All Program Documents
All VCS requirements are included in the Version 3 documents below.
Documents are updated periodically. Please check this page to be sure you are using the latest version of a given document.
For a running catalogue of all updates, see the Updates to VCS Version 3.
| VCS Program Guide, v3.4 |
Current Version: v3.4 Issued: 4 October 2012 The VCS Program Guide is the overarching VCS Program document. It sets out all rules and requirements governing the VCS Program, including the project registration process, the methodology approval process, the accreditation requirements for validation/verification bodies, and the functioning of the VCS registry system. |
| VCS Standard, v3.3 |
Current Version: v3.3 Issued: 4 October 2012 The VCS Standard sets out all specific requirements for developing projects and methodologies, and for the validation, monitoring and verification of projects and GHG emission reductions and removals. Four sub-documents elaborate on specific aspects of VCS Standard, setting out detailed requirements for AFOLU and ODS projects and methodologies, as well as program definitions and fees. |
| AFOLU Requirements, v3.3 |
Current Version: v3.3 Issued: 4 October 2012 The AFOLU Requirements document sets out detailed requirements for developing projects and methodologies in the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector. |
| JNR Requirements, v3.0 |
Current Version: v3.0 Issued: 4 October 2012 The JNR Requirements sets out detailed requirements for national and subnational Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ (JNR) programs and nested projects. |
| ODS Requirements, v3.1 |
Current Version: v3.1 Issued: 19 October 2011 The ODS Requirements document sets our detailed requirements for projects and methodologies that destroy ozone-depleting substances (ODS). |
| Program Definitions, v3.4 |
Current Version: v3.4 Issued: 4 October 2012 Program Definitions is a reference that defines all terms used in VCS Program documents. |
| Program Fee Schedule, v3.3 |
Current Version: v3.3 Issued: 1 February 2012 The Program Fee Schedule sets out the fees applicable under the VCS Program. |
| Registration & Issuance Process, v3.4 |
Current Version: v3.4 Issued: 4 October 2012 The Registration & Issuance Process documents sets out the procedures and rules for registering projects and issuing Verified Carbon Units (VCUs). |
| Methodology Approval Process, v3.4 |
Current Version: v3.4 Issued: 4 October 2012 The Methodology Approval Process document sets out procedures and rules for the approval of VCS methodology elements. |
| AFOLU Non-Permanence Risk Tool, v3.2 |
Current Version: v3.2 Issued: 4 October 2012 The AFOLU Non-Permanence Risk Tool sets out the procedure for conducting non-permanence risk analysis and buffer determination for AFOLU projects. |
| Project Description, v3.1 |
Current Version: v3.1 Issued: 4 October 2012 Project description template |
| Monitoring Report, v3.2 |
Current Version: v3.2 Issued: 4 October 2012 Monitoring report template |
| Registration Representation, v3.1 |
Current Version: v3.1 Issued: 4 October 2012 Deed of representation issued in respect of the project |
| Registration Representation (multiple PPs), v3.1 |
Current Version: v3.1 Issued: 4 October 2012 Deed of representation issued in respect of the project with multiple project proponents |
| Issuance Representation, v3.2 |
Current Version: v3.2 Issued: 17 December 2012 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals |
| Issuance Representation (multiple PPs), v3.2 |
Current Version: v3.2 Issued: 17 December 2012 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals from projects with multiple project proponents |
| Listing Representation, v3.1 |
Current Version: v3.1 Issued: 4 October 2012 Deed of representation issued in respect of the pipeline project |
| Listing Representation (multiple PPs), v3.0 |
Current Version: v3.0 Issued: 1 May 2012 Deed of representation issued in respect of the pipeline project with multiple project proponents |
| Validation Report, v3.2 |
Current Version: v3.2 Issued: 4 October 2012 Validation report template |
| Validation Representation, v3.1 |
Current Version: v3.1 Issued: 4 October 2012 Deed of representation issued in respect of validation |
| Verification Report, v3.2 |
Current Version: v3.2 Issued: 4 October 2012 Verification report template |
| Verification Representation, v3.1 |
