Greenwashing, evidence & assurance · Working
Second-party opinion
Also called: SPO
ELI5
An external assessment of a sustainable-finance framework or instrument.
Used in conversation
“The control owner needs to resolve the exception around second-party opinion.”
Pitch context
You will see “Second-party opinion” in sustainability reports, impact decks, climate plans and assurance materials when the discussion reaches greenwashing, evidence & assurance.
Why it matters: In greenwashing, evidence & assurance, a loose definition can change rights, obligations, approval, disclosure or enforceability.
Caution
Meaning, enforceability and required process vary by jurisdiction and agreement; this definition is not legal advice.
Connected terms
- Green bond external reviewThe search label “second-party opinion” can route to both entries.
Sources & evidence · 4
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- IFRS Foundation / International Sustainability Standards Board — IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 Sustainability Disclosure StandardsDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- GHG Protocol — Standards and GuidanceDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- International Organization for Standardization — ISO Net Zero Guidelines and related workDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Federal Trade Commission — Advertising and Marketing GuidanceDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16