DATA FLOWS → MRV SYSTEMS
MRV Systems
Measurement. Reporting. Verification.
The evidence infrastructure behind every credible climate and nature claim.
In 30 Seconds
MRV stands for Measurement, Reporting, and Verification – the three pillars that transform environmental claims from assertions into evidence.
Measurement
Quantifying environmental outcomes – carbon sequestered, habitat restored, water quality improved.
Reporting
Documenting outcomes in standardised formats – registries, disclosure frameworks, audit trails.
Verification
Independent confirmation that measurements are accurate and reporting is truthful.
Why it matters: Without robust MRV, carbon credits are worthless, biodiversity claims are unverifiable, and nature-positive targets are meaningless. MRV is the infrastructure of trust.
Where This Fits
MRV is the foundation of Data Flows – the vertical element that moves evidence up through the sustainability system:
MRV originates at L2 – where landscapes meet measurement. Data quality at this layer determines the credibility of everything above it: ecosystem service valuations, carbon credit issuance, corporate disclosures, and strategic decisions.
The Three Pillars
1. Measurement
Quantifying environmental outcomes with sufficient accuracy, precision, and coverage.
Remote Sensing
Satellite and aerial imagery for landscape-scale monitoring.
- • Optical: Land cover, deforestation, vegetation health (Sentinel, Landsat, Planet)
- • Radar: Biomass estimation, soil moisture (Sentinel-1, ALOS)
- • LiDAR: Forest structure, biomass mapping (GEDI, airborne)
Ground-Truth
Field measurements that validate and calibrate remote sensing.
- • Plot sampling: Tree measurements, soil cores, species surveys
- • Sensor networks: Soil carbon, water quality, biodiversity (eDNA, acoustic)
- • Community monitoring: Citizen science, local knowledge
The Measurement Challenge
Remote sensing provides coverage; ground-truth provides accuracy. Neither is sufficient alone. Robust MRV combines both – using field data to calibrate and validate satellite-derived estimates.
2. Reporting
Documenting measurements in standardised, interoperable formats.
| Context | Reporting Mechanism | What Gets Reported |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon credits | Registry submissions (Verra, Gold Standard, UK codes) | Project design documents, monitoring reports, issuance requests |
| Biodiversity credits | BNG registers, TNFD, voluntary standards | Habitat units, condition assessments, management plans |
| Corporate disclosure | CSRD, CDP, TNFD, SBTi | Emissions, targets, dependencies, impacts, governance |
| Supply chains | EUDR systems, certification audits | Geolocation, due diligence statements, chain of custody |
The Reporting Challenge
Different frameworks require different formats, metrics, and boundaries. The ISSB and CSRD are bringing convergence – but interoperability remains a challenge. Data reported for carbon credits may not align with data required for TNFD disclosure.
3. Verification
Independent confirmation that measurements are accurate and reporting is truthful.
Third-Party Audit
Human auditors conducting site visits and document review.
- • Strengths: Context awareness, adaptive investigation, relationship building
- • Weaknesses: Expensive, infrequent, limited coverage, potential capture
- • Providers: VVBs (SGS, DNV, SCS Global), certification auditors
Technology-Enabled
Satellite monitoring, sensors, and algorithmic verification.
- • Strengths: Continuous, scalable, consistent, tamper-resistant
- • Weaknesses: Can miss nuance, requires ground-truth calibration
- • Providers: Pachama, Sylvera, Planet, Restor, BeZero
The Verification Evolution
The trend is toward hybrid verification: technology-enabled continuous monitoring augmented by targeted human audits. Satellite alerts trigger site visits. Field data validates algorithmic assessments. Neither replaces the other.
MRV by Domain
Different environmental outcomes require different MRV approaches.
Carbon
Measurement
Biomass estimation, soil carbon sampling, flux towers, allometric equations
Reporting
Registry submissions, monitoring reports, ex-ante/ex-post estimates
Verification
VVB audits, satellite monitoring (Pachama, Sylvera), registry oversight
Maturity: Most developed MRV domain. UK codes (WCC, Peatland) have robust requirements.
Biodiversity
Measurement
Species surveys, eDNA, acoustic monitoring, habitat condition assessment
Reporting
Biodiversity units (BNG), TNFD metrics, SBTN indicators
Verification
Ecologist assessments, satellite monitoring, baseline comparisons
Maturity: Rapidly developing. BNG has set UK standard. Voluntary markets are evolving.
