🔄ICR Methodology Approval Process v3.0
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
Introduction
The ICR methodology approval process offers project proponents a pathway for developing new methodologies when no existing methodology addresses their needs or can be applied to their climate solutions, or they need minor revisions. This ICR methodology approval process describes the framework, criteria, and process that methodologies shall follow in order to be approved by ICR. The ICR methodology approval process is the process by which proposed methodologies are approved for use under the ICR program. Methodologies are subject to validation by an approved validation and verification body (VVB) accredited for ISO 14065 and reviewed by the ICR for consistency and completeness and approved by the ICR board. Once a methodology has been approved it may be applied as criteria for validation of climate projects applying the methodology.
Scope
This document specifies processes and procedures for approval of new methodologies, revisions, and review of methodologies under the ICR program.
Normative references
ICR requirement document
ICR methodology requirements
ICR validation and verification specifications
ICR definitions
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
Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in the ICR definitions apply.
Methodology approval process
New methodologies proposals and methodology revisions are approved through the process set out in this ICR methodology approval process, consisting of a public stakeholder consultation, an independent assessment by a VVB, a review by the ICR, and final approval by the ICR board.
Figure 1: Methodology approval process
Methodologies include requirements towards a specific type of climate project that, with their application, conform to the requirements of ISO 14064-2, ICR requirements, and other relevant normative requirements. They set out requirements and guidelines for establishing the baseline scenario, quantification, monitoring, and confirmation requirements that ensure consistency in their application and resulting in GHG emission mitigation outcomes. If ICR or other GHG programs have not already approved a methodology applicable to the climate solution, the project proponent may develop and propose a new methodology for approval by the ICR.
The methodology developer shall follow and adhere to the requirements in the ICR methodology requirements, use the latest version of the methodology description template for the development and strive to safeguard structural integrity, consistency, and readability. The methodology shall follow all instructions in the methodology description template and justify all deviations.
The new methodology proposal shall be submitted to ICR electronically via email to admin@carbonregistry.com. The methodology's name shall be written in the subject of the document, accompanied by an explanation indicating that the submitted documents represent a proposal for a new methodology. All supporting documentation shall be delivered to the ICR.
The costs of the methodology approval process consist of fees associated with validating the proposed new methodology, charged by the VVB[1] and fees charged by the ICR according to ICR’s fee schedule. The methodology developer carries all costs if no other arrangement has been agreed upon with ICR.
Concept note
Using the concept note template, the methodology developer may prepare a description of how the proposed climate solution and the climate project may mitigate climate change. The concept note shall include the following:
a summary description of the methodology,
reference to other similar methodologies, and distinction to other methodologies,
a summary of activities associated with the implementation,
applicability of its application,
assessment method of additionality,
quantification approach of GHG emission mitigations, and
describe monitoring measures,
identification of any planned projects applying the methodology, and
identification of the development team and their competence.
information on funding sources for developing the methodology and implementation of identified projects.
The concept note shall be submitted to ICR electronically via email to admin@carbonregistry.com with the name of the concept methodology in the subject and an indication it is a concept note. The concept note will not be published publicly unless the methodology developer requests public disclosure.
ICR conducts a review of the concept note and confirms the following:
Any existing methodologies do not cover the project activities covered by the concept.
Approaches toward its application are provided in a detailed manner.
The development team is appropriately competent and
That sufficient capacity is in place to ensure the methodology approval process can be completed.
ICR evaluates the concept note when enough information has been provided. When the evaluation has been completed, ICR will:
confirm that the concept note meets the criteria for the concept note, and the methodology developer can continue the process.
request minor improvement of the concept note, where ICR specifies unmet criteria.
request for a major improvement of the concept note before it can be resubmitted.
ICR will submit to the methodology developer a review report of the concept note within 60 days.
Methodology development
Methodologies provide a standardized framework for estimating, monitoring and verifying GHG emission mitigations, allowing for consistent and comparable results across different GHG projects. New methodologies are subject to validation for conformity to requirements of ISO 14064-2 on a methodology level (not project level, mutatis mutandis) and the ICR methodology requirements, public stakeholder consultation, and completeness and consistency review by the ICR according to the requirements of the ICR methodology requirements and requirements herein.
