The biggest benefit to be gained from adopting ISO14064 is enhanced reliability. Given the benefit, Japanese operators could consider two definite objectives: to facilitate effective internal control on their emissions control/reduction activities and to demonstrate their action externally.

　In the area of internal control, ISO14064 is useful as it systematically represents a series of basic principle and procedures in GHG accounting/reporting. It will not serve as an accounting tool per se for operators to calculate and identify concrete figures of emissions or emission reductions. But it will serve as a guideline to use specific accounting tools and programs on their own by applying ISO concept and procedures. Thus, it allows them to use more flexibly to meet their objectives or needs such as internal/external auditing. In other words, ISO14064 will ensure certain quality and reliability for each operator in GHG accounting and reporting depending on the degree of their requirements.
　No less important is the fact that ISO14064 is a voluntary standard and that it is designed to be used flexibly to meet diverse needs. Thus, any application that hampers the flexibility is adverse to users’ primary intentions. We have a strong concern that ISO14064 would function as a de-facto standard or mandatory obligation that require business operators to comply in order to complete business deals or to meet requirements for incentive measures or environmental ratings.

　Also, the administrative organization should not add special rules or interpretation to it. All of these actions would be detrimental to original functions and advantages designed in ISO14064.

　With respect to disclosure, adoption of ISO14064 is expected to give operators a “carte blanche” that would ensure quality and reliability of their reports. Thus, operators would feel it easier to let stakeholders and others in the society to understand and assess their own efforts and endeavors in controlling and reducing emissions. Depending on their objectives and needs, they can use it for internal and external auditing and verification processes. To enhance reliability in publicly released data and information is extremely important for operators to perform their social responsibilities. At the same time, it is also essential for the society and stakeholders to understand operators’ efforts to reduce emissions. And the function could be reinforced with the application of ISO 14064.
　Another benefit of ISO14064 that one can think of is comparative advantage to other competitors, although the rationale is hard to prove at this moment. There are two reasons that it is unlikely: 1) it never enables automatic comparison of performance with others. To compare and contrast with other competitors in a same industry, a common set of program and tool should be shared among them. Yet, provision of data and information based on such criteria is still limited. 2) Operators/suppliers as well as consumers/stakeholders who choose products and services have yet to recognize that GHG emissions-related performance is a key factor.

　The mounting concern about GHG emissions on the part of the society and stakeholders could trigger more business commitments or initiatives. In that case, businesses can use ISO14064 for setting a certain comparable indicators/measurement, appeal their higher performances in GHG and finally gain competitive advantage.

　In conclusion, the potential and future direction of ISO14064 would be as follows: ISO14064 has a potential to increase efficiency and quality of GHG emissions control process in internal/external auditing or IR activities, enhance reliability of reporting data/information and by offering flexibility to meet users’ needs, which would lead to wider appeal for the society. In future it might develop as a wide-ranging strategic tool as well by responding to changing demands of the society and stakeholders in view of GHG.