VCS Validation Report Template v4.3
VCS Validation Report Template v4.3
This template is for the validation of projects under the VCS Program.
FILE NAME: Use the following format for the file name of the completed document:
VCS ValR Project ID DDMMMYYYY
‘DDMMMYYYY’ should be the original date of issue as reported on the title page. If revised documents are
submitted, add ‘_round#_track’ or ‘_round#_clean’ to indicate the review round (1-3) and if it is the clean or
track changes version of the document, and update the date to the most recent date of issue.
TITLE PAGE FORMATTING: This document may feature the validation report title and the preparer’s
logo using size 24, regular (non-italic) Century Gothic font. Fill in and complete each row of the table using
size 10.5, black, regular (non-italic) Arial or Franklin Gothic Book font.
GENERAL FORMATTING: Complete all sections using size 10.5, black, regular (non-italic) Arial or
Franklin Gothic Book font.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: Specific instructions for completing each section of the validation report
template are located under the section headings in this template. Instructions relate back to the rules and
requirements set out in the VCS Standard and accompanying VCS Program documents. The preparer will
need to refer to these documents to complete the template.
Note: The instructions in this template are to serve as a guide and do not necessarily represent an exhaustive
list of the information the preparer must provide under each section of the template.
Where a section is not applicable, explain why the section is not applicable (i.e., do not delete the section
from the final document and do not only write “not applicable”).
Delete all instructions, including this introductory text, from the final document.
VCS Validation Report Template, v4.3
Original date of issue DD-Month-YYYY is the date the audit was completed
Most recent date of DD-Month-YYYY is the date on which the document was most recently submitted
issue
VCS Standard Version Version number of the VCS Standard used by the project
Approved by Individual at the validation/verification body who approved this validation report
Summary:
CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................5
1.1 Objective............................................................................................................................................5
1.2 Scope and Criteria..............................................................................................................................5
1.3 Reasonableness of Assumptions........................................................................................................5
1.4 Summary Description of the Project..................................................................................................5
2 VALIDATION PROCESS.................................................................................................5
2.1 Method and Criteria...........................................................................................................................5
2.2 Document Review..............................................................................................................................5
2.3 Interviews...........................................................................................................................................5
2.4 Site Visits...........................................................................................................................................6
2.5 Resolution of Findings.......................................................................................................................6
3 VALIDATION FINDINGS................................................................................................6
3.1 Project Details....................................................................................................................................6
3.2 Safeguards and Stakeholder Engagement........................................................................................10
3.3 Application of Methodology............................................................................................................16
3.4 Non-Permanence Risk Analysis.......................................................................................................21
4 VALIDATION OPINION................................................................................................21
4.1 Validation Summary.........................................................................................................................21
4.2 Validation Conclusion......................................................................................................................21
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Objective
Explain the purpose of the validation.
2 VALIDATION PROCESS
2.1 Method and Criteria
Describe the method and criteria, including the evidence-gathering plan, used for undertaking the
validation. Where evidence-gathering plans are used as a part of the validation, include a
description of the evidence-gathering approach, important assumptions, and justification of the
chosen approach.
Describe the validation schedule, including key milestones (e.g., kick-off meeting, desk review, site
visit) and corresponding dates.
2.3 Interviews
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Describe the interview process and identify personnel, including their roles, who were interviewed
and/or provided information additional to that provided in the project description and any
supporting documents.
State the total number of corrective action requests, clarification requests, forward action requests,
and other findings raised during the validation.
Provide a summary of each finding, including the issue raised, the response(s) provided by the
project proponent, and the final conclusions and any resulting changes to project documents.
Unless this fits on one page, put all findings in an appendix.
Provide details of any forward action requests raised during the validation, for the benefit of
subsequent project audits.
3 VALIDATION FINDINGS
3.1 Project Details
Provide an overall conclusion regarding whether the project description is accurate, complete, and
provides with reader with an understanding of the nature of the project.
Then, in the table below, describe i) the evidence gathering activities for each item, ii) the evidence
checked, and iii) the conclusion of the assessment of the project’s conformance with the relevant
VCS Program requirements. Some additional but not comprehensive guidance is provided.
Audit history
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Sectoral scope
requirements, if applicable.
Project ownership
Project scale
Likelihood of achieving
estimated GHG emission
reduction or removals
Project location
Sustainable development
contributions
In the table below, describe i) the evidence gathering activities for each item, ii) the evidence
checked, and iii) the conclusion of the assessment of the project’s conformance with the relevant
VCS Program requirements. Where the rows do not apply, provide justification in the conclusion
column.
Stakeholder
identification
Legal or customary
tenure/access rights
Stakeholder diversity
and changes over time
Expected changes in
well-being
Location of
stakeholders
Location of resources
In the table below, describe i) the evidence gathering activities for each item, ii) the evidence
checked, and iii) the conclusion of the assessment of the project’s conformance with the relevant
VCS Program requirements.
