VCS PROJECT DESCRIPTION TEMPLATE

This template is for the design of projects using the VCS Program.

Instructions for Completing the Project Description

TITLE PAGE: Complete all items in the box on the title page using Arial or Century Gothic 10.5 point,
black, regular (non-italic) font. This box must appear on the title page of the final document. Project
descriptions may also feature the project title and preparers’ name, logo and contact information more
prominently on the title page, using the format below (Arial or Century Gothic 24 point and Arial or Century
Gothic 12 point, black, regular font).

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Instructions for completing the project description template are under the
section headings in this template. Adhere to all instructions, as set out in the VCS Standard. 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 in order 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.

Unless applying a merited deviation, please complete all sections using Arial or Franklin Gothic Book 10.5
point, black, regular (non-italic) font. 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”).
Submit the project description as a non-editable PDF.

Delete all instructions, including this introductory text, from the final document.
 PROJECT TITLE
Logo (optional)

Document Prepared by (individual or entity)

Contact Information (optional)

Project Title Name of project

Version Version number of this document

Date of Issue DD-Month-YYYY this version of the document issued

Prepared By Individual or entity that prepared this document

Contact Physical address, telephone, email, website

 CONTENTS
1 PROJECT DETAILS........................................................................................................5
1.1 Summary Description of the Project....................................................................................................5
1.2 Sectoral Scope and Project Type..........................................................................................................5
1.3 Project Eligibility.................................................................................................................................5
1.4 Project Design......................................................................................................................................5
1.5 Project Proponent.................................................................................................................................5
1.6 Other Entities Involved in the Project..................................................................................................6
1.7 Ownership.............................................................................................................................................6
1.8 Project Start Date..................................................................................................................................6
1.9 Project Crediting Period.......................................................................................................................6
1.10 Project Scale and Estimated GHG Emission Reductions or Removals...............................................6
1.11 Description of the Project Activity.......................................................................................................7
1.12 Project Location...................................................................................................................................8
1.13 Conditions Prior to Project Initiation...................................................................................................8
1.14 Compliance with Laws, Statutes and Other Regulatory Frameworks.................................................8
1.15 Participation under Other GHG Programs...........................................................................................8
1.16 Other Forms of Credit..........................................................................................................................9
1.17 Additional Information Relevant to the Project...................................................................................9

2 SAFEGUARDS................................................................................................................10
2.1 No Net Harm......................................................................................................................................10
2.2 Local Stakeholder Consultation.........................................................................................................10
2.3 Environmental Impact........................................................................................................................11
2.4 Public Comments................................................................................................................................11
2.5 AFOLU-Specific Safeguards.............................................................................................................11

3 APPLICATION OF METHODOLOGY.......................................................................11
3.1 Title and Reference of Methodology..................................................................................................11
3.2 Applicability of Methodology............................................................................................................11
3.3 Project Boundary................................................................................................................................12
3.4 Baseline Scenario...............................................................................................................................12
3.5 Additionality.......................................................................................................................................13
3.6 Methodology Deviations....................................................................................................................13
4 QUANTIFICATION OF GHG EMISSION REDUCTIONS AND REMOVALS.....14
4.1 Baseline Emissions.............................................................................................................................14
4.2 Project Emissions...............................................................................................................................14
4.3 Leakage...............................................................................................................................................14
4.4 Net GHG Emission Reductions and Removals.................................................................................14

5 MONITORING................................................................................................................15
5.1 Data and Parameters Available at Validation.....................................................................................15
5.2 Data and Parameters Monitored.........................................................................................................16
5.3 Monitoring Plan..................................................................................................................................17

APPENDIX...................................................................................................................................18
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1 PROJECT DETAILS
1.1 Summary Description of the Project

Provide a summary description of the project to enable an understanding of the nature of the
project and its implementation, including the following (no more than one page):

 A summary description of the technologies/measures to be implemented by the project.

 The location of the project.

 An explanation of how the project is expected to generate GHG emission reductions or

removals.

 A brief description of the scenario existing prior to the implementation of the project.

