> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://documentation.carbonregistry.com/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://documentation.carbonregistry.com/documentation/icr-program/methodology-development/criteria/icr-methodology-requirements-v3.2/version-history/icr-methodology-requirements-v3.1.md). # ICR Methodology Requirements v3.1
***Summary*** ICR serves as a framework for *climate projects* of any size, promoting environmental integrity through accelerating credible action and ensuring credibility, consistency, and transparency in quantification, *monitoring*, reporting*, validation*, and *verification* | Version no. | 3.1 | | --------------- | ----------------- | | Date of Version | 14. November 2025 | {% file src="/files/OzuZOkupljoWIU32k62r" %} ## Introduction This document provides requirements for developing new *methodologies* under the *ICR program*. The purpose of this document is to support *project proponents*, *methodology developers*, and *validation and verification bodies (VVBs)* in developing and for assessing *methodologies*. ### 0.1 Objective {% stepper %} {% step %} Provide accessible requirements applicable to all types of climate-related mitigation *methodologies*. {% endstep %} {% step %} Facilitate and promote transparency by all parties involved in the ICR, both emitters and *project proponents*. {% endstep %} {% step %} Ensure the quality and consistency of *methodology* design prepared by *methodology developers* and submitted to ICR for approval. {% endstep %} {% step %} Ensure consistency and quality of *validation* of new *methodologies*. {% endstep %} {% step %} Promote the development of *methodologies* of emerging climate technology and solutions and their access to the carbon markets, facilitating a fast transition to a low-carbon economy. {% endstep %} {% endstepper %} ### 0.2 Reference standards ICR methodology requirements are structured to be consistent with principles, requirements, and guidance of: * International Organization for Standardization *ISO 14064-2*. * *Clean Development Mechanism/Joint Implementation* (*CDM/JI*) and other *GHG Programs*. * *Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM)* established under the Paris Agreement. ICR relies on terminology from reference standards. Further, *CDM/PACM* and other *GHG programs* set out principles regarding additionality and crediting mechanisms. In general, emerging *methodologies* shall fulfill the requirements of *ISO 14064-2*, and *validation* of *methodologies* shall be according to current versions of *ISO 14064-3*, ICR methodology validation and verification specifications, *ISO 14065*, and *ISO 14066*. *ISO 14064-2* is a project-based standard. However, new *methodologies* are subject to *validation* according to the requirements of *ISO 14064-2* on a methodology level, not project level mutatis mutandis, i.e., application of a validated methodology on a project level should conform to *ISO 14064-2*. Further approval of an assessment by ICR according to the requirements of the ICR methodology requirements and ICR requirement document according to the ICR methodology approval process. ## 1. Scope This document specifies principles and requirements for new *methodologies* and revisions under the *ICR program*. ## 2. Normative references * ICR requirement document * ICR methodology approval process * ICR validation and verification specifications * ICR definitions * ICR additionality specifications * ISO 14064-2, Greenhouse gases — Part 2: Specification with guidance at the project level for quantification, monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emission reductions or removal enhancements. * ISO 14064-3, Greenhouse gases — Part 3: Specification with guidance for the verification and validation of greenhouse gas statements * ISO 14065, General principles and requirements for bodies validating and verifying environmental information * ISO 14066, Greenhouse gases — Competence requirements for greenhouse gas validation teams and verification teams ## 3. Definitions For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in the ICR definitions apply. ## 4. Principles The principles of the requirements are adapted from *CDM/PACM*, and *ISO 14064-2*. The development of *methodologies* shall adopt these as fundamental principles in their structure and application. * **Relevance** — Use data, methods, *criteria*, and assumptions that are appropriate for the intended use of reported information. * **Completeness** — Consider all relevant information that may affect the accounting and quantification of *GHG emission mitigation*. * **Consistency** — Enable meaningful comparisons in *GHG*-related information. * **Accuracy** — Reduce bias and uncertainties as far as is practical/cost-effective. * **Transparency** — Provide clear and sufficient information for reviewers to assess the credibility and reliability of *GHG emission mitigation* claims. * **Conservativeness** — Use conservative assumptions, values, and procedures to ensure that *GHG emission mitigations* are not over-estimated. * **Impartiality** — Impartial *validation* and *verification* of *GHG emission mitigations* by