme requested of FP was to specifically address Portugal’s immediate need to upskill their existing experienced pool of verifiers to be able to service the requirements of the aviation sector, following the incorporation of aviation into the EU ETS (primarily through - Directive 2008/101/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 amending Directive 2003/87/EC so as to include aviation activities in the scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community, 13 January 2009, L 8/3).
FP Support
Throughout the autumn, Future Perfect designed and created the content of the training program, and the exams for verifier competence assessment, based on the EU Directives, Guidance Documents, and Future Perfect’s leading edge expertise of verification in the aviation sector. The learning objectives, exam assessment criteria and training program activities were carefully tailored to ensure both the aviation sector knowledge, and practical skills of how to conduct verifications in the sector were transferred to delegates. Competency for the sector and verification skills was assessed through examination.
The program was a combination of presentations and workshop exercises designed to provide attendees with knowledge of the sector and the practical skills required of a verifier in conducting verifications (audits) in the aviation sector. Following the course the verifiers completed and submitted an exam to demonstrate their competency in verifying the aviation sector. The course was delivered in November 2010 and was very well received by delegates.
As aviation regulations were constituted relatively quickly, members from FP had to work very closely with the Portuguese EPA to ensure that goals were achievable. The course was conducted and assessed in English, with assistance from the Portuguese EPA team to clarify any questions or linguistic issues.
The primary support provided by FP throughout the entire programme consisted of:
- Consultancy and guidance on training programme design and setup
- Designing and running interactive workshops for verifiers
- Designing and delivering three days training materials to cover the aviation sector, requirements of reporters, and conducting verifications in the sector
- Creation of accreditation exam materials
- Provision of training manuals, additional reference materials and electronic handouts and online resource documents
Outcomes
By the middle of December 2010, FP had successfully created and delivered the GHG Verifier training program and administered exams resulting in a pool of qualified aviation sector verifiers.