 An estimate of annual average and total GHG emission reductions and removals.

1.2 Sectoral Scope and Project Type

Indicate the sectoral scope(s) applicable to the project, the AFOLU project category and activity
type (if applicable), and whether the project is a grouped project.

1.3 Project Eligibility

Describe and justify how the project is eligible under the scope of the VCS Program.

1.4 Project Design

Indicate whether the project has been designed to include a single installation of an activity,
multiple project activity instances, or as a grouped project.

Eligibility Criteria

For grouped projects, provide additional information relevant to the design of the grouped project
(e.g., the eligibility criteria for the inclusion of new project activity instances).

1.5 Project Proponent

Provide contact information for the project proponent(s). Copy and paste the table as needed.

Organization name

Contact person

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Title

Address

Telephone

Email

1.6 Other Entities Involved in the Project

Provide contact information and roles/responsibilities for any other entities involved in the
development of the project. Copy and paste the table as needed.

Organization
name

Role in the project

Contact person

Title

Address

Telephone

Email

1.7 Ownership
Provide evidence of project ownership, in accordance with the VCS Program specifications on
project ownership.

1.8 Project Start Date

Indicate, and provide justification for, the project start date, specifying the day, month and year.

1.9 Project Crediting Period

Indicate the project crediting period, specifying the day, month and year for the start and end dates
and the total number of years.

1.10 Project Scale and Estimated GHG Emission Reductions or Removals

Indicate the scale of the project (project or large project) and the estimated annual GHG emission
reductions or removals for the project crediting period.

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Project Scale

Project

Large project

Year Estimated GHG emission

reductions or removals (tCO 2e)

Year A (e.g., 2019)

Year B

Year C

Year...

Total estimated ERs

Total number of crediting years

Average annual ERs

1.11 Description of the Project Activity

Describe the project activity or activities (including the technologies or measures employed) and
how it/they will achieve net GHG emission reductions or removals.

For non-AFOLU projects:

 Include a list and the arrangement of the main manufacturing/production technologies,
systems and equipment involved. Include in the description information about the age and
average lifetime of the equipment based on manufacturer’s specifications and industry
standards, and existing and forecast installed capacities, load factors and efficiencies.

 Include the types and levels of services (normally in terms of mass or energy flows)
provided by the systems and equipment that are being modified and/or installed and their
relation, if any, to other manufacturing/production equipment and systems outside the
project boundary. Clearly explain how the same types and levels of services provided by the
project would have been provided in the baseline scenario.

 Where appropriate, provide a list of facilities, systems and equipment in operation under
the existing scenario prior to the implementation of the project.

For AFOLU projects:

 For all measures listed, include information on any conservation, management or planting
activities, including a description of how the various organizations, communities and other
entities are involved.

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 In the description of the project activity, state if the project is located within a jurisdiction
covered by a jurisdictional REDD+ program.

1.12 Project Location

Indicate the project location and geographic boundaries (if applicable) including a set of geodetic
coordinates. For grouped and AFOLU projects, coordinates may be submitted separately as a KML
file.

1.13 Conditions Prior to Project Initiation

Describe the conditions existing prior to project initiation and demonstrate that the project has not
been implemented to generate GHG emissions for the purpose of their subsequent reduction,
removal or destruction.

Where the baseline scenario is the same as the conditions existing prior to the project initiation,
there is no need to repeat the description of the scenarios (rather, just state that this is the case and
refer the reader to Section 3.4 (Baseline Scenario).

For AFOLU projects, include the present and prior environmental conditions of the project area,
including as appropriate information on the climate, hydrology, topography, relevant historic
conditions, soils, vegetation and ecosystems.

1.14 Compliance with Laws, Statutes and Other Regulatory Frameworks

Identify and demonstrate compliance of the project with all and any relevant local, regional and
national laws, statutes and regulatory frameworks.

1.15 Participation under Other GHG Programs

1.15.1 Projects Registered (or seeking registration) under Other GHG Program(s)

Indicate whether the project has been registered, or is seeking registration under any other GHG
programs. Where the project has been registered under any other GHG program, provide the
registration number and details.

