VALIDATION REPORT
VCS Version 3, CCB Standards Second Edition
VCS+CCB Validation Report Template
Instructions for completing the validation report:
TITLE PAGE: All items in the boxes on this title page must be completed using Arial 10pt, black, regular
(non-italic) font. All boxes must appear in the final document. Reports may also feature the title and
preparers’ name, logo and contact information more prominently on the title page, using Arial 24pt font for
title and Arial 11pt, black font for all other information.
VALIDATION REPORT: Instructions for completing the joint Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and
Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards validation report template can be found under each
section heading in blue or green italicized text. The blue text represents guidance for the carbon
component of the validation report that must follow VCS project-level requirements and the applied VCS
methodology. The green text represents guidance for the community and biodiversity components of the
validation report that must follow CCB Standards requirements and includes a cross reference to the
relevant CCB Standards criteria. It should be noted that the instructions provided in this document are
meant to help and aid the user in completing the template and the instructions do not represent the VCS
or CCB Standards requirements. All requirements are found in the relevant VCS program and CCB
Standards documents and these documents should be consulted before completing this template.
Any and all findings (ie, corrective action requests, clarification requests and public comments received
during the CCBA public comment period) shall be documented under the appropriate section of this
template or in an appendix (insert tables as needed). This shall include how non-conformities identified,
and relevant public comments, have been addressed through corrective action.
All sections must be completed using Arial 10pt, black, regular (non-italic) font. Sections which are not
applicable may be left blank but should NOT be deleted from the final document. All instructions,
including this introductory text, should be deleted from the final document.
VALIDATION PROJECT TITLE
Logo (optional)
Document Prepared By (individual or entity)
Contact Information (optional)
Project Title
Version
Report ID
v3.0
Name of project
Version number of validation report
Identification number of this document
1
VALIDATION REPORT
VCS Version 3, CCB Standards Second Edition
Report Title
Title of validation report
Client
Client for whom the report was prepared
Pages
Number of pages of this report
Date of Issue
DD-Month-YYYY report issued
Prepared By
Contact
Validation/verification body that prepared report
Physical address, telephone, email, website
Approved By
Individual at the validation/verification body who approved the validation report
Work Carried
Out By
Individuals who conducted the validation
Summary:
Provide the following:
 A brief description of the validation and the project,
 The purpose and scope of validation
 The method and criteria used for validation
 Any findings, restrictions of uncertainties related to the validation
 Summary of the validation conclusion
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VCS Version 3, CCB Standards Second Edition
Table of Contents
Insert table of contents
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VALIDATION REPORT
VCS Version 3, CCB Standards Second Edition
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Objective
Explain the purpose of the validation.
1.2
Scope and Criteria
Describe the scope and criteria of the validation.
1.3
Level of assurance
Indicate the level of assurance of the validation report.
1.4
Summary Description of the Project
Provide a summary description of the project.
2
VALIDATION PROCESS
2.1
Method and Criteria
Describe the method and criteria, including the sampling plan, used for undertaking the validation.
2.2
Document Review
Describe how the validation was performed as an audit where the project description and any
supporting documents were reviewed and compared with identified and stated requirements.
2.3
Interviews
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.
2.4
Site Inspections
Describe the method and objectives for any on-site inspections performed.
2.5
Public Comments
Describe the process for addressing comments received through the CCB Alliance (CCBA) public
comment period during the validation process.
2.6
Resolution of Any Material Discrepancy
Describe the process for the resolution of any material discrepancies (corrective actions,
clarifications or other findings) raised by the validation team during the validation process.
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VALIDATION FINDINGS
3
GENERAL
3.1
Summary Description of the Project (G3)
Document the evidence used to determine that the project satisfies G3.1.
3.2
Project Location (G1 & G3)
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding project location, including the requirements of
G1.1, G1.3 and G3.3.
3.3
Conditions Prior to Project Initiation (G1)
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding the condition prior to project initiation, including
the requirements of G1.2, G1.5-8.6.
3.4
Project Proponent (G4)
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding roles/responsibilities for the project
proponent(s), including the requirements of G4.1.
3.5
Other Entities Involved in the Project (G4)
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding roles/responsibilities for any other entities
involved in the development of the project, including the requirements of G4.2.
3.6
Project Start Date
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding the project start date.
3.7
Project Crediting Period (G3)
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding the project crediting period, including the
requirements of G3.4.
4
DESIGN
4.1
Sectoral Scope and Project Type
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding the sectoral scope(s), type, technologies and
measures implemented and eligibility of the project.
4.2
Description of the Project Activity (G3)
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding the project activity, including the requirements
of G3.2.
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4.3
Management of Risks to Project Benefits (G3)
Document the evidence used to determine that the project satisfies G3.5 and G3.7.
4.4
Measures to Maintain High Conservation Values (G3)
Document the evidence used to determine that the project satisfies G3.6.
4.5
Project Financing (G3 & G4)
Document the evidence used to determine that the project satisfies G3.11 and G4.7.
4.6
Employment Opportunities and Worker Safety (G4)
Document the evidence used to determine that the project satisfies G4.3-4 and G4.6.
4.7
Stakeholders (G3)
Document the evidence used to determine that the project satisfies G3.8-10.
4.8
Commercially Sensitive Information
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding commercially sensitive information.