a competent accredited 3rd party organization. This document further sets out the requirements and structure of *methodologies* to be consistent with *CDM/PACM* and other *GHG programs*, facilitating consistency in application of *methodologies*, project registration and *issuances* of *ICCs*. ## 5. General requirements For a *methodology* to be approved under the *ICR program*, it shall demonstrate how it meets the requirements herein. *Methodologies* are approved according to the methodology approval process set out in the ICR methodology approval process. *Methodologies* shall ensure conservativeness, entail scientific integrity, technical advancements and are scientifically proven and supported with peer-reviewed literature and research. *Methodologies* shall encourage ambition over time; encourage broad participation; be real, transparent, conservative, credible, and below ‘business as usual’; avoid leakage where applicable; recognize suppressed demand. *Methodologies* shall include relevant assumptions, parameters, data sources, and key factors. *Methodologies* shall also consider *uncertainty*, *leakage*, policies and measures, and relevant circumstances, including social, economic, environmental, and technological circumstances, and address *reversals* where applicable. *Methodologies* may be developed by *project proponents*, *stakeholders*, or ICR and should include participation by sectoral experts. *Methodologies* shall be *validated* by a *VVB*, accredited for the *sectoral scope* the *methodology* applies to and be approved by ICR through the ICR methodology approval process, confirming application under the *ICR program* and its conformity to the requirements herein, and *ISO 14064-2*. *Methodologies* shall demonstrate how they meet the requirements in this document and *ISO 14064-2* at a methodology level. *Methodologies* shall be written clearly and concisely. *Methodologies* shall adopt the ICR methodology description template in as much detail as possible, though ICR will allow for different structures of *methodologies*. *Methodologies* may apply modular approaches and/or *tools* for specific tasks and different approaches for demonstration of additionality and baseline, clearly stating how the modules and/or *tools* are to be utilized. *Methodologies* may refer to and utilize modules and/or *tools* that other *GHG programs* have approved if their application conforms to *ISO 14064-2* and *ICR requirements*. The methodology description provides the structure of the *methodology*, and separate modules and/or *tools* are used to perform specific methodological tasks. ICR *methodologies* and *methodologies* under other *GHG programs* may be revised under the *ICR program*. Methodology revisions are applicable when only minor alterations to an existing *methodology* are required to describe *project activities* appropriately. Methodology revisions are also applicable when an existing *methodology* can be materially improved, which includes comparing existing and proposed revisions to show that changes will deliver material improvements resulting in greater accuracy of measurement of *GHG emissions mitigations*, improved conservatism, and/or reduced costs. Methodology revisions follow the ICRs methodology approval process. Methodologies shall include sufficient information on their application and evidence to allow readers to see how applying the *methodology* results in mitigating climate change. *Methodology developers* may exclude information on intellectual property rights and/or confidential information important for the application of the *methodology* in the published *methodology*. However, all relevant information demonstrating conformity to the ICR methodology requirements shall be provided to the *VVB* and ICR and the *methodology* shall provide enough details to allow readers to fully understand how it delivers claimed benefits. ## 6. Methodology components ### 6.1 Other methodologies and sources *Methodology developers* shall list all *methodologies* reviewed during the *methodology development*, both those of similar nature and those utilized in constructing the proposed *methodology*, along with modules/tools/regulations. It shall be demonstrated how the proposed *methodology* or revision differentiates from the referred *methodologies*. ### 6.2 Summary description of the methodology The *methodology developer* shall provide a summary of the proposed *methodology* where essential components and associated *project activities* are described generally. ### 6.3 Definitions *Methodologies* may set out defined terms in addition to those already included in the *ICR program* to help users understand the context of the *methodology* and improve its readability. *Methodologies* shall not define terms that are already included in the *ICR program*. ICR definitions shall be applied and referenced. ### 6.4 Applicability conditions Applicability conditions define conditions where the *project activities* can be applied, e.g., geographic location, technology, and any other conditions where the methodology may or may not be applicable. ### 6.5 Boundary *Methodologies* shall establish *criteria* and procedures for describing and determining project boundaries, identifying *GHG sinks, source and reservoirs (SSRs),* and justifying any inclusion or exclusion of *GHG SSRs.