1.15.2 Projects Rejected by Other GHG Programs

Indicate whether the project has been rejected by any other GHG programs. Where the project has
been rejected, provide the relevant information, including the reason(s) for the rejection and
justification of eligibility under the VCS Program.

1.16 Other Forms of Credit

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1.16.1 Emissions Trading Programs and Other Binding Limits

Indicate whether the project reduces GHG emissions from activities that are included in an
emissions trading program or any other mechanism that includes GHG allowance trading, and
include details about any such programs or mechanisms. Where applicable, demonstrate that GHG
emission reductions and removals generated by the project will not be used for compliance under
such programs or mechanisms. Examples of appropriate evidence are provided in the VCS
Standard.

1.16.2 Other Forms of Environmental Credit

Indicate whether the project has sought or received another form of GHG-related environmental
credit, including renewable energy certificates. Include all relevant information about the GHG-
related environmental credit and the related program.

List all other programs under which the project is eligible to participate (to create another form of
GHG-related environmental credit).

1.17 Additional Information Relevant to the Project

Leakage Management

Where applicable, describe the leakage management plan and implementation of leakage and risk
mitigation measures.

Commercially Sensitive Information

Indicate whether any commercially sensitive information has been excluded from the public version
of the project description and briefly describe the items to which such information pertains.

Note - Information related to the determination of the baseline scenario, demonstration of

additionality, and estimation and monitoring of GHG emission reductions and removals (including
operational and capital expenditures) cannot be considered to be commercially sensitive and must
be provided in the public versions of the project documents.

Sustainable Development

Describe how the project contributes to achieving any nationally stated sustainable development
priorities, including any provisions for monitoring and reporting same.

Further Information

Include any additional relevant legislative, technical, economic, sectoral, social, environmental,
geographic, site-specific and/or temporal information that may have a bearing on the eligibility of
the project, the net GHG emission reductions or removals, or the quantification of the project’s net
GHG emission reductions or removals.

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2 SAFEGUARDS
2.1 No Net Harm
Summarize any potential negative environmental and socio-economic impacts and the steps taken to
mitigate them.

2.2 Local Stakeholder Consultation

Describe the process for, and the outcomes from, the local stakeholder consultation conducted prior
to validation. Include details on the following:
 The procedures or methods used for engaging local stakeholders (e.g., dates of
announcements or meetings, periods during which input was sought).

 The procedures or methods used for documenting the outcomes of the local stakeholder
consultation.

 The mechanism for on-going communication with local stakeholders.

 How due account of all and any input received during the consultation has been taken.
Include details on any updates to the project design or justify why updates are not
appropriate.

For AFOLU projects, also demonstrate how the project has or will communicate the following:
 The project design and implementation, including the results of monitoring.

 The risks, costs and benefits the project may bring to local stakeholders.

 All relevant laws and regulations covering workers’ rights in the host country.

 The process of VCS Program validation and verification and the validation/verification
body’s site visit.

2.3 Environmental Impact

Summarize any environmental impact assessments carried out with respect to the project, where
applicable.

2.4 Public Comments

Demonstrate how due account of all and any comments received during the public comment period
has been taken. Include details on any updates to the project design or demonstrate the
insignificance or irrelevance of comments.

2.5 AFOLU-Specific Safeguards

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For AFOLU projects, provide details on the following:

 Local stakeholder identification process and a description of results.

 Risks to local stakeholders due to project implementation and how the project will mitigate
such risks.

 Risks to local stakeholder resources due to project implementation and how the project will
mitigate such risks, including the plans to ensure the project will not impact local
stakeholder’s property rights without the free, prior and informed consent.

 Processes to ensure ongoing communication and consultation with local stakeholders,

including a grievance redress procedure to resolve any conflicts which may arise between
the project proponent and local stakeholders.

For AFOLU projects with no impacts on local stakeholders, provide evidence of such.

For non-AFOLU projects, this section is not required.