The methodology developer shall develop the methodology according to requirements described in the ICR methodology requirements, ISO 14064-2, and use the latest version of the methodology description template provided by ICR to be eligible for new methodology approval under ICR.
Validation
The proposed new methodology is subject to validation by an approved VVB. The methodology developer shall contract a VVB to conduct the validation of the methodology and a project design description (PDD) (see section 5 of the ICR methodology requirements). The VVB shall meet the requirements set out in section 8 of the ICR methodology requirements.
The VVB shall produce a validation report (ValR) for the methodology following the requirements of ISO 14065 and conduct the validation according to ISO 14064-3 and the ICR validation and verification specifications relating to methodology validation under section 11. The ValR shall be separate for the proposed methodology from the ValR of a project applying the new proposed methodology. The ValR shall be submitted to the ICR in conjunction with the submission of the final approval of the new methodology. For methodology revisions, according to section 5, the VVB shall determine if the methodology shall undergo complete validation or only for the elements that have been revised. The VVB shall consider the validation report for the underlying methodology when determining the scope of validation.
Public disclosure
ICR creates a website for the proposed methodology no later than when public consultation starts. The methodology developer may, however, request ICR to initiate the public consultation earlier and publish the public consultation site earlier. The methodology developer shall provide ICR with the following information using ICR methodology summary template.
Summary description of the methodology
Project activities
Applicability conditions
Assessment of additionality (additionality level)
Quantification methods
Monitoring
Sector, type
First projects implementation estimation with location
Developer information
Public stakeholder consultation
ICR publishes the proposed new methodology documentation on the ICR public consultation website for 30 days for consultation with stakeholders and the public. In collaboration with ICR, the methodology developer may host as an ICR webinar, a presentation of the proposed new methodology to introduce the proposed methodology to stakeholders. Any comments from stakeholders shall be submitted to admin@carbonregistry.com, or through a webform on the public consultation page. Respondents shall provide their name, organization, country, and email address.
When the public consultation has concluded, ICR provides comments received to the methodology developer and the VVB assessing the methodology for validation. The methodology developer shall respond to all comments either by updating the methodology or demonstrating the insignificance or irrelevance of the comment. All changes due to comments received shall be resubmitted to the VVB for assessment, these comments should be taken into consideration to define the final version of the methodology before approval. If comments are received too late for this purpose or after approval of the methodology they shall be considered as input to the review process, see section 5.2. After the formal public consultation period has concluded, ICR will allow stakeholders to continue to submit any comments they may have later. Any comments received are shared with the methodology developer and the VVB.
Completeness review
When the methodology developer has submitted the final proposal for the new methodology to the ICR along with the ValR and all other relevant documentation, i.e., PDD, ValR for the project, reference documentation, modules, tools, etc., ICR conducts a completeness review. Completeness review consists of a review of the methodology documentation to ensure that the methodology is of sufficient quality and that the methodology documentation has been completed according to ICR methodology requirements. The completeness review focuses on the methodology's structure, consistency, and clarity as well as the validation of the methodology has followed prescribed procedures and consistency with the methodology documentation and the ValR.
If ICR identifies issues or missing documentation in the submitted proposal for the new methodology and validation, ICR communicates findings to the methodology developer and the VVB. ICR provides the methodology developer with a review report within 60 days after final documentation has been submitted for final completeness review. The methodology developer and/or VVB shall provide clarifications or submit further documentation to address the findings to the ICR within 30 days of receiving the review report. If the methodology developer or VVB don’t respond to ICR request for clarification and/or corrections within 90 days, ICR considers that the methodology developer has withdrawn the request for approval.
If the completeness review reveals that the methodology does not meet ICR requirements, ICR reserves the right not to proceed to the methodology approval process.
ICR board approval
The ICR prepares all relevant documentation relating to the proposed new methodology to the ICR board, for which ICR has completed a completeness and consistency review and approved, taking into account the comments received from public stakeholder consultation, using the ICR new methodology proposal form.
