VerificationStandardV3.1-2020GlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard2of22GlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard3of22CONTENTS1INTRODUCTION52PURPOSE63GENERALVERIFICATIONREQUIREMENTS63.1COMMONVERIFICATIONREQUIREMENTS73.1.1VERIFICATIONSCOPE73.1.2VERIFICATIONAPPROACH83.1.3COMPLIANCEWITHGCCRULES83.1.4USEOFAPPLICABLEFORMSANDTEMPLATES93.1.5USEOFAPPLICABLEGLOBALWARMINGPOTENTIALS93.2GCCVERIFICATIONPRIORTOREGISTRATION93.2.1PROJECTVERIFICATION93.2.2OBJECTIVEOFPROJECTVERIFICATION103.2.3VERIFICATIONAPPROACH103.2.4VERIFICATIONUSINGSTANDARDAUDITINGTECHNIQUES103.2.5CRITERIAFORSITEVISITS113.2.6NON-CONFORMITIESANDCORRECTIVEACTIONREQUESTS113.3GCCVERIFICATIONPRIORTOISSUANCE123.3.1EMISSIONREDUCTIONVERIFICATION123.3.2OBJECTIVEOFEMISSIONREDUCTIONVERIFICATION133.3.3VERIFICATIONAPPROACH133.3.4QUALITYOFEVIDENCE133.3.5APPLICATIONOFMATERIALITY143.3.6VERIFICATIONUSINGSTANDARDAUDITINGTECHNIQUES143.3.7CRITERIAFORSITEVISITS153.3.8NON-CONFORMITIESANDCORRECTIVEACTIONREQUESTS164SPECIFICVERIFICATIONREQUIREMENTS174.1GHGVERIFICATIONREQUIREMENTS174.2SUSTAINABILITYVERIFICATIONREQUIREMENTS174.3ENVIRONMENTANDSOCIALSAFEGUARDSVERIFICATIONREQUIREMENTS175VERIFICATIONANDCERTIFICATIONSTATEMENT175.1PROJECTVERIFICATION&CERTIFICATIONSTATEMENT175.2EMISSIONREDUCTIONVERIFICATION&CERTIFICATIONSTATEMENT18APPENDIX1:MAPPINGGCCVERIFICATIONREQUIREMENTS19GlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard4of22ACRONYMSACCApprovedCarbonCreditsACC+ApprovedCarbonCreditsLabelCARCorrectiveActionRequestCDMCleanDevelopmentMechanismCLClarificationRequestCORSIACarbonOffsettingandReductionSchemeforInternationalAviationE+EnvironmentalNo-net-harmLabelERVREmissionReductionVerificationReportFARForwardActionRequestGCCGlobalCarbonCouncilGHGGreenhouseGasGORDGulfOrganisationforResearchandDevelopmentGVGCCVerifierGWPGlobalWarmingPotentialIPCCIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChangeISOInternationalOrganizationforStandardizationMENAMiddleEast&NorthAfricaPMRProjectMonitoringReportPSFProjectSubmissionFormPVRProjectVerificationReportS+SocialNo-net-harmLabelSDG+UnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoalsLabelUNFCCCUnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChangeVBVerificationBodyGlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard5of221Introduction1.TheGlobalCarbonCouncil(GCC)ProgramistheMiddleEast&NorthAfrica(MENA)region’sfirstvoluntarycarbonoffsettingprogramandaninitiativeofGulfOrganizationforResearchandDevelopment(GORD).ThevoluntaryGHGoffsettingprogramdevelopedbyGCC1,aregisteredindependentlegalentity,iscalledas‘GCCProgram’,whichaimstocontributetoavisionofasustainableandlow-carbonworldeconomy.TheGCCProgramreceivesGHGemission-reductionprojectsfromtheentireworld,althoughithasplacedspecialemphasisonlow-carbondevelopmentintheMENAregion,whichhaslargelyremainedunder-representedincarbonmarkets.TheGCCProgramhelpstocatalyseclimateactionontheground,whileensuringthatprojectconstructionandoperationscauseanynet-harmtotheenvironmentandsocietyandcontributetotheUnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoalsasperhost-country’priorities.TheGCCProgramiscomprisedoftheentiregovernancestructure,systemandthedocumentationframeworktoachievethisobjective.2.TheGCCProjectStandardrequiresProjectOwner(s)toidentifytheType(AorB)ofprojectthattheyintendtopursueand,accordingly,completeaProjectSubmissionForm(PSF)fortheirproposedProjectActivity.InthePSFformtheymustclearlyidentifytherequirementswithrespecttocertificationlabelsand/ormarketeligibility(e.g.,CORSIA)thattheywishtotarget.ThesechoicesindicatedbyProjectOwnersinthePSF(includingonthecoverpage)becomeapackageofrequirementsagainstwhichaGCCVerifier,2aswellastheGCCOperationsTeamandSteeringCommittee,shallassessandevaluatetheprojectthroughouttheprojectcycle.3.ProjectOwnersshallindicatetheirchoicesex-anteinthePSFandreflectedthemintheProjectMonitoringReports(PMRs)fortheirProjectActivity,whichshallbeverifiedbyanapprovedGCCVerifieratboththeProjectVerificationandtheEmissionReductionVerificationstagesoftheprojectcycle.ForTypeA1andA2projects,projectverificationbyanapprovedGCCVerifierismandatory.ForTypeB1projects,projectverificationbyanapprovedGCCVerifierisonlyrequiredforverifyingandcertifyingtheinformationinthePSFthathasnotbeennotpreviouslybeenvalidatedundertheCDMregistrationprocess(e.g.,informationrequiredforverificationofcompliancewiththeSDG+,E+,S+,C+labels).ForTypeB2projects,projectverificationbyanapprovedGCCVerifierisnotrequired(becauseprojectverificationhasbeenconductedundertheCDMregistrationprocess).4.ThisVerificationStandardhasbeendevelopedbasedontherequirementsofsection4oftheProgramManual,3whichistheoverarchingGCCprogramdocumentthatprovideslinkstovariousGCCdocumentscontainingtherulesandrequirementsgoverningtheGCCProgram.1TheGCCProgramisoperatedonbehalfofGCCSteeringCommitteebyGCCOperationsTeam.Anysubmissionto‘GCC’or‘GCCProgram’shallbeconsideredtobesubmittedto‘GCCOperationsTeam’,whichcanbecontactedatoperations@globalcarboncouncil.com.GCCdocumentsareavailableonwebsite:www.globalcarboncouncil.com/resource-centre.html2ListofapprovedGCCVerifiers:https://www.globalcarboncouncil.com/gcc-verifiers.html3GCCProgramManualavailableat:www.globalcarboncouncil.com/resource-centre.htmlGlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard6of225.Theterms4usedinthisdocumenthavebeendefinedintheProgramDefinitionsdocumentandshallbereferredtowhenapplyingtheVerificationStandard(thisdocument).6.GCCVerifiers,whenapplyingthisstandard,shallalsoensurecompliancewiththeapplicablerequirementsstipulatedintheGCCProgramManual,ProgramProcessandProjectStandard.2Purpose7.Thepurposeofthisdocumentistodescribetheprocessofconductingathird-partyindependentverificationofaGCCProjectActivityandproviderequirementsforGCCVerifiersforverifyingandcertifyingthe:(a)Greenhouse-gas(GHG)emissionreductionsandremovalsachievedbytheProjectActivity;(b)ContributionstowardsachievingtheUnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs);and(c)ClaimsthattheProjectActivitydoesnotcauseanynetharmtotheenvironmentor/andsociety.3GeneralVerificationRequirements8.VerificationofProjectActivitiesbyapprovedGCCVerifiersisapre-requisiteforProjectOwnersthatintendtosubmitprojectsforregistrationandissuanceofcarboncredits(ApprovedCarbonCreditsorACCs)undertheGCCProgram.9.FortheGCCProgram,athird-partyindependentexternalverificationoftheProjectActivityisrequiredtobeconductedbyapprovedGCCVerifierspriortotwostagesintheGCCprojectcycle.Thetwostagesare:(a)GCCProjectRegistration;and(b)GCCACCIssuance.10.UndertheGCCProgram,aGCCVerifier(GV)orVerificationBody(VB)meansanindividualoranorganizationapprovedbytheGCCProgramtoactasaGCCVerifierandprovideverificationservicesinaccordancewiththeGCCrules.11.AGCCVerifiercaneitherbeaGCCProjectVerifieroraGCCEmissionReductionVerifier.Accordingly,aGCCVerificationcanbeclassifiedintotwotypesdependingonthenatureandstageoftheverificationintheGCCprojectcycle.4WhileusinganyGCCdocument,theterms/definitions/Acronymsandthenamesoftheregulatorydocumentsreferredhavetheirfirstletterincapitals(e.g.,ProjectStandard).GlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard7of223.1CommonVerificationRequirements12.Clause1ofISO14064-2:2006andISO14064-3:2006,respectively,stipulatethattherequirementsoftheGCCProgramareadditionaltotherequirementsofISO14064.ThegenericrequirementsoftheGCCProgramarebasedonInternationalStandardISO14064-2andISO14064-3,whereasthespecificmandatoryrequirementsoftheGCCProgramandProjectActivitiesarestipulatedintheProjectStandardandverificationrequirementsarestipulatedinVerificationStandard(thisdocument)andrespectiveCDMmethodologies.GCCVerifiersshallrefertoAPPENDIX1oftheProjectStandard,whichlinkstheISO14064-2requirementswiththeGCCrulesandrequirementsforprojectdevelopment,implementationandmonitoring,andAPPENDIX1oftheVerificationStandard(thisdocument),whichlinkstheISO14064-3requirementswithProjectandEmissionReductionVerification.3.1.1VerificationScope13.GCCVerifiersshallconductProjectVerificationsandEmissionReductionVerificationsofGCCProjectActivitiesbasedontheGCCrules5asstipulatedinthe:(a)InternationalStandardsISO14064-2andISO14064-3,whichprovideabroadframeworkandrequirements;(b)VerificationStandard(thisdocument),whichprovidesspecificrequirementsoftheGCCProgram,forverifyingaProjectActivityonvariousaspectsincludingemissionreductions,sustainabilityandenvironmentalandsocialdo-no-harmcriteria;and(c)Thefollowingspecificdocuments:(i)ProgramFrameworkandProgramManual,whichprovidesabroadoverviewofoverallGCCProgramandtheroleofverification;(ii)ProcedureforApprovalofGCCVerifiers,whichprovidesrequirementsforselectingtheverificationteam;(iii)ProjectStandard,whichprovidesthespecificrequirementsapplicabletoProjectActivitiesascontainedintheprojectdocumentationpackage,includingtheProjectSubmissionFormandtheProjectMonitoringReportForm;(iv)ApplicableGCC/CDMmethodologiesandtools;and(v)ProgramProcess,whichprovidesabroadoverviewoftheoverallprocessofverification,registrationandissuance.5GCCrulesmeanstherulesandrequirementssetoutbytheGCCProgramrelatedtoGHGemissionreductions,SDGcontributions,do-no-net-harmonEnvironmentandSocietyandtheircertificationbasedonGCCProgramdocumentsincludingISO14064-2,ISO14064-3,theProgramFramework,ProgramManual,applicablemethodologiesandtoolsandtheotherdocumentsmentionedinProgramFrameworkandavailableontheGCCpublicwebsite(https://www.globalcarboncouncil.com/resource-centre.html).GlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard8of223.1.2VerificationApproach14.GCCVerifiersshallselectacompetentteamtoperformProjectorEmissionReductionverificationsforGCCProjectActivitiesasrequiredintheProcedureforApprovalofGCCVerifiers.15.Incarryingoutverifications,GCCVerifiersshall:(a)FollowthisVerificationStandardandintegrateitsprovisionsintotheGCCVerifier’sownqualitymanagementsystems;(b)ApplythemostrecentapplicableGCCrulesanddecisionsasofthereferencedatestipulatedbytheProjectStandard;(c)DeterminewhetherornoteachGCCProjectActivitymeetsallapplicableGCCrulesandrequirements,includingthosespecifiedintheProjectStandard,appliedmethodologies/methodologicaltoolsandanyotherrequirements;(d)Assesstheaccuracy,conservativeness,relevance,completeness,consistencyandtransparencyoftheinformationprovidedbytheProjectOwner(s)intheprojectdocuments(e.g.,PSF,PMR,etc.)andasrequiredbytheProjectStandard;(e)DeterminewhetherinformationprovidedbytheProjectOwner(s)isreliableandcredible;(f)Applyconsistentverificationcriteria:(i)Totherequirementsoftheselectedmethodologiesandotherappliedmethodologicaltoolsthroughoutthecreditingperiod(s);(ii)ToGCCProjectActivitieswithsimilarcharacteristics,suchasasimilarapplicationoftheselectedmethodologiesandotherappliedmethodologicaltools,useoftechnology,timeperiodorregion;(iii)Toexpertjudgements,overtimeandamongGCCProjectActivities;(g)BasetheirfindingsandconclusionsonobjectiveevidenceandconductallverificationactivitiesinaccordancewithGCCrulesandprocedures;(h)Notomitevidencethatislikelytoaltertheverificationopinion;(i)Presentinformationintheverificationandcertificationreportinafactual,neutralandcoherentmanneranddocumentallassumptions,providereferencestobackgroundmaterial,andidentifychangesmadetothedocumentation;and(j)Safeguardtheconfidentialityofallinformationobtainedorcreatedduringtheverification.3.1.3CompliancewithGCCRules16.Incarryingoutverificationwork,GCCVerifiersshalluseanddeterminecompliancewiththevalidversionofapplicableGCCrules.6includingthestandards,methodologies,methodologicaltools,guidelinesandotherregulatorydocumentsapprovedandrequiredbytheGCCProgram,onthereferencedatestipulatedbytheProjectStandard.6Seefootnote5GlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard9of223.1.4UseofapplicableFormsandTemplates17.GCCVerifierscontractedtoconductprojectverificationforregistrationofaproposedGCCProjectActivityshallprepareaProjectVerificationReport(PVR)usingthevalidversionoftherelevantPVRform/template,onthereferencedatestipulatedbytheProjectStandard.18.GCCVerifierscontractedtoconductex-postemission-reductionverificationsforspecifiedmonitoredperiodsofregisteredGCCProjectsshallprepareanEmissionReductionVerificationReport(ERVR)usingthevalidversionoftherelevantERVRform/template,onthereferencedatestipulatedbytheProjectStandard.19.Whencompletingverificationreportforms,GCCVerifiersshallfollowtheinstructionstherein.3.1.5UseofapplicableGlobalWarmingPotentials20.GCCVerifiersshalldeterminewhetherglobalwarmingpotentials(GWPs)werecorrectlyappliedinthePSFandintheProjectMonitoringReport(PMR),inaccordancewiththerelevantrequirementsintheProjectStandard.3.2GCCVerificationPriortoRegistration3.2.1ProjectVerification21.ProjectVerificationsshallbeconductedpriortoProjectRegistration,withtheaimofprovidinganindependentevaluationofproposedGCCProjectActivitiesagainsttherequirementsoftheGCCrulesandonthebasisoftheinformationprovidedintheProjectSubmissionForm(PSF)andothersubmitteddocuments.22.GCCVerifiersshallsubmitPVRstotheGCCProgramandtoProjectOwners.AGCCVerifier’swrittenProjectVerificationconclusioniscalledaProjectVerificationOpinion.ThewrittenassurancebyaGCCVerifier,basedonaProjectVerificationOpinion,iscalledaProjectCertificationStatement.23.ProjectCertificationStatementsshallconfirmthatGCCProjectActivities:(a)ComplywithGCCrulesandrequirements;(b)AreexpectedtoachievetheestimatedrealandadditionalGHGemissionreductionsindicatedinthePSF;and(c)DependingupontheProjectOwner(s)’sselectionsinthePSF,mayalsostatethatProjectActivities:(i)Haveimplementedsafeguardsthatareexpectedtoprovideprotectionagainstnegativeenvironmental/socialimpactsandwillnotcauseanynetharmtotheenvironmentor/andsociety;and(ii)AreexpectedtocontributetotheachievementofUnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs,preferablythoseprioritizedbythehostcountry)andhavetargetedaspecificSDGcertificationlabel(Bronze,Silver,Gold,Platinum,orDiamond),ascommittedtovoluntarilyinthePSF.GlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard10of223.2.2ObjectiveofProjectVerification24.GCCVerifiersshallconductthoroughandindependentex-anteassessmentsofproposedGCCProjectActivitieswithrespecttocommitmentsandtargetsbasedonforecastedGHGemissionreductionsornetanthropogenicGHGremovals,sustainabilityandenvironmentalandsocialdo-no-net-harm,againstapplicableGCCrulesandrequirements.3.2.3VerificationApproach25.IncarryingoutProjectVerifications,GCCVerifiersshall:(a)DeterminewhetherproposedGCCProjectActivitiescomplywithISO14064-2andISO14064-3andGCCrulesandrequirements;and(b)AssesstheclaimsandassumptionsinPSFs,includingtheeligibilityoftheapplicableprojectTypes(AorB).