3 APPLICATION OF METHODOLOGY
3.1 Title and Reference of Methodology
Provide the title, reference and version number of the methodology or methodologies applied to the
project. Include also the title and version number of any tools applied by the project.

3.2 Applicability of Methodology

Demonstrate and justify how the project activity(s) meets each of the applicability conditions of the
methodology(s), and tools (where applicable) applied by the project. Address each applicability
condition separately.

3.3 Project Boundary

Define the project boundary and identify the relevant GHG sources, sinks and reservoirs for the
project and baseline scenarios (including leakage if applicable).

Source Gas Included? Justification/Explanation

CO2

CH4
Baseline

Source 1
N2 O

Other

Source 2 CO2

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Source Gas Included? Justification/Explanation

CH4

N2 O

Other

CO2

CH4
Source 1
N2 O
Project

Other

CO2

CH4
Source 2
N2 O

Other

In addition to the table, provide a diagram or map of the project boundary, showing clearly the
physical locations of the various installations or management activities taking place as part of the
project activity based on the description provided in Section 1.11 (Description of the Project
Activity) above.

For non-AFOLU projects, include in the diagram the equipment, systems and flows of mass and
energy. Include the GHG emission sources identified in the project boundary.

For AFOLU projects, include in the diagram or map the locations of where the various measures
are taking place, any reference areas and leakage belts.

3.4 Baseline Scenario

Identify and justify the baseline scenario, in accordance with the procedure set out in the applied
methodology and any relevant tools. Where the procedure in the applied methodology involves
several steps, describe how each step is applied and clearly document the outcome of each step.

Explain and justify key assumptions, rationale and methodological choices. Provide all relevant
references.

3.5 Additionality
Demonstrate and assess the additionality of the project, in accordance with the applied
methodology and any relevant tools, taking into account of the following:

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 Where a project method is applied to demonstrate additionality and the procedure in the
applied methodology or tool involves several steps, describe how each step is applied and
clearly document the outcome of each step. Indicate clearly the method selected to
demonstrate additionality (e.g., investment analysis or barrier analysis in the case of the
CDM Tool for the demonstration and assessment of additionality). Where barrier analysis,
or equivalent, is used to demonstrate additionality, only include the most relevant barriers.
Justify the credibility of the barriers with key facts and/or assumptions and the rationale.
Provide all relevant references.

 Where a performance method is applied to demonstrate additionality, demonstrate that

performance can be achieved to a level at least equivalent to the performance benchmark
metric.

 Where the methodology applies an activity method for the demonstration of additionality,
use this section to demonstrate regulatory surplus (only) and include a statement that notes
that conformance with the positive list is demonstrated in the Applicability of Methodology
section above.

Provide sufficient information (including all relevant data and parameters, with sources) so that a
reader can reproduce the additionality analysis and obtain the same results.

3.6 Methodology Deviations

Describe and justify any methodology deviations. Include evidence to demonstrate the following:
 The deviation will not negatively impact the conservativeness of the quantification of GHG
emission reductions or removals.

 The deviation relates only to the criteria and procedures for monitoring or measurement,
and does not relate to any other part of the methodology.

4 QUANTIFICATION OF GHG EMISSION

REDUCTIONS AND REMOVALS
4.1 Baseline Emissions
Describe the procedure for quantification of baseline emissions and/or removals in accordance with
the applied methodology. Include all relevant equations, and explain and justify all relevant
methodological choices (e.g., with respect to selection of emission factors and default values).

4.2 Project Emissions

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Describe the procedure for quantification of project emissions and/or removals in accordance with
the applied methodology. Include all relevant equations, and explain and justify all relevant
methodological choices (e.g., with respect to selection of emission factors and default values).

4.3 Leakage
Describe the procedure for quantification of leakage emissions in accordance with the applied
methodology. Include all relevant equations, and explain and justify all relevant methodological
choices (e.g., with respect to selection of emission factors and default values).

4.4 Net GHG Emission Reductions and Removals

Describe the procedure for quantification of net GHG emission reductions and removals. Include
all relevant equations. For AFOLU projects, include equations for the quantification of net change
in carbon stocks.