The ICR board shall consider the proposal of the new methodology, ValR, and validated PDD if available. The ICR board shall make every effort to conclude its consideration and finalize the decision as soon as practically possible, but no later than 30 days after submission for final approval.
At the next scheduled ICR board meeting, the approval is placed on the agenda. The ICR board shall take due account to all documentation provided and decide either to:
Approve the proposed new methodology (revision)
Reject the proposed new methodology (revision)
If the ICR board identifies issues in the proposed new methodology that may be addressed with clarifications or modifications, ICR communicates issues to the methodology developer and the VVB. The methodology developer and/or VVB shall provide clarifications or submit further documentation to address issues raised to the ICR within 30 days of receiving such request. The proposal submission shall be considered withdrawn if the methodology developer or VVB don’t respond to issues discovered within 90 days.
If the ICR board approves the proposed new methodology (revision), the approved new methodology (revision) is published on the ICR website within seven days of the approval in ICR format, and the list of ICR approved methodologies is updated accordingly.
Methodology revisions and review
Revisions
Methodology revisions shall be prepared using the ICR methodology template. Methodology revisions may represent limited modification as clarification, correction, or more extensive modifications.
The methodology developer may consult with ICR to determine if a methodology revision represents a limited or extensive modification. If the revision is extensive, the revision process shall follow section 4 above.
For limited modifications, the methodology may be updated where ICR makes the required changes in coordination with the methodology developer and the VVB that completed the latest validation of the methodology and issues a new version.
Where revisions have been made to existing methodologies and approved by the ICR board, the revisions are published on the ICR website and may be applied to project activities.
A reference to the underlying methodology being revised shall be included for revising a methodology under another GHG program. The revision shall be applied to the current version of the methodology. The revision shall use the ICR methodology description template, and the rationale for the revision shall be clearly stated both in summary and in modified sections. Sections not modified shall refer to the underlying methodology.
If a new version of the underlying methodology is issued under the relevant GHG program, compromising the revised methodologies' integrity and conformity to ICRs requirements, projects cannot apply the methodology revision until the methodology revision has been updated and re-approved.
Review
ICR reviews approved methodologies to ensure continuity regarding methodologies being active and they reflect best practices and scientific consensus. This is done to ensure consistency with any new amended requirements and ensure that methodologies include appropriate criteria and procedures for addressing all applicable requirements.
A review may be initiated due to the following:
New requirements reflect the development of the ICR program, best practice, and/or emerging scientific consensus concerning projects and methodologies.
Concerns are that methodologies do not reflect best practices or scientific consensus or are materially inconsistent with ICR requirements.
ICR, in consultation with the ICR program advisory panel (PAP) and the ICR board, carries out the review and any relevant issues that initiated the review. Input from the methodology developer, the VVBs that have assessed the methodology, ICR forums, open public consultation (see 4.5) and appropriately qualified external experts, is obtained as required for the review.
If the review results in that the methodology requires limited modifications, ICR coordinates with the methodology developer and a VVB to update the methodology documentation.
If the review results in that the methodology requires major revision, the methodology is temporarily suspended. If the methodology developer or another entity would like to reinstate the methodology, the methodology shall be revised and approved following section 4 above. If not, the methodology is withdrawn.
If the review shows that the methodology meets all ICR requirements and reflects best practices and scientific consensus, no further action is required.
Periodical review of approved methodologies
The ICR conducts periodic reviews of methodologies developed under the ICR program and the ICR methodology approval process and underlying methodologies of revised methodologies under the ICR program to ensure they align with best practices, based on best available scientific knowledge, and technical advancements. This process intends to ensure that methodologies are consistent with development of the ICR program and establish robust criteria and procedures to meet the ICR requirements.
Following a review, ICR may revise the methodology or issue guidance and clarification documents. Additionally, ICR may suspend previously approved methodologies or withdraw them from the ICR program until a revised version address identified issues and meets ICR program criteria, and they align with best practices and are in line with best available scientific knowledge, and technical advancements. Relevant stakeholders are kept informed throughout the review process. The review procedure is outlined in sections 5.3.1 to 5.3.3. These procedures apply to all methodologies, relevant modules, and tools.
Review
ICR initiates a periodic review of each methodology, module, and tool within five years of its approval, last update or review.
ICR reviews approval status of revised methodologies from other GHG programs that are approved for use under the ICR program periodically, at least biannually.
Reviews may be initiated at any time if the methodology developer, VVB, project proponent, stakeholder, or ICR identifies an issue, such as:
Significant inconsistency with ICR requirements (e.g., significant differences in the quantification of GHG emission mitigations by projects applying the methodology).
General scientific or technical advancements in a specific industry/sector.
Any other concerns raised about an approved methodology, which is considered material.
ICR public consultation sites allow for ongoing public consultations. ICR shares all input received from ongoing public stakeholder consultations with the PAP, the VVB that validated the methodology and the methodology developer.
ICR may suspend a methodology if no projects applying it have been registered or pre-registered within five years of its approval, last update or review. Suspended methodologies can be reactivated following a review and necessary revisions as per Section 5.4.
Review procedure
The review of the methodology and any relevant issues is conducted by ICR and where relevant the methodology developer, and requests input from stakeholders, ICR forums, VVBs, and where relevant external experts.
ICR initiates a public stakeholder consultation, where ICR calls for input from stakeholders if the methodology ensures alignment with best practices, are on the basis of the best available scientific knowledge, and technical advancements.
During the review, the methodology may be temporarily deactivated or excluded from the ICR program if material concerns exist.
Outcome
If the review results in that the methodology is in alignment with the ICR program and reflects best practices and best available scientific knowledge, and technical advancements, no further action is taken.
If corrections or clarifications are needed, ICR may issue corrections and clarification documents and issue a new version referring to corrections/clarifications.
If minor revisions are needed, ICR follows the procedure set out in Section 5.2.
If major revisions are needed, ICR may deactivate or withdraw the methodology from the ICR program until the issues have been addressed.
An inactive or withdrawn methodology may be revised by ICR or a third-party and reactivated or reintroduced to the ICR program. Methodology developers must submit a concept note as per Section 4.1, and the methodology shall be revised via the major revision process in section 5.2.
ICR may permanently withdraw a methodology if ICR determines that a revision is unlikely to resolve the issue successfully. Permanently deactivated or excluded methodologies cannot be reactivated or reintroduced to the ICR program.
Suspension and withdrawn methodologies
Grace periods may apply to suspended or withdrawn methodologies.
A grace period is only applicable to projects that requested pre-registration when the methodology version becoming suspended or withdrawn was active or has already been validated.
Withdrawn methodologies are not eligible for application for new project activities for registration and issuance of ICCs.
In the case of revision of a methodology, the revision documentation will explicitly mention how this will be applied to registered projects before the renewal of the crediting period (if any).
In case of withdrawal of a methodology, all registered projects will not be allowed to make any issuance for any monitoring period after the date of withdrawal, all registered projects will need to be re-validated for conformity to ICR requirements, in order to complete the crediting period.
Where a methodology is revised, project proponents may apply the previous version of the methodology for up to six months from the approval of the new version, unless otherwise specified by the ICR.
Where a revised methodology of a methodology is withdrawn or excluded from the underlying GHG program and replaced with a new version of the underlying methodology, project proponents may use the previously accepted version of the methodology for up to six months from the approval of the new methodology.
Where a previously approved methodology is suspended or withdrawn, project proponents may use the methodology version up to six months from the date it was suspended or withdrawn unless otherwise specified on the ICR website.
For already registered projects applying a methodology that has been suspended or withdrawn and not replaced with another version or replacement methodology are ineligible for applying the suspended or withdrawn methodology after the grace period ends unless they can by other means demonstrate conformity to ICR requirements.
ICR reserves all rights to set different grace periods.
Appendix I – Document History
Appendix II – Timelines
Table 1: Timelines for the methodology process divided by subject and section
The cost of contracting a VVB for validation of the methodology is charged by the VVB. ↑
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