* The boundary shall include *GHG SSRs controlled* by the *project proponent* and *GHG SSRs related* to or *affected* by the *project activity*. The *methodology developer* shall consider sections 6.3 and 6.5 of *ISO 14064-2* for establishing *criteria* and procedures for determining the boundary. ### 6.6 Baseline scenario The *baseline scenario* represents activities in the absence of the *project activity* and associated *GHG emissions*. The *baseline scenario* shall be determined to allow for an accurate comparison between the *GHG emissions* that would have occurred under the *baseline scenario* and the *GHG emission mitigations* achieved by the *project activities*. The *methodology* shall require the application of one of the following approach(es) for determining the baseline, accompanied by a justification for the appropriateness of the choices: {% stepper %} {% step %} Performance-based approach taking into account best available technologies that represent an economically feasible and environmentally sound course of action, where appropriate. {% endstep %} {% step %} An ambitious benchmark approach where the baseline is set at least at the average emission level of the best performing comparable activities providing similar outputs and services in a defined scope in similar social, economic, environmental, and technological circumstances. {% endstep %} {% step %} An approach based on actual or historical emissions, adjusted downwards to encourage ambition over time. {% endstep %} {% endstepper %} Where appropriate, methodologies should apply dynamic baseline approaches that incorporate regular updates to baseline assumptions and data over the project crediting period. Dynamic baseline approaches shall be clearly defined, supported by accessible, transparent data sources, and subject to appropriate monitoring and verification procedures. Where a dynamic baseline is applied, the methodology shall specify the update frequency, data inputs, and any models or tools used, ensuring ongoing conservativeness and verifiability. The *methodology developer* shall consider section 6.4 and A.3.4 of *ISO 14064-2* to determine the *baseline scenario*. For the *baseline scenario*, *methodologies* may utilize *tools* approved under the *CDM/PACM*. ### 6.7 Additionality *Methodologies* shall establish a procedure for demonstrating additionality, where they demonstrate alignment with the requirements and additionality structure (levels) of section 6.4.1 of the ICR requirement document v.6.0. *Methodologies* may demonstrate additionality using a standardized tools or refer to projects demonstrating additionality at the project level. *Methodologies* shall: {% stepper %} {% step %} Apply and reference an appropriate and high integrity additionality tool approved under an *approved GHG program*. {% endstep %} {% step %} Develop a full and detailed procedure for demonstrating and assessing additionality directly within the *methodology*. {% endstep %} {% step %} The *methodology developer* may develop a standardized tool for demonstration of additionality (see ICR additionality specifications). {% endstep %} {% endstepper %} See further additionality requirements in section 6.4.1 of the ICR requirement document v6.0 and in the ICR additionality specifications. ### 6.8 Quantification of GHG emission mitigations Net *GHG emission mitigations* achieved by *projects* are the basis for the volume of *ICCs* that can be *issued*, where baseline *GHG emissions* and project *GHG emissions* and/or removals must be accurately quantified in order to determine net emission reductions and/or removals achieved by *projects*. *Methodologies* shall therefore set out procedures for quantifying these *GHG emissions* and/or *removals*. *Methodologies* shall establish *criteria* and procedures for quantifying *GHG emissions mitigations* for all selected *GHG SSRs* identified in the project boundary. *Methodologies* shall establish separate *criteria* and procedures for quantifying net *GHG emission mitigations* for the selected *GHG SSRs* for both the project (including *leakage*) and the *baseline scenarios*. Quantification of net *GHG emission mitigations* generated by the *project* shall be based on either of the two options: * The difference between the *GHG emissions* and/or *removals* and \_GHG SSRs\_relevant for both the project and the *baseline scenario*. * The difference between carbon stocks and *GHG SSRs* that are relevant for both the *project* and the *baseline scenario*. *Methodologies* shall establish procedures to quantify *leakage* where the potential for *leakage* is identified. When quantifying *GHG emissions* and/or removals achieved by the *project*, the sum of *GHG emissions* resulting from *project activities* and *leakage* shall be withdrawn. Where appropriate, net *GHG emission reductions* and *removals*, and net change in carbon stocks, shall be quantified separately for the *project* and the *baseline scenarios* for each *relevant GHG* and its