Provide the ex-ante calculation (estimate) of baseline emissions/removals, project

emissions/removals, leakage emissions and net GHG emission reductions and removals in the table
below.

For data and parameters monitored, use estimates. Document how each equation is applied, in a
manner that enables the reader to reproduce the calculation. Provide example calculations for all
key equations, to allow the reader to reproduce the calculation of estimated net GHG emission
reductions or removals.

Year Estimated Estimated project Estimated Estimated net

baseline emissions or leakage GHG emission
emissions or removals (tCO 2e) emissions reductions or
removals (tCO 2e) (tCO2e) removals (tCO 2e)

Year A

Year B

Year C

Year...

Total

5 MONITORING
5.1 Data and Parameters Available at Validation

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Complete the table below for all data and parameters that are determined or available at
validation, and remain fixed throughout the project crediting period (copy the table as necessary for
each data/parameter). Data and parameters monitored during the operation of the project are
included in Section 5.2 (Data and Parameters Monitored) below.

Data / Parameter

Data unit Indicate the unit of measure

Description Provide a brief description of the data/parameter

Source of data Indicate the source(s) of data

Value applied Provide the value applied

Justification of choice of Justify the choice of data source, providing references where
data or description of applicable. Where values are based on measurement, include a
measurement methods description of the measurement methods and procedures applied
and procedures applied (e.g., what standards or protocols have been followed), indicate the
responsible person/entity that undertook the measurement, the date
of the measurement and the measurement results. More detailed
information may be provided in an appendix.

Purpose of Data Indicate one of the following:

 Determination of baseline scenario (AFOLU projects only)
 Calculation of baseline emissions
 Calculation of project emissions
 Calculation of leakage

Comments Provide any additional comments

5.2 Data and Parameters Monitored

Complete the table below for all data and parameters that will be monitored during the project
crediting period (copy the table as necessary for each data/parameter). Data and parameters
determined or available at validation are included in Section 5.1 (Data and Parameters Available
at Validation) above.

Data / Parameter

Data unit Indicate the unit of measure

Description Provide a brief description of the data/parameter

Source of data Indicate the source(s) of data

Description of Specify the measurement methods and procedures, any standards or

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measurement methods protocols to be followed, and the person/entity responsible for the
and procedures to be measurement. Include any relevant information regarding the
applied accuracy of the measurements (e.g., accuracy associated with meter
equipment or laboratory tests).

Frequency of Specify measurement and recording frequency

monitoring/recording

Value applied Provide an estimated value for the data/parameter

Monitoring equipment Identify equipment used to monitor the data/parameter including

type, accuracy class, and serial number of equipment, as
appropriate.

QA/QC procedures to be Describe the quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)
applied procedures to be applied, including the calibration procedures
where applicable.

Purpose of data Indicate one of the following:

 Calculation of baseline emissions
 Calculation of project emissions
 Calculation of leakage

Calculation method Where relevant, provide the calculation method, including any
equations, used to establish the data/parameter.

Comments Provide any additional comments

5.3 Monitoring Plan

Describe the process and schedule for obtaining, recording, compiling and analyzing the monitored
data and parameters set out in Section 5.2 (Data and Parameters Monitored) above. Include details
on the following:
 The methods for measuring, recording, storing, aggregating, collating and reporting data
and parameters. Where relevant, include the procedures for calibrating monitoring
equipment.

 The organizational structure, responsibilities and competencies of the personnel that will
be carrying out monitoring activities.

 The policies for oversight and accountability of monitoring activities.

 The procedures for internal auditing and QA/QC.

 The procedures for handling non-conformances with the validated monitoring plan.

 Any sampling approaches used, including target precision levels, sample sizes, sample site
locations, stratification, frequency of measurement and QA/QC procedures.

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Where appropriate, include line diagrams to display the GHG data collection and management
system.

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APPENDIX
Use appendices for supporting information. Delete this appendix (title and instructions) where no appendix
is required.