GCOM Steps

When developing and preparing a project, the Project Proponent shall:

• Establish project ownership.
• Ensure the project activity is not registered under any other crediting mechanism, including the CDM, to avoid double counting.
• Comply with the GCOM requirements applicable to the corresponding project type and sector.
• Demonstrate that the project activity delivers real, measurable, and additional emission reductions or removals compared to its baseline by applying a relevant GCOM Methodology.
• Demonstrate that the project activity contributes to sustainable development by progressing at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and avoids negative environmental and social impacts.
• Ensure that all data and documentation is stored safely and easily accessible for at least two years after the final Crediting Period has ended for any given project activity.

Project Proponent (PP) shall prepare all required documents with sufficient data for consideration by GCOM, specifying project type as GHG Metric or Non-GHG Metric . The PP details the project activity using the GCOM Project Design Document (PDD) Form.

Project Proponent must ensure the PDD’s completeness, and compatibility with the GCOM standards and relevant methodology that are applicable to the project activity.

The Project Proponent can seek clarifications from the DNA through the GCOM contact page , on:

• Requirements of the PDD and any other forms applicable to a project activity type.
• A list of DNA-Accredited Validators for the project activity type.
• Other questions regarding the GCOM process.

For further details, please refer to GCOM Guidelines.

The validation process guarantees the reliability and credibility of the project and its associated emission reductions and removals. The purpose is to objectively assess the project activity for compliance with GCOM requirements and confirm the corresponding methodology has been applied correctly to quantify the emission reductions or removals achieved by the project activity.

The Project Proponent shall choose a DNA-accredited Validation-Verification Body (VVB) to validate the Project Design Document (PDD) and other relevant documents. The selected VVB must attest that no conflict of interest exists between it and any of the project activity stakeholders. Any fees associated with the validation function shall be agreed by the Project Proponent and the selected VVB, independent of the GCOM. The VVB that performs validation for a project cannot also perform verification for the same project. Upon completion of the validation function, the VVB is expected to issue a validation report that is consistent with the relevant GCOM forms.

Selected Committees comprised of DNA Members (based on sector) shall accredit a list of independent third-party national/ regional/ international VVBs to conduct the validation function of the projects or activities undertaken by Project Proponents. VVBs shall be accredited for project validation and verification in the sector of the applicable methodology according to the competency requirements and standards set out by the DNA.

The VVB must keep all documents and records in a secure and retrievable manner for at least 2 years after the end of the relevant project crediting period, even if it does not carry out verification throughout the project crediting period.

For further details, please refer to GCOM Guidelines.

The Project Proponent (PP) shall submit all required documents with sufficient data for consideration by DNA, specifying project type as GHG Metric or Non-GHG Metric . Submission must include the complete Project Design Document (PDD) forms that were previously prepared as well as the associated Validation Report .

Upon submission, the project shall be assigned a unique tracking number that will not change through the lifetime of the project.

Once all required documents are submitted, the DNA shall begin its review processes, which include reaching out to the project proponent if any missing/insufficient data and/or information is identified.

For submission of the project, click here.

For further details, please refer to GCOM Guidelines.

The DNA conducts its review of the project documentation and the associated validation report. Finalization of the review processes includes a secondary stakeholder engagement that is held for 15 days on the GCOM website. Individuals, entities, and interested organizations or group that might have interaction or interest in the project activity are considered stakeholders in this case. The stakeholder engagement is meant to allow stakeholders to express their views, comments and concerns regarding a specific project activity and its potential environmental, social and economic impacts.

Upon completion of the review processes, the DNA shall communicate the results of its review, as:

• Acceptance
• Acceptance contingent on requested corrections or clarifications
• Rejection

Accepted projects or activities shall be issued an official registration letter and be listed in the corresponding GHG Metric or Non-GHG Metric section of the GCOM Registry . All non-confidential information included in the final validated Project Design Document (PDD), the validation report and any other relevant documents and/or data shall be made publicly available through the registry.

For further details, please refer to GCOM Guidelines.

The Project Proponent shall implement the monitoring plan as set out by the applied baseline and monitoring methodology in the validated Project Design Document (PDD).

This includes installation of necessary monitoring equipment and/or techniques to monitor the emission reductions/removals achieved from the project activity.

The Project Proponent shall prepare a Monitoring Report that contains actual measurements of emission reductions or removals achieved by the project activity and appoint an accredited VVB to audit the monitoring report and issue a Verification Report.

By the end of the first monitoring period, and each subsequent monitoring period, the Project Proponent must demonstrate that the project has contributed toward the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (UN).

For further details, please refer to GCOM Guidelines.

The verification process guarantees the reliability and credibility of the project and its associated emission reductions and removals. The purpose is to objectively assess the project activity for compliance with the monitoring plan as set out in the validated Project Design Document (PDD) and confirm the actual measurements to quantify the emission reductions or removals achieved by the project activity. The project proponent can decide the interval of verification of its monitoring reports and may subsequently submit the reports to the DNA a maximum of once per year.

In the case of sequestration projects, the scope of the verification should include an updated assessment of the risk of reversal and an updated buffer determination, as applicable.

The Project Proponent shall choose a DNA-accredited Validation-Verification Body (VVB) to verify the monitoring report and other relevant documents. The selected VVB must attest that no conflict of interest exists between it and any of the project activity stakeholders. Any fees associated with the verification function shall be agreed by the Project Proponent and the selected VVB, independent of the GCOM.

The VVB that performs verification for a project cannot be the same VVB that performed the validation for the same project. Upon completion of the verification function, the VVB is expected to issue a verification report that is consistent with the relevant GCOM forms.

Selected Committees comprised of DNA Members (based on sector) shall accredit a list of independent third-party national/ regional/ international VVBs to conduct the verification function of the projects or activities undertaken by Project Proponents. VVBs shall be accredited for project validation and verification in the sector of the applicable methodology according to the competency requirements and standards set out by the DNA.

The VVB must keep all documents and records in a secure and retrievable manner for at least 2 years after the end of the relevant project crediting period, even if it does not carry out verification throughout the entire project crediting period.

The Monitoring Report and Verification report are submitted to DNA.

For further details, please refer to GCOM Guidelines.

Once the Verification Report and the Monitoring Report are submitted, the DNA shall undertake a thorough review of the aforementioned reports. The approval or rejection of these reports will be determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the completeness and accuracy of the information submitted.

For further details, please refer to GCOM Guidelines.