TheevidenceusedinsuchassessmentsshallnotbelimitedtothatprovidedbytheProjectOwner(s).3.2.4VerificationusingStandardAuditingTechniques26.GCCVerifiersshallassesstheinformationprovidedbyProjectOwner(s)andcommentsprovidedbystakeholdersduringtheglobalstakeholderconsultation(GSC)process.27.Inassessingthisinformation,GCCVerifiersshallapplythemeansofverificationasspecifiedinISO14064-2andISO14064-3,thisVerificationStandardand,whereappropriate,standardauditingtechniques,including,butnotlimitedto:(a)Documentreview,involving:(i)Areviewofdataandinformation;(ii)CrosschecksbetweentheinformationprovidedinthePSFandinformationfromsourcesotherthanthoseused;ifavailable,theGCCVerifier’ssectoralorlocalexpertise;and,ifnecessary,independentbackgroundinvestigations;(b)Follow-upactions(e.g.,on-siteinspectionandtelephoneorvideo-callore-mailinterviews),including:(i)Interviewswithrelevantstakeholdersintheprojecthostcountry,suchaspersonnelwithknowledgeoftheprojectdesignandimplementation;and(ii)Crosschecksbetweeninformationprovidedbyinterviewedpersonnel(i.e.,bycheckingsourcesorotherinterviews)toensurethatnorelevantinformationhasbeenomitted;(c)ReferencetoavailableinformationrelatedtoprojectsortechnologiessimilartotheproposedGCCProjectActivityunderverification;(d)Review,basedontheselectedmethodologiesandappliedmethodologicaltools,oftheappropriatenessofformulaeandaccuracyofcalculations;(e)SamplingapproachesinaccordancewiththeCDM7Standard“SamplingandsurveysforCDMprojectactivitiesandprogrammeofactivities”;and(f)Reviewoftheclaimsregardingtheadditionalcertificationlabels(E+,S+,SDG+orCORSIAmarketeligibility).7CDMRulesandrequirements:https://cdm.unfccc.int/Reference/index.htmlGlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard11of223.2.5CriteriaforSiteVisits28.ItismandatoryforGCCVerifierstoconducton-sitevisitandinspectionsduringprojectverificationforproposedGCCProjectActivitiesif:(a)TheProjectActivity’sestimatedaverageannualGHGemissionreductionsornetanthropogenicGHGremovalsaremorethan100,000tCO2eq;or(b)Thereispre-projectinformationthatisrelevanttotheregistrationrequirementsfortheProjectActivityandthatmaynotbetraceablepostregistration.29.Forcaseswherethestipulationsinparagraph28arenotapplicable,on-sitevisit/inspectionsforprojectverificationareoptional.Ifanon-sitevisit/inspectionisnotperformed,theGCCVerifiershalldescribethealternativemeansofverificationusedandjustifythattheyaresufficientforprojectverificationpurposes.30.Wherenospecificmeansofverificationisspecifiedinthisstandard,GCCVerifiersshallapplythestandardauditingtechniquesdescribedinsection3.2.4.3.2.6Non-conformitiesandcorrectiveactionrequests31.IftheGCCVerifieridentifiesissuesthatrequirefurtherelaboration,researchorexpansioninordertodeterminewhethertheProjectActivitymeetsGCCrulesandrequirementsandcanachievecredibleGHGemissionreductionsornetanthropogenicGHGremovalsand/oradditionalcertificationlabels(E+,S+,SDG+orCORSIAmarketeligibility),theGCCVerifiershallensurethattheseissuesareaccuratelyidentified,formulated,discussedandconcludedinthePVR.32.TheGCCVerifiershallraisecorrectiveactionrequest(CAR)ifanyofthefollowingsituationsoccur:(a)ThePSFcontainserrorsthatinfluencetheabilityoftheproposedGCCProjectActivitytoachievereal,measurable,verifiableandadditionalGHGemissionreductionsornetanthropogenicGHGremovals;(b)ApplicableGCCrulesandrequirementshavenotbeenmet;(c)ThereisariskthatGHGemissionreductionsornetanthropogenicGHGremovalscannotbemonitoredorcalculated;(d)ThereisariskthattheclaimsmadeinthePSFregardingcontributionstoSDGsmaynotbeachievedorcannotbedemonstrated;or(e)ThereisariskthattheclaimsmadeinthePSFregardingenvironmentalandsocialsafeguardsmaynotbeeffective,orthattheProjectActivitymayleadtonet-harmtotheenvironmentand/orsociety.33.TheGCCVerifiershallraiseaclarificationrequest(CL)ifinformationislackingorinsufficientlycleartodeterminewhethertheapplicableGCCrulesandrequirementshavebeenmet.34.TheGCCVerifiershallraiseaforwardactionrequest(FAR)toidentifyissuesrelatedtoprojectimplementationthatrequirereviewduringthefirstEmissionReductionVerificationoftheproposedGCCProjectActivity.TheGCCVerifiershallnotraiseaFARthatrelatestoGCCrulesandrequirementsforregistrationoftheProjectActivity.GlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard12of2235.TheGCCVerifiershallresolveor“closeout”CARsandCLsonlyiftheProjectOwner(s)modifiestheprojectdesign,rectifiesthePSF,and/orprovidesadditionalexplanationsorevidencethatsatisfytheGCCVerifier’sconcerns.Ifthisisnotdone,theGCCVerifiershallnotfinalizeandsubmitaPVRfortheproposedGCCProjectActivity.36.TheGCCVerifiershallreportonallCARs,CLsandFARsinitsPVR.Thisreportingshallexplaintheissuesraised,theresponsesprovidedbytheProjectOwner(s),themeansofverificationofsuchresponsesandreferencestoanyresultingchangesinthePSForsupportingannexes.3.3GCCVerificationPriortoIssuance3.3.1EmissionReductionVerification37.EmissionReductionVerificationsareconductedbyGCCVerifierspriortoGCCACCIssuanceandaimtoprovideperiodicindependentevaluationandex-postdeterminationofmonitoredandreportedGHGemissionreductionsthathaveoccurredasaresultofimplementingtheregisteredGCCProjectActivityduringthespecifiedmonitoringperiod.ReportedGHGemissionreductionsarecheckedagainsttherequirementsintheGCCrulesandrequirementsandtheinformationprovidedintheregisteredprojectdocuments,includingtheProjectSubmissionForm,ProjectMonitoringReportForm,andothersubmitteddocuments.38.GCCVerifiersshallsubmitERVRstotheGCCProgramandtoProjectOwners.AGCCVerifier’swrittenconclusionregardingitsEmissionReductionVerificationofaregisteredGCCProjectActivityiscalledanEmissionReductionVerificationOpinion.ThewrittenassuranceofemissionreductionsbyaGCCVerifieriscalledanEmissionReductionCertificationStatement.39.EmissionReductionCertificationStatementsshallconfirmthattheregisteredGCCProjectActivity,duringaspecifiedmonitoringperiod:(a)HascompliedwithGCCrulesandprocedures;(b)HasbeenimplementedasreportedintheregisteredPSF;(c)HasachievedthequantityofreportedGHGemissionreductionsasverified;and(d)DependingupontheProjectOwner(s)’sselectionsinthePSF,mayalsostatethattheProjectActivity:(i)Hasimplementedsafeguardsthathaveprovidedprotectionagainstnegativeenvironmental/socialimpactsandtheProjectActivitydoesnotcauseanynetharmtotheenvironmentorsociety;and(ii)HascontributedtotheachievementoftheUnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)voluntarilycommittedtoandtargetedforaselectedcertificationlabel(Bronze,Silver,Gold,Platinum,orDiamond),asdefinedintheregisteredPSF.GlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard13of223.3.2ObjectiveofEmissionReductionVerification40.GCCVerifiersshallconductthoroughandindependentex-postassessmentsoftheimplementationofProjectActivities,reportedGHGemissionreductionsornetanthropogenicGHGremovals,sustainabledevelopmentcontributionsachievedandenvironmentalandsocialdo-no-harmperformancebyregisteredGCCProjectActivities,againstapplicableGCCrulesandrequirements.3.3.3VerificationApproach41.IncarryingoutEmissionReductionVerifications,GCCVerifiersshall:(a)DeterminewhetherregisteredGCCProjectActivitiescomplywithGCCrulesandrequirements;(b)NotperformemissionreductionverificationsforregisteredGCCProjectActivitiesforwhichtheyhaveperformedaProjectVerificationorCDMvalidation(priortoCDMregistrationfortypeBprojects);(c)EnsurethatemissionreductionverificationactivitiesstartafterthepublicationoftheProjectMonitoringReportontheGCC/IHSMarkitwebsite;(d)AssessbothquantitativeandqualitativeinformationonGHGemissionreductionsornetanthropogenicGHGremovalsprovidedintheprojectdocumentation;(e)AssessanddeterminewhethertheimplementationandoperationofregisteredGCCProjectActivities,andthestepstakentoreportGHGemissionreductionsornetanthropogenicGHGremovals,complywithGCCrulesandrequirements;(f)AssesswhetherdatacollectionsystemsusedmeetthemonitoringplanrequirementsprovidedintheregisteredPSFandindicatedinappliedmethodologiesandtools;(g)Inadditiontothemonitoringdocumentation,theGCCVerifiershallreview:(i)TheregisteredPSF,includingthemonitoringplan;(ii)TheProjectVerificationReport;(iii)PreviousEmissionReductionVerificationReports,ifany;(iv)Theappliedmethodology(ies)andtheotherappliedmethodologicaltools;(v)Anyotherdata,informationandreferencesrelevanttotheGHGemissionreductionsornetanthropogenicGHGremovalsresultingfromtheregisteredGCCProjectActivity(e.g.,IPCCreports,dataonelectricitygenerationinthenationalgrid,laboratoryanalyses,calibrationreports,andnationalregulations).42.Inadditiontoreviewingthemonitoringdocumentation,theGCCVerifiershalldeterminewhetherornottheProjectOwner(s)hasaddressedallFARsidentifiedinthePVRorinpreviousERVRsorCDMVerificationReports(fortypeBprojects).3.3.4QualityofEvidence43.WhenverifyingreportedGHGemissionreductionsornetanthropogenicGHGremovals,GCCVerifiersshallconfirmthatthereisanaudittrailthatcontainsevidenceandrecordsthatvalidateorinvalidatestatedfigures.TheaudittrailshallincludethesourcedocumentsthatformthebasisforassumptionsandotherinformationunderlyingtheGHGdata.GlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard14of2244.Whenassessingtheaudittrail,theGCCVerifiershall:(a)Addresswhethersufficientevidenceisavailable,bothintermsofreportingfrequency(timeperiodbetweenevidence)andcoverage(thefullmonitoringperiod);(b)Addressthesourceandnatureoftheevidence(externalorinternal,oralordocumented);(c)Cross-checktheProjectMonitoringReport(PMR)againstothersources(suchascomparableinformation,whereavailable,fromsourcesotherthanthoseusedinthePMR)todeterminewhetherthestatedfiguresarecorrect.45.GCCVerifiersshallonlycertifyGHGemissionreductionsornetanthropogenicGHGremovalsthatarebasedonverifiableevidence.3.3.5ApplicationofMateriality46.Materiality,asdefinedinISO14064-3,shallbeappliedinthecontextoftheGCCProgram.ThematerialitythresholdsstipulatedfortheCDMshallbeapplicable.3.3.6VerificationusingStandardAuditingTechniques47.GCCVerifiersshallassessinformationprovidedbyProjectOwner(s).48.Inassessingtheinformation,GCCVerifiersshallapplythemeansofverificationasspecifiedinISO14064-2andISO14064-3,thisVerificationStandardand,whereappropriate,standardauditingtechniques,including,butnotlimitedto:(a)Documentreview,involving:(i)Areviewofdataandinformation;(ii)AreviewoftheregisteredPSF,itsmonitoringplan,andtheappliedmethodology(ies)andtools,payingparticularattentiontothefrequencyofmeasurements,thequalityofmeteringequipmentincludingcalibrationrequirements,andqualityassuranceandqualitycontrolprocedures;(iii)Anevaluationofdatamanagement,qualityassuranceproceduresandthequalitycontrolsysteminthecontextoftheirinfluenceonthecalculationandreportingofGHGemissionreductionsornetanthropogenicGHGremovals;(iv)Crosschecksbetweentheinformationprovidedinthedocumentationandinformationfromsourcesotherthanthoseused;ifavailable,theGCCVerifier’ssectoralorlocalexpertise;and,ifnecessary,independentbackgroundinvestigations;(b)On-sitevisitandinspectiontakingintoaccountparagraphs49,involving:(i)AnassessmentoftheimplementationandoperationoftheregisteredGCCProjectActivityaspertheregisteredPSF;(ii)Areviewofinformationflowsforgenerating,aggregatingandreportingmonitoredparameters;(iii)Interviewswithrelevantpersonneltodeterminewhethertheoperationalanddata-collectionprocedureshavebeenimplementedinaccordancewiththeregisteredPSFanditsmonitoringplan;(iv)CrosschecksbetweeninformationprovidedinthePMRanddatafromothersources,suchasplantlogbooks,inventories,purchaserecordsorsimilardatasources;GlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard15of22(v)AcheckofthemonitoringequipmentincludingcalibrationperformanceandobservationsofmonitoringpracticesagainsttherequirementsofthePSF,theappliedmethodology(ies)andotherappliedtools;(vi)AreviewofcalculationsandassumptionsmadeindeterminingtheGHGdataandGHGemissionreductionsornetanthropogenicGHGremovals;(vii)Anidentificationofqualitycontrolandqualityassuranceproceduresinplacetoprevent,oridentifyandcorrect,anyerrorsoromissionsinthereportedmonitoringparameters;(viii)SamplingapproachesinaccordancewiththeCDMStandard“SamplingandsurveysforCDMprojectactivitiesandprogrammeofactivities8”;and(ix)Reviewoftheclaimsregardingtheadditionalcertificationlabels(E+,S+,SDG+orCORSIAmarketeligibility).3.3.7CriteriaforSiteVisits49.ItismandatoryforGCCVerifierstoconducton-sitevisitandinspectionsduringemissionreductionverificationforregisteredGCCProjectActivitiesif:(a)ItisthefirstemissionreductionverificationperformedbytheGCCVerifierforthespecificProjectActivity;or(b)Morethanthreeyearshaveelapsedsincethelaston-sitevisit/inspectionconductedforemissionreductionverificationfortheProjectActivity;or(c)TheProjectActivityhasachievedmorethan300,000tCO2eqofGHGemissionreductionsornetanthropogenicGHGremovalssincethelastemissionreductionverificationwhenanon-sitevisit/inspectionwasconducted.50.Foron-sitevisitinspections,GCCVerifiersmayapplysamplingapproachesinaccordancewiththeCDMStandard:SamplingandsurveysforCDMprojectactivitiesandprogrammeofactivities.”51.Forcaseswherethestipulationsinparagraph49arenotapplicable,on-sitevisitinspectionsforemissionreductionverificationareoptional.Ifanon-siteinspectionisnotperformed,theGCCVerifiershalldescribethealternativemeansofverificationusedandjustifythattheyaresufficientfortheemissionreductionverificationpurposes.52.Ifanyissuerelatedtotheprojectdesign,includingthoseattributabletothelackofon-sitevisitsinspectionduringapreviousverification,isidentifiedduringanemissionreductionverification,theGCCVerifierthatdetectedtheissueshallrectifyitduringtheemissionreductionverificationandnotifyGCC.53.Wherenospecificmeansofverificationisspecifiedinthisstandard,GCCVerifiersshallapplythestandardauditingtechniquesdescribedinsection3.3.6.8Referfootnote7GlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard16of223.3.8Non-conformitiesandcorrectiveactionrequests54.IftheGCCVerifieridentifiesissuesrelatedtothemonitoring,implementationand/oroperationsoftheregisteredGCCProjectActivitythatmayhaveimpairedthecapacityoftheProjectActivitytoachieveGHGemissionreductionsornetanthropogenicGHGremovals,orinfluencedthemonitoringandreportingofemissionreductionsorremovalsand/oradditionalcertificationlabels(E+,S+,SDG+orCORSIAmarketeligibility),theGCCVerifiershallensurethattheseissuesareaccuratelyidentified,formulated,discussedandconcludedintheERVR.55.TheGCCVerifiershallraiseacorrectiveactionrequest(CAR)ifanyofthefollowingsituationsoccur:(a)Non-compliancewiththeregisteredPSF,itsmonitoringplan,theappliedmethodology(ies)and/ortoolsisdiscoveredwhenreviewingtheMonitoringReport,reportinghasnotbeensufficientlydocumentedbytheProjectOwner(s),and/ortheevidenceprovidedtodemonstrateconformityisinsufficient;(b)Modificationstotheimplementation,operationand/ormonitoringoftheregisteredGCCProjectActivityhavenotbeensufficientlydocumentedbytheProjectOwner(s);(c)TheProjectMonitoringReportordocumentationcontainserrorsinappliedassumptions,dataorcalculationsofGHGemissionreductionsornetanthropogenicGHGremovalsthatinfluencethequantityofemissionreductionsorremovalsreported;(d)Anissue(s)identifiedinaFARduringProjectVerificationtobeverifiedduringtheEmissionReductionVerificationorapreviousEmissionReductionVerification(s),hasnotbeenresolvedbytheProjectOwner(s);(e)ClaimsmadeinthePSFandPMRregardingSDGcontributionshavenotbeenachievedorhasnotbeendemonstrated;and(f)ClaimsmadeinthePSFandPMRregardingenvironmentalandsocialsafeguardshavenotbeenachievedoreffectiveortheProjectActivitymayleadtonet-harmtotheenvironmentandsociety.56.TheGCCVerifiershallraiseaclarificationrequest(CL)ifinformationislackingorinsufficientlycleartodeterminewhethertheapplicableGCCrulesandrequirementshavebeenmet.57.TheGCCVerifiershallraiseaforwardactionrequest(FAR)duringEmissionReductionVerificationifmonitoringand/orreportingrequiresattentionand/oradjustmentforthenextverificationperiod.58.TheGCCVerifiershallresolveorcloseCARsandCLsonlyiftheProjectOwner(s)rectifiesthePMRand/orprovidesadditionalexplanationsorevidencethatsatisfytheGCCVerifier’sconcerns.Ifthisisnotdone,theGCCVerifiershallnotfinalizeandsubmitanERVRforthespecifiedmonitoringperiodoftheregisteredGCCProjectActivity.59.TheGCCVerifiershallreportonallCARs,CLsandFARsinitsERVR.Thisreportingshallexplaintheissuesraised,theresponsesprovidedbytheProjectOwner(s),themeansofverificationofsuchresponsesandreferencestoanyresultingchangesinthePMRorsupportingannexes.GlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard17of224SpecificVerificationRequirements60.GCCVerifiersforapprovedGCCScopesandGHGSectoralscopesshallconductthird-partyindependentverificationsofGCCProjectActivitiesaspertheVerificationStandard,toassesshowProjectActivitiescomplywithapplicableGCCrulesandrequirements.4.1GHGVerificationRequirements61.TheProjectStandardprovidesspecificrequirementsonGHGapplicabletoprojectsthatintendtodevelopprojectdocumentation,includingProjectSubmissionFormsandProjectMonitoringReports.62.GCCVerifiersshallconductthird-partyindependentverificationsoftheGHGreducingcomponentoftheGCCProjectActivitiesaspertherequirementsintheProjectStandard.4.2SustainabilityVerificationRequirements63.InadditiontoreducingGHGs,theGCCProgramalsoprovidesanopportunityforProjectOwnerstovoluntarilychoosetodemonstratethattheirProjectActivitycontributestoachievingtheUnitedNationsSustainabilityDevelopmentGoals(SDGs).64.TheProjectSustainabilityStandardprovidestherequirementsforthird-partyindependentverificationandcertificationofclaimsthatGCCProjectActivitiescontributetoachievingtheSDGs.4.3EnvironmentandSocialSafeguardsVerificationRequirements65.TheGCCProgramalsoprovidesanopportunityforProjectOwnerstovoluntarilychoosetodemonstratethattheirProjectActivitydoesnotcauseanynetharmtotheenvironmentand/orsociety.66.TheEnvironmentalandSocialSafeguardsStandardprovidestherequirementsforthird-partyindependentverificationandcertificationofclaimsthatGCCProjectActivitiesdonotcauseanynetharmtotheenvironmentand/orsociety.5VerificationandCertificationStatement67.GCCVerifiersshallprovideverificationandcertificationstatementsintheirVerificationReports.5.1ProjectVerification&CertificationStatement68.TheGCCProjectVerifier[NameoftheGCCVerifier],shallverifyandcertifythattheGCCProjectActivity[TitleoftheGCCProjectActivity]:(a)hascorrectlydescribedtheProjectActivityintheProjectSubmissionForm(versionXX,datedDDMMYYYY)includingtheapplicabilityoftheapprovedmethodology[referencenumberofGCC/CDMmethodology,versionXX]andmeetsthemethodologyapplicabilityconditions,isadditionalandisexpectedtoachievetheforecastedrealandadditionalGHGemissionreductions,complieswiththemonitoringmethodology,hasappropriatelyconductedlocalandglobalstakeholderconsultationprocessesandhascalculatedemissionreductionestimatescorrectlyandconservatively;GlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard18of22(b)islikelytogenerateGHGemissionreductionsamountingtotheestimated[XXXXX]tCO2eq,asindicatedinthePSF,whichareadditionaltothereductionsthatarelikelytooccurinabsenceoftheProjectActivityandcomplieswithallapplicableGCCrules,includingISO14064-2andISO14064-3,andthereforerequeststheGCCProgramtoregistertheProjectActivity;(c)isnotlikelytocauseanynet-harmtotheenvironmentand/orsocietyandcomplieswiththeEnvironmentalandSocialSafeguardsStandard,andthereforerequeststheGCCProgramtoregistertheProjectActivity,whichislikelytoachievetherequirementsoftheEnvironmentalNo-net-harmLabel(E+)andtheSocialNo-net-harmLabel(S+);and(d)islikelytocontributetotheachievementofUnitedNationsSustainabilityDevelopmentGoals(SDGs),complywiththeProjectSustainabilityStandard,andcontributetoachievingatotalof[XX]SDGs,whichislikelytoachievethe[XXXX]9SDGcertificationlabel(SDG+).5.2EmissionReductionVerification&Certificationstatement69.TheGCCEmissionReductionVerifier[NameoftheGCCVerifier]shallverifyandcertifythattheregisteredGCCProjectActivity[TitleoftheGCCProjectActivity],withregistrationnumber[RXXXX],forthechosenmonitoringperiodfrom[DDMMYYYY]to[DDMMYYYY]:(a)hasbeenimplementedasindicatedintheregisteredProjectSubmissionForm(versionXX,datedDDMMYYYY)andasreportedintheProjectMonitoringReport(versionXX,datedDDMMYYYY);(b)hasresultedinGHGemissionreductionstotaling[XXXX]tCO2eq,whichareadditionaltothereductionsthatwouldhaveoccurredinabsenceoftheProjectActivityandisincompliancewithallapplicableGCCrulesandrequirements,includingISO14064-2andISO14064-3,andthereforerequeststheGCCProgramtoissue[XXXX]ApprovedCarbonCredits(ACCs);(c)hasnotcausedanynetharmtotheenvironmentand/orsocietyandisincompliancewiththeEnvironmentalandSocialSafeguardsStandard,andthereforerequeststheGCCProgramtoissuetheEnvironmentalNo-net-harmLabel(E+)andtheSocialNo-net-harmLabel(S+);and(d)hasmadecontributionstoachievingatotalof[XX]oftheUnitedNationsSustainabilityDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)andisincompliancewiththeProjectSustainabilityStandard,andthereforerequeststheGCCProgramtoissueaUnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoal[XXXX10]label(SDG+).9SDGCertificationlabels:Bronze(level1):contributesto2outof17SDGs;Silver(level2):contributesto3outof17SDGs;Gold(level3):contributesto4outof17SDGs;Platinum(level4):contributesto5outof17SDGs;andDiamond(level5):contributestomorethan5SDGs.10Referfootnote9GlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard19of22Appendix1:MappingGCCverificationrequirementsGCCRulesandrequirementsforProject&EmissionReductionVerificationVerificationofGreenhouseGasEmissionReductionsClauseNo.ISO14064-3:2006requirementVerificationStandard(V3),ParagraphNo.Remarks/otherrequirements1Scope13TherequirementsintheGCCrulesareadditionaltoISOrequirementsandtakeprecedence2Termsanddefinitions5RefertoProgramDefinitions3Principles-3.1General-3.2Independence-3.3Ethicalconduct-3.4Fairpresentation-3.5Dueprofessionalcare-4Validationandverificationrequirements1-4,6-74.1Validatorsorverifiers11,14,16,RefertoapprovedscopesintheGCCCertificateavailableontheGCCwebsite.4.2Validationandverificationprocess3,8-10,21-23,37-39,60RefertotheGCCProgramProcess4.3Levelofassurance,objectives,criteriaandscopeofthevalidationorverification12,13,24,40,46Scope,Materiality,registeredPSFandMR4.4Validationorverificationapproach15,25-36,41-42,47-59Verificationapproach,includingdocumentreviews,site-visits,andCAR/CL/FAR.4.5AssessmentoftheGHGinformationsystemanditscontrols15,41,48RefertotheProjectStandard4.6AssessmentofGHGdataandinformation43-45RefertotheProjectStandard4.7Assessmentagainstvalidationorverificationcriteria61-62RefertotheProjectStandardGlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard20of224.8EvaluationoftheGHGassertion20,27,48RefertotheProjectStandard4.9Validationandverificationstatement17-19,67-694.10Validationorverificationrecords15(h,i),43(e,f,g)4.11Factsdiscoveredafterthevalidationorverification-RefertotheProcedureforApprovalofGCCVerifiersandthesignedVerifierAgreementAnnexAGuidanceontheuseofthispartofISO14064(informative)-VerificationofNo-net-harmtoEnvironment&SocietyRequirementsfor--65-66RefertotheEnvironmentalandSocialSafeguardsStandardVerificationofcontributiontoUNSDGs--63-64RefertotheProjectSustainabilityStandardGlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard21of2211SeeICAOrecommendationforconditionalapprovalofGCCathttps://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/CORSIA/Documents/TAB/Excerpt_TAB_Report_Jan_2020_final.pdfVersionDateCommentV3.131/12/2020▪ThenameofGCCProgram’semissionunitshasbeenchangedfrom“ApprovedCarbonReductions”orACRsto“ApprovedCarbonCredits”orACCs.V3.028/07/2020▪RevisedversionreleasedonapprovalbytheSteeringCommitteeaspertheGCCProgramProcess;▪Revisedversioncontainsfollowingchanges:oChangeofnamefromGlobalCarbonTrust(GCT)toGlobalCarbonCouncil(GCC);oConsideredandaddressedcommentsraisedbytheSteeringCommittee:➢duringphysicalmeeting(SCM01,dated29Oct2019,DohaQatar);and➢electronicconsultationsEC01-Round01(15.09.2019–25.09.2019),EC01-Round02(27.03.2020–27.06.2020).▪FeedbackfromTechnicalAdvisoryBoard(TAB)ofICAOonGCCsubmissionforapprovalunderCORSIA11;V2.025/06/2019▪RevisedversionreleasedforapprovalbytheGCCSteeringCommittee.▪Thisversioncontainsdetailsandinformationtobeprovided,consequenttothelatestdevelopmentsworld-wide(e.g.,CORSIA,EUC).v1.001/11/2016▪InitialversionreleasedforapprovalbytheGCTSteeringCommitteeunderGCTProgramVersion1DocumentHistoryGlobalCarbonCouncilVerificationStandard22of22
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