Current Version: v3.1 Issued: 4 October 2012 Deed of representation issued in respect of verification |
| Non-Permanence Risk Report, v3.1 |
Current Version: v3.1 Issued: 4 October 2012 Risk report template (long form) for describing and analyzing the non-permanence risk for AFOLU projects |
| Non-Permanence Risk Report (Short Form), v3.0 |
Current Version: v3.0 Issued: 4 October 2012 Risk report template for describing and analyzing the non-permanence risk for AFOLU projects, for use with Risk Report Calculation Tool |
| Risk Report Calculation Tool, v3.0 |
Current Version: v3.0 Issued: 4 October 2012 Risk report calculation tool for calculating and documenting the non-permanence risk for AFOLU projects, for use as annex to Non-Permanence Risk Report (long or short form) |
| Loss Event Report, v3.1 |
Current Version: v3.1 Issued: 1 February 2012 Loss event report template for estimating an unplanned loss of carbon stock for AFOLU projects |
| Loss Event Representation, v3.1 |
Current Version: v3.1 Issued: 4 October 2012 Deed of representation issued in respect of the loss event report, for project proponents |
| Methodology, v3.2 |
Current Version: v3.2 Issued: 4 October 2012 Methodology template |
| Module, v3.2 |
Current Version: v3.2 Issued: 4 October 2012 Module template (for tools and modules) |
| Methodology Approval Process Submission Form, v3.1 |
Current Version: v3.1 Issued: 4 October 2012 Form for submitting a methodology element to the VCSA |
| Methodology Element Approval Request Form, v3.1 |
Current Version: v3.1 Issued: 4 October 2012 Form for requesting final approval of a methodology element from the VCSA |
| Methodology Assessment Report Template, v3.0 |
Current Version: v3.0 Issued: 19 October 2011 Report template for validation/verification bodies conducting a first or second methodology assessment. |
| Methodology Expert Application Form, v3.3 |
Current Version: v3.3 Issued: 4 October 2012 Form for submitting an application to become a methodology assessment expert |
| Accession Representation, v3.0 |
Current Version: v3.0 Issued: 8 March 2011 Deed of representation issued in respect of project proponents joining a project |
| Partial Release Representation, v3.0 |
Current Version: v3.0 Issued: 8 March 2011 Deed of representation issued in respect of project proponents leaving a project |
| VCU Conversion Representation, v3.1 |
Current Version: v3.1 Issued: 4 October 2012 Deed of representation issued in respect of conversion of GHG credits into VCUs |
| VCS+CCB Project Description Template, v3.0 |
Current Version: v3.0 Issued: 26 November 2012 Project description template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards |
| VCS+CCB Monitoring & Implementation Report Template, v3.0 |
Current Version: v3.0 Issued: 26 November 2012 Monitoring and implementation report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards |
| VCS+CCB Validation Report Template, v3.0 |
Current Version: v3.0 Issued: 26 November 2012 Validation report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards |
| VCS+CCB Verification Report Template, v3.0 |
Current Version: v3.0 Issued: 26 November 2012 Verification report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards |
| Validation and Verification Manual |
Supports validation/verification bodies (VVBs) and other VCS stakeholders to consistently and accurately interpret VCS Program requirements and procedures. |
| VCS+CCB Project Development Process |
Guides project developers pursuing project certification under VCS and the Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards |
| Guidance for Standardized Methods |
Assists methodology developers apply standardized methods requirements set out in the VCS Standard and Methodology Approval Process. |
| Guidance for Loss Events |
Provides examples for determining the proper number of credits to be placed on hold or cancelled due to a loss event in a Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) project. |
| Guidance for ARR Applying CDM Methodologies |
Clarifies how Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR) projects must follow VCS AFOLU Requirements and a CDM Afforestation/Reforestation (A/R) methodology. |
| Guidance for ARR Calculating Long-Term Average Carbon Stock |
Provides scenarios for calculating the average carbon stock over various harvesting cycles for Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR) and Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects. |