Water
Measurement
Flow monitoring, quality sampling, catchment modelling, satellite hydrology
Reporting
CDP Water, AWS certification, watershed PES reporting
Verification
Lab testing, environmental agency data, modelling validation
Maturity: Mixed. Compliance monitoring mature; ecosystem service MRV emerging.
Deforestation / Land Use
Measurement
Satellite deforestation alerts (GLAD, Planet), historical land cover analysis
Reporting
EUDR due diligence, CDP Forests, supply chain declarations
Verification
Satellite monitoring services, certification audits, field verification
Maturity: Technology mature. EUDR driving rapid adoption. Plot-level traceability challenging.
The Technology Landscape
MRV technology is evolving rapidly. Key players and platforms:
Satellite Platforms
- Planet: Daily global coverage, forest alerts, supply chain monitoring
- Sentinel (ESA): Free, open data. Optical + radar. Workhorse of MRV.
- Landsat (NASA): Longest continuous record. Essential for baselines.
- GEDI (NASA): LiDAR for forest structure and biomass.
Carbon MRV Platforms
- Pachama: AI-powered forest carbon verification
- Sylvera: Carbon credit ratings and monitoring
- BeZero: Credit quality ratings, risk assessment
- Chloris Geospatial: Above-ground biomass mapping
Biodiversity MRV
- NatureMetrics: eDNA sampling and analysis
- Rainforest Connection: Acoustic monitoring, deforestation alerts
- Restor: Restoration mapping and monitoring
- GBIF: Global biodiversity data aggregation
Traceability & Supply Chain
- Trase: Commodity supply chain mapping
- Global Forest Watch: Deforestation alerts, supply chain risk
- Sourcemap: Supply chain traceability platform
- OpenSC: Product traceability from source to shelf
The AI Revolution
Machine learning is transforming MRV. Models trained on ground-truth data can now extract biomass estimates, detect deforestation, identify species from acoustic recordings, and predict ecosystem trajectories. The challenge is ensuring model accuracy and avoiding black-box opacity.
The MRV Quality Hierarchy
Not all MRV is created equal. Understanding the quality spectrum helps you evaluate claims.
Gold Standard
Direct measurement + continuous monitoring + third-party verification + transparent methodology
Example: Plot-level carbon inventory with satellite monitoring and annual VVB audit
High Quality
Robust sampling + regular monitoring + independent verification
Example: Stratified sampling design with satellite change detection and periodic field validation
Acceptable
Standard methodology + periodic monitoring + certification audit
Example: Default emission factors with annual reporting and certification body audit
Low Quality
Generic estimates + infrequent monitoring + self-reporting
Example: Global average emission factors with no site-specific validation
Unacceptable
No methodology + no monitoring + no verification
Example: Claims with no evidence or transparent calculation
Who Operates in MRV
Project Developers
Generating MRV data for credits
Key questions:
- • What monitoring system do I need?
- • How do I reduce verification costs?
- • What technology should I invest in?
Watch out for: Upfront monitoring costs, evolving standards, verifier availability.
Corporates / Buyers
Evaluating MRV quality of purchases
Key questions:
- • How do I assess credit quality?
- • What MRV standard is sufficient?
- • How do I avoid greenwashing risk?
Watch out for: Quality variance, rating methodology differences, due diligence burden.
MRV Technology Providers
Building the infrastructure
Key questions:
- • How do we scale while maintaining accuracy?
- • What's the path to standardisation?
- • How do we demonstrate reliability?
Watch out for: Ground-truth data needs, model validation, market adoption.
Verification Bodies
Providing assurance
Key questions:
- • How do we incorporate technology?
- • What training do auditors need?
- • How do we maintain independence?
Watch out for: Technology disruption, capacity constraints, conflict of interest.
The Pandion View
MRV is the unglamorous but essential infrastructure of the sustainability transition. Without it, ambitious targets are just words and green claims are just marketing.
The organisations that invest in MRV infrastructure now will have two advantages: credibility (their claims will be defensible) and operational insight(they'll actually understand what's happening in their landscapes and supply chains).
We help clients design MRV systems that work – balancing rigour with practicality, technology with human insight, compliance with strategic value. MRV isn't just a cost centre; it's a source of competitive intelligence.