What is a Methodology?

A methodology sets out detailed requirements for quantifying the GHG benefits of a specific project.

Methodologies set out detailed procedures and equations for quantifying the real greenhouse gas benefits of a project. They tell project proponents things like how to determine the project boundary, how to assess additionality, how to conservatively determine the most plausible baseline scenario, how to quantify the GHG emissions that would have occurred and how to quantify the GHG emissions that were reduced or removed as a result of the project. 

Modules and tools are discrete components that sometimes complement methodologies by setting out procedures for specific tasks, such as assessing additionality or setting performance or technology benchmarks (eg additionality tool).

Many methodologies have been developed under the UN Clean Development Mechanism, and all may be used to develop projects under VCS. Projects may also use methodologies developed under the VCS Program, notably in the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use sector. Methodologies developed by the Climate Action Reserve, with the exception of CAR's Forest and Urban Forest protocols, may also be used to develop VCS projects.

• VCS methodologies
• CDM methodologies
• CAR methodologies

In cases where no existing methodology is suitable, projects may choose to develop a new VCS methodology under the VCS Methodology Approval Process. Under the MAP, project proponents may develop VCS methodologies, modules or tools for any of the 15 VCS sectoral scopes. Read more about developing VCS methodologies. 

From time to time, VCS may review approved methodologies to ensure they conform to current requirements, best practice and scientific consensus - or to consolidate multiple methodologies. If following review a methodology needs to be updated, revised, consolidated or withdrawn, grace periods for using the prevailing version of the methodology will apply. Grace periods are set out in detail in the Methodology Approval Process. Individual web pages of all VCS methodologies will always state the current status of the methodolody and the end date for any grace period in effect.

If a methodology from an approved GHG program is revised, withdrawn or put on hold, VCS projects must comply with the grace periods and rules set out by the relevant GHG program. For example, if a CDM methodology is withdrawn, a VCS project using that methodology must issue the project validation report by the CDM's deadline for requesting project registration.