5
LEGAL STATUS
5.1
Compliance with Laws, Statues, Property Rights and Other Regulatory
Frameworks (G4 & G5)
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding compliance with applicable laws, statutes and
regulatory frameworks, including the requirements of G4.5 and G5.1-5.2..
5.2
Evidence of Right of Use (G5)
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding evidence of right of use, including the
requirements of G5.6.
5.3
Emissions Trading Programs and Other Binding Limits
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding emissions trading programs and other binding
limits.
5.4
Participation under Other GHG Programs
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding participation under other GHG programs.
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5.5
Other Forms of Environmental Credit
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding other forms of GHG-related environmental
credit.
5.6
Projects Rejected by Other GHG Programs
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding rejection by any other GHG programs.
5.7
Respect for Rights and No Involuntary Relocation (G5)
Document the evidence used to determine that the project satisfies G5.3-4.
5.8
Illegal Activities and Project Benefits (G5)
Document the evidence used to determine that the project satisfies G5.5.
6
APPLICATION OF METHODOLOGY
6.1
Title and Reference of Methodology
Identify the title, reference and version number of the applied methodology
6.2
Applicability of Methodology
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding the applicability of the methodology.
6.3
Methodology Deviations
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding methodology deviations applied to the project.
6.4
Project Boundary (G1)
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding the definition of the project boundary.
6.5
Baseline Scenario (G2)
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding the determination of the baseline scenario,
including the requirements of G2.1 and G2.4-5.
6.6
Additionality (G2)
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding the demonstration of additionality, including the
requirements of G2.2.
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QUANTIFICATON OF GHG EMISSION REDUCTIONS AND REMOVALS
7.1
Project Scale and Estimated GHG Emission Reductions or Removals
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding the project scale and the estimated GHG
emission reductions or removals, including the requirements of G1.4.
7.2
Leakage Management
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding leakage management.
7.3
Baseline Emissions (G2)
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding the quantification of baseline emissions,
including the requirements of G2.3.
7.4
Project Emissions
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding quantification of project emissions.
7.5
Leakage
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding quantification of leakage emissions.
7.6
Summary of GHG Emission Reductions and Removals
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding the summary of GHG emission reductions or
removals and uncertainties associated with the calculation of emissions.
7.7
Climate Change Adaptation Benefits (GL1)
If applicable, document the evidence used to determine that the project satisfies GL1.1-4.
8
COMMUNITY
8.1
Net Positive Community Impacts (CM1)
Document the evidence used to determine that the project satisfies CM1.1-2.
8.2
Negative Offsite Stakeholder impacts (CM2)
Document the evidence used to determine that the project satisfies CM2.1-3.
8.3
Exceptional Community Benefits (GL2)
If applicable, document the evidence used to determine that the project satisfies GL2.1-5.
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BIODIVERSITY
9.1
Net Positive Biodiversity Impacts (B1)
Document the evidence used to determine that the project satisfies B1.1-5.
9.2
Negative Offsite Biodiversity Impacts (B2)
Document the evidence used to determine that the project satisfies B2.1-3.
9.3
Exceptional Biodiversity Benefits (GL3)
If applicable, document the evidence used to determine that the project satisfies GL3.1-2.
10
MONITORING
10.1
Description of the Monitoring Plan (CM3 & B3)
Identify, discuss and justify conclusions regarding the following:
 Data and parameters available at validation
 Data and parameters monitored
 Applicability and eligibility of monitoring equipment and procedures
Document the evidence used to determine that the project satisfies CL3.1-2, CM3.1-2, B3.1-2,
CM3 and B3.
11
VALIDATION CONCLUSION
Clearly state whether the project conforms with the validation criteria for projects, as set out in
VCS Version 3 and CCB Standards Second Edition, and include any qualifications or limitations.
Conclude whether the project is likely to achieve estimated GHG emission reduction or removals
and positive community and biodiversity impacts.
CCB STANDARDS CRITERIA CHECKLIST:
GENERAL SECTION
CONFORMANCE
G1. Original Conditions in the Project Area (Required)
YES __
NO __
G2. Baseline Projections (Required)
YES __
NO __
G3. Project Design and Goals (Required)
YES __
NO __
G4. Management Capacity and Best Practices (Required)
YES __
NO __
G5. Legal Status and Property Rights (Required)
YES __
NO __
CL1. Net Positive Climate Impacts (Required)
YES __
NO __
CL2. Offsite Climate Impacts (“Leakage”) (Required)
YES __
NO __
CLIMATE SECTION
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CL3. Climate Impact Monitoring (Required)
YES __
NO __
CM1. Net Positive Community Impacts (Required)
YES __
NO __
CM2. Offsite Community Impacts (Required)
YES __
NO __
CM3. Community Impact Monitoring (Required)
YES __
NO __
B1. Net Positive Biodiversity Impacts (Required)
YES __
NO __
B2. Offsite Biodiversity Impacts (Required)
YES __
NO __
B3. Biodiversity Impact Monitoring (Required)
YES __
NO __
GL1. Climate Change Adaptation Benefits (Optional)
YES __
NO __
GL2. Exceptional Community Benefits (Optional)
YES __
NO __
GL3. Exceptional Biodiversity Benefits (Optional)
YES __
NO __
COMMUNITY SECTION
BIODIVERSITY SECTION
GOLD SECTION
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