Stakeholder
engagement process
Consultation outcome
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Ongoing
communication
Stakeholder input
In the table below, describe i) the evidence gathering activities for each item, ii) the evidence
checked, and iii) the conclusion of the assessment of the project’s conformance with FPIC method
requirements.
Obtaining consent
Outcome of FPIC
discussion
In the table below, describe i) the evidence gathering activities for each item, ii) the evidence
checked, and iii) the conclusion of the assessment on the appropriateness of the project’s procedure
and the accessibility of the procedure as conforming with the requirements.
Development process
Grievance redress
procedure
Summarize any public comments submitted during the public comment period and any comments
received after the public comment period. Assess whether the project proponent has taken due
account of any comments and provide a conclusion on the assessment regarding public comments.
Include the project proponent’s response to each comment, describe any resultant changes to the
project design and provide an explanation of how the project proponent’s responses are
appropriate.
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… ….
In the table below, describe i) the evidence gathering activities, ii) the evidence checked, and iii) the
conclusion on the assessment of work labor and working conditions associated with the project, and
mitigation measures implemented to prevent such risks.
Discrimination
and sexual
harassment
Management
experience
Gender equity
in labor and
work
Human
trafficking,
forced labor,
and child labor
In the table below, describe i) the evidence gathering activities, ii) the evidence checked, and iii)
provide a conclusion on the assessment of how the project respects and promotes the project of
rights of IPs, LCs, and customary rights holders in line with applicable international human rights
law, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and ILO Convention
169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples.
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Human rights
In the table below, describe i) the evidence gathering activities, ii) the evidence checked, and iii)
provide a conclusion on the assessment of how the project preserves and protects cultural heritage
as part of project activities.
Preservation and
protection of
cultural heritage
In the table below, describe i) the evidence gathering activities, ii) the evidence checked, and iii)
provide a conclusion on the assessment of property rights of IPs, LCs, and customary rights holders
identified by the project proponent, and the respect of such rights.
Rights to
territories and
resources
Respect for
property rights
Where the project has implemented a benefit sharing mechanism, use the table below to describe i)
the evidence gathering activities, ii) the evidence checked, and iii) provide a conclusion on the
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assessment of the process used to design the plan, the summary of the plan, and the demonstration
of approval and dissemination.
Process used to
design the
benefit sharing
plan
Summary of the
benefit sharing
plan
Approval and
dissemination of
benefit sharing
plan
In the table below, describe i) the evidence gathering activities, ii) the evidence checked, and iii)
provide a conclusion on the assessment of project’s risk assessment and mitigation measures,
including where no risk has been identified by the project proponent. Where no risk has been
identified by the project proponent, provide a conclusion on the assessment confirming no risk has
been identified.
Risks to
stakeholder
participation
Working
conditions
Safety of women
and girls
Safety of
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minority and
marginalized
groups, including
children
Pollutants (air,
noise, discharges
to water,
generation of
waste, release of
hazardous
materials)
In the table below, describe i) the evidence gathering activities, ii) the evidence checked, and iii)
provide a conclusion on the assessment of project’s risk assessment and mitigation measures.
Impacts on
biodiversity and
ecosystems
Soil degradation
and soil erosion
Water
consumption and
stress
Usage of
fertilizers
In the table below, describe i) the evidence gathering activities, ii) the evidence checked, and iii)
provide a conclusion on the assessment of the project’s mitigation measures implemented to prevent
negative impacts on rare, threatened, or endangered species. If the project is not located in or
adjacent to a habitat of such species, provide the assessment method used and overall conclusion in
the table.
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Species and habitat Demonstrate that the project will not adversely impact habitats for rare,
threatened, or endangered species.
… …
In the table below, describe i) the evidence gathering activities, ii) the evidence checked, and iii)
provide a conclusion on the assessment of the species used in the project to demonstrate that no
invasives were used, existing invasives will not thrive in the project scenario, and the justification of
the usage of non-natives is appropriate.
Existing invasive species Evidence gathering activities, evidence checked, and assessment
conclusion
In the table below, describe i) the evidence gathering activities, ii) the evidence checked, and iii)
provide a conclusion on the assessment of the evidence provided by the project proponent that the
ARR, ALM, WRC, or ACoGS project to demonstrate no land was cleared or drained of existing
natural ecosystems.
Provide the title and reference of the applied methodology and any tools. Note that the methodology
and tools, and the specific versions of them applied by the project, must be valid at the time of
validation.
3.3.2 Applicability
For each of the applied methodology’s applicability conditions, describe the steps taken to assess
conformance of the project with the applicability condition. Provide a conclusion with respect to
each applicability condition.
Similarly, where the applied methodology provides the project with a number of tools or modules to
choose from, describe the steps taken to assess that the appropriate tool or module has been
selected. Provide a conclusion with respect to each selected tool or module.
Identify the project boundary and describe the steps taken to validate it. Include details of
documentation assessed (e.g., commissioning reports) and observations made during the site visit.