corresponding *GHG SSRs*. Where there’s a risk of *reversals*, the *methodology* shall establish *criteria* and procedures to identify, assess and quantify associated risk and determine the permanence term and monitoring procedures during the permanence term. The *methodology developer* shall consider sections 6.7 and 6.8 of *ISO 14064-2* for establishment of *criteria* and procedures for quantification of *GHG emission mitigations*. ### 6.9 Monitoring *Methodologies* shall describe data and parameters available at *validation*, i.e., those fixed for the duration of the *project* *crediting period*, and data and parameters that are measured and *monitored* for *verification*, i.e., those *monitored* during the *project crediting period*. Furthermore, *methodologies* shall describe the *criteria* and procedures for obtaining, recording, compiling, and analyzing monitored data and parameters. The *methodology developer* shall consider section 6.6 and 6.10 of *ISO 14064-2* for establishing *criteria* and procedures for *monitoring*. ## 7. Implementation of a project For consistency in the application of the *methodology* at the project level, the *methodology developer* shall design a *project* following the requirements of *ISO 14064-2*, the *criteria* and procedures established under the proposed *methodology*, and the ICR requirement document. The *project* may be designed for demonstration of the methodology application only. The *methodology developer* and/or a *project proponent* shall use the ICR *project design description (PDD)* template to provide details of the *project* and its *GHG emissions mitigations*, including schematics, specifications, and a description of how the *project* mitigates *GHG emissions* with the application of the proposed *methodology*. The *project proponent* shall follow the instructions provided in the template and ICR requirement document. ## 8. Validation *Validation* of *methodologies* is the process of evaluating the proposed new *methodology* and its reasonableness of assumption, limitations, and methods included with its application and how it will support a statement of the outcome of the implementation of a *project* and its activities based on its application. Further evaluation of its conformity to *ISO 14064-2*, the ICR methodology requirements, and the ICR requirement document. All proposed *methodologies* are subject to *validation* of the proposed new *methodology* and the *PDD* developed following section 7. *Validation* shall be conducted according to *ISO 14064-3* and *ISO 14065* and ICR validation and verification specifications. The *validation report* shall be made public. *Validation* of the *methodology* may be in conjunction with *validation* of a *PDD* and *verification* of *GHG emission mitigation outcomes*. Further details on *methodology* *validation* are available under section 11 of the ICR validation and verification specifications. ### 8.1.1 Validation bodies *VVBs* are eligible to assess the proposed new *methodology* and accompanied *PDD* if they meet the accreditation requirements set out in ICR validation and verification specifications and have signed an agreement with ICR. The *VVB* shall hold such accreditation for the *sectoral scope(s)* applicable to the proposed *methodology*. Where the *methodology* falls under more than one *sectoral scope*, the *VVB* shall hold accreditation or approval for *validation* or *verification* (as applicable) for all relevant *sectoral scopes*. ## 9. Methodology revision ICR methodologies and methodologies approved under other *GHG programs* may be revised. Revision of a *methodology* is applicable when the *project activity* is similar to *project activities* under an existing *methodology*, and changes needed to include the *project activity* in question to the existing *methodology* are reasonable and non-extensive. Methodology revisions are also applicable if a *methodology* can be improved so that changes will deliver material improvements resulting in greater accuracy of measurement of *GHG emissions mitigations*, improved conservatism, and/or reduced costs. Methodology revisions shall be prepared using the ICR methodology description template. They shall follow the ICR methodology approval process and are subject to conformity to all *ISO 14064-2*, requirements in sections 5 - 8, and the ICR requirement document. ## Appendix I – Document history | **Version** | **Date** | **Comment** | | ----------- | ---------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1.0 | 19.2.2022 | First version. | | 2.0 | 14.10.2022 | Second version. | | 3.0 | 15.10.2024 | Structure and readability improved. Reference to ICR validation and verification specifications and ISO 14064-2 for further guidance. Validation specifications for methodology validation now available in section 11 of ICR validation and verification specifications After public consultation, development of standardized tools added and minor clarifications. | | 3.1 | 14.11.2025 | Appendix II dropped and now included and expanded under ICR additionality specifications. Alignment with added program requirements relating to permanence terms and dynamic baselines. |