Identify an activity that reduces or removes greenhouse gases. Examples include: Farmers: Agroforestry, better soil management (no-till, cover crops), biogas units,NGOs/Individuals: Reforestation, community biogas, clean cookstoves, wast ecomposting, small renewable energy.
Decide where you’ll register your project:
International: Verra (VCS), Gold Standard (well-established, global recognition).
India Domestic: Keep updated on the CCTS framework and its specific requirements/methodologies.
Select an approved methodology under your chosen standard that matches your project type precisely. This is your rulebook for calculation and monitoring.
Feasibility: Is the project technically possible and financially manageable for you?
Additionality: Crucial! Prove your project provides emission reductions beyond what would happen normally. Carbon credit finance should be a key reason the project proceeds.
This is your detailed project blueprint, following your chosen methodology. It covers the project plan, baseline emissions, additionality proof, expected reductions, and how you’ll monitor everything.
Engage an accredited Validation and Verification Body (VVB) approved under your chosen standard. They are your third-party checker.
The VVB reviews your PDD and plans (desk review, maybe site visits) to ensure everything meets the standard’s rules. They issue a Validation Report if successful.
Start your project activities as planned.
Diligently collect data according to your monitoring plan in the PDD. This data is essential proof!
Start your project activities as planned.
Diligently collect data according to your monitoring plan in the PDD. This data is essential proof!
Periodically (e.g., annually), engage an accredited VVB again.
* The VVB audits your actual monitored data and results to confirm the emission
reductions you achieved during the period. They issue a Verification Report.
* Submit the Verification Report to the Registry. Upon approval, the registry issues the carbon credits (e.g., VCUs, Gold Standard Credits, or future Indian Carbon Credits (ICCs)) into your account. (1 credit ≈ 1 tonne CO2e reduced/removed).
* Offer your issued credits for sale in:
* Voluntary Market: To companies/individuals offsetting emissions by choice.
* Compliance Market: Potentially within India’s upcoming CCTS to entities needing credits to meet regulations.
* You can sell directly, use brokers, or list on exchanges.