For each GHG source, sink and reservoir, describe the steps taken in the table below to assess that
it has been selected correctly in accordance with the applied methodology. Describe the steps taken
to assess whether any relevant sources, sinks and reservoirs have not been selected.
Provide an overall conclusion regarding whether the project boundary and selected sources, sinks
and reservoirs are justified for the project.
CO2
Baseline
Source 1 CH4
N2O
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Other
CO2
CH4
Source 2
N2O
Other
CO2
CH4
Source 1
N2O
Other
Project
CO2
CH4
Source 2
N2O
Other
Identify the baseline scenario determined for the project and describe the steps taken to validate it,
including (as applicable) whether:
Assumptions and data used in the identification of the baseline scenario are justified
appropriately, supported by evidence and can be deemed reasonable.
Documentary evidence used in determining the baseline scenario is relevant, and correctly
quoted and interpreted in the project description.
Relevant national and/or sectoral policies and circumstances have been considered and are
listed in the project description.
The procedures for identifying the baseline scenario have been correctly followed and the
identified scenario reasonably represents what would have occurred in the absence of the
project.
Provide details (including sources of information) of steps taken to cross-check data used in
identification of the baseline scenario.
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Provide an overall conclusion regarding whether the identified baseline scenario is justified.
3.3.5 Additionality
Identify the method used by the applied methodology to demonstrate additionality. Describe in
detail the steps taken to validate that the procedure for additionality (set out in the methodology or
referenced tool) has been followed correctly and precisely.
For project methods, include at minimum information with respect to how the following have been
assessed (as applicable):
The appropriateness of data and parameters used in financial calculations and sensitivity
analyses, including those taken from feasibility study reports.
The appropriateness of the geographical region used in the common practice analysis.
Information regarding similar projects identified in the common practice analysis, including
essential distinctions between similar projects and the proposed project.
For standardized methods, include at minimum information with respect to how the following have
been assessed (as applicable):
For performance methods, the appropriateness of the performance benchmark selected and the
ability of the project to achieve the level of the benchmark.
Adherence to all other criteria and procedures set out in the standardized method.
Provide details (including sources of information) of steps taken to cross-check data used in the
additionality demonstration. Provide an overall conclusion regarding whether additionality is
justified for the project.
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Identify the quantification methods that will be used for GHG emission reductions and carbon
dioxide removals generated by the project during the project crediting period. Describe the steps
taken to validate the quantification methods, including all data and parameters used in the
equations, and any references to any other data sources used. Include in the description,
information with respect to how the following has been assessed:
Quantification of baseline emissions.
All data and parameter values used in the project description are considered reasonable in the
context of the project and are in conformance with the VCS Program rules.
All estimates of the baseline emissions can be replicated using the data and parameter values
provided in the project description.
Provide an overall concluding statement regarding whether the methodology and any referenced
tools have been applied correctly to calculate baseline emissions, project emissions, leakage and
reductions and removals.
Identify any methodology deviations applied to the project and describe the steps taken to validate
each deviation. Include information with respect to how the following has been assessed:
Whether the deviation meets with the criteria and specifications for permitted methodology
deviations.
Whether the deviation negatively impacts the conservativeness of the quantification of GHG
emission reductions or removals (except where they result in increased accuracy).
Provide an overall conclusion regarding whether any methodology deviations applied to the project
are valid.
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Identify the parameters to be monitored and describe the steps taken to validate the suitability and
eligibility of the monitoring equipment and procedures (e.g., process and schedule for obtaining,
recording, compiling and analyzing the monitored data and parameters).
Provide an overall conclusion regarding the adherence of the monitoring plan to the requirements
of the applied methodology and any referenced tools.
An assessment of the quality of documentation and data provided to support the risk score.
Provide a conclusion regarding the determined value of the overall risk rating.
4 VALIDATION OPINION
4.1 Validation Summary
Clearly state that the GHG statement is the responsibility of the project proponent, whether the
project conforms with the validation criteria for projects set out in VCS Version 4 and include any
qualifications or modifications. Adverse, disclaimed, modified or qualified opinions must include a
description of the reason(s) for the opinion, placed before the validation/verification body’s
conclusion.
carbon dioxide removals described below. Where the project reports removals and reductions
separately, these must also be validated separately.
Validated estimated GHG emission reductions and carbon dioxide removals for the project
crediting period:
For projects that are not required to assess permanence risk, complete the following table:
DD-MMM-
YYYY to
31-Dec-
YYYY
01-Jan-
YYYY to
31-Dec-
YYYY
01-Jan-
YYYY to
DD-MMM-
YYYY
...
Total
ii) Complete the table below for the project crediting period:
DD-MMM-
YYYY to
31-Dec-
YYYY
01-Jan-
YYYY to
31-Dec-
YYYY
01-Jan-
YYYY to
DD-MMM-
YYYY
...
Total
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APPENDIX 1: COMMERCIALLY
SENSITIVE INFORMATION
Use the table below to describe the commercially sensitive information included in the project description to
be excluded in the public version.