Disclaimer: The intellectual property rights of all materials in this document are owned by Capturiant. The information provided in this document is subject to change.
Methodology Sources:
The application of rigorous methodologies is foundational to the integrity and success of the Capturiant program. These methodologies serve as the blueprint for qualifying and quantifying the Environmental and Sustainable Development Benefits (ESDBs) of projects within the framework of The Capturiant Standard.
Project developers may bring any publicly available methodology to Capturiant for consideration. Project developers may also create their own methodology with help from a consultant or expert, regardless of other affiliations, without creation of any conflict of interest. Regardless of origin, all methodologies must pass the validation process measured against The Capturiant Standard in order for projects to be accepted onto the Capturiant Registry.
A methodology eligible to be submitted for consideration under the Capturiant program may be:
- directly adopted from an applicable standard,
- adopted and updated to meet specific project needs, or
- uniquely developed to reflect the distinct mitigation objectives of a project.
After review and acceptance, methodologies may be added to the Capturiant Approved Methodologies List, a regularly updated repository of methodologies that have been vetted and approved for use within the Capturiant program. As of this publication date, Capturiant itself does not author or issue methodologies directly from the standard.
Methodology Standards:
The Capturiant program encourages project developers to engage in a collaborative process to identify or create methodologies that not only comply with but also exceed the benchmarks set by The Capturiant Standard. This approach ensures that all methodologies maintain a high level of credibility, transparency, and effectiveness, ultimately contributing to the program's overarching goals of environmental conservation and sustainable development.
All Methodologies, regardless of origin, must include the following minimum standards:
1) Clear definitions of project applicability or eligibility criteria for participation
2) Make a determination of the accounting boundary
3) Clarify determination of additionality and permanence
4) Establish the baseline scenario(s) against which projects must be compared
5) Method and classification for quantification of GHG emission reductions or removals
6) Define monitoring practices to be used
Monitoring Guidelines and Best Practices:
The Capturiant program is dedicated to ensuring the highest quality of environmental and sustainable development projects through its robust guidelines and best practices. This section outlines specific guidelines that underpin our commitment to quality, emphasizing the importance of rigorous monitoring practices to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of both methodologies and projects. These guidelines are intended to support project developers in adhering to The Capturiant Standard and are not hard requirements for every project and methodology. Every circumstance is unique and Capturiant reserves the right to use discretion when making any decision in regards to methodology approval.
- Baseline and Project Monitoring:
o Establish clear baseline scenarios against which project impacts can be measured
o Continuously monitor project activities to ensure they align with the proposed methodology and deliver the expected outcomes
- Data Collection and Management:
o Use rigorous data collection protocols to ensure accuracy, reliability, and relevance of all facts and figures
o Have secure and efficient data management systems for storing and processing collected data
- Emission Reductions and Removals:
o Quantification of greenhouse gas emissions reduced or removed should use science-based calculation tools and formulas
o Validate emission reduction and removal potential by independent assessment
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment:
o Make ongoing assessments of the project's environmental and social impacts to ensure positive outcomes and address any negative impacts
o Include local community’s feedback in impact assessments
- Reporting and Documentation:
o Prepare detailed and transparent reports of monitoring results, including methodologies used, data collected, and calculations performed
o Maintain comprehensive documentation for verification and audit purposes
- Transparency and Stakeholder Engagement:
o Ensure transparency in all monitoring activities and results
o Actively engage stakeholders in monitoring process and incorporate their input
- Verification:
o Schedule regular, independent verification of monitoring results to ensure compliance with the methodology and overall program rules
- Adaptation and Improvement:
o Adapt monitoring strategies based on project performance, technological advancements, and stakeholder feedback
o Continuously improve monitoring practices to enhance accuracy and efficiency
Recommended Methodology Development Procedures:
By setting clear, accessible paths for the development, adaptation, and application of methodologies, the Capturiant program empowers project developers to contribute meaningfully to Environmental and Sustainable Development Goals (ESDGs), ensuring their projects align with the highest standards of environmental integrity and impact. Methodology developers are encouraged to follow the below guidelines in the creation process. However, following these guidelines does not guarantee acceptance nor does foregoing a step preclude a methodology from consideration. Capturiant reserves the right to use discretion when making any decision in regard to methodology approval.
- Identify Methodology Needs:
o Begin with a comprehensive assessment of market and environmental trends to identify gap areas where new methodologies are needed
• May involve analyzing project-specific requirements, environmental goals, and sustainability objectives to ensure the development of a methodology that is both relevant and effective
o Solicit and incorporate input from a wide range of stakeholders, including environmental scientists, industry experts, community representatives, project developers, and NGOs where appropriate
- Research and Development:
o Conduct extensive research, including literature review and case studies, to inform the development of robust methodologies
o Collaborate with academic and research institutions for technical expertise and concept validation
o Ensure that the methodology aligns with international environmental and sustainability standards while adhering to globally recognized principles
- Drafting of Methodology:
o Create draft methodology with a dedicated team of experts, focusing on ensuring accuracy, feasibility, and alignment with international standards and best practices
o Incorporate innovative approaches and technologies to enhance efficiency, address emerging environmental challenges, take advantage of opportunities, and make an impact effective in driving sustainable development
- Stakeholder Consultation:
o Engage a wide range of stakeholders for feedback on draft methodologies, ensuring inclusivity and diverse perspectives
o Hold workshops and public forums/consultations allowing for detailed discussions with broader input and refinement
• Feedback from this phase may help ensure the methodology's practicality and effectiveness across different contexts
- Pilot Testing:
o Implement pilot projects to test practical application and effectiveness of methodologies where possible
o Collect data and feedback from pilot projects to refine the methodology as appropriate
- Review and Finalization:
o Complete a thorough review of the methodology by internal and external experts to confirm integrity, transparency, and environmental soundness
o Make final adjustments based on reviews and pilot project outcomes
- Approval and Publication:
o Upon completion of the consultation and revision processes, the methodology may be submitted for formal approval by the relevant committee or authority
o Once approved, it is published with comprehensive documentation and made accessible to Project Developers and other stakeholders, ensuring transparency and widespread applicability
- Monitoring and Updating:
o Continuous monitoring of performance and impact in real-world applications ensures methodologies remain accurate, relevant, and effective
o Methodologies are subject to regular reviews and updates to incorporate new scientific findings, technological advancements, and feedback from implementation
This structured approach recommendation to methodology development underlines the Capturiant program's commitment to rigorous standards, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement. By adhering to these guidelines, methodology developers can help to ensure that methodologies are capable of accurately quantifying and validating the ESDBs of projects, thereby contributing to the program’s overarching objective for meaningful impact.
Methodology Revision Guidelines
In alignment with the dynamic nature of environmental standards and sustainable practices, the Capturiant program recognizes the necessity for methodologies to evolve. Therefore, regular reviews are conducted to determine the need for developers to revise, update, or, if necessary, withdraw methodologies to ensure they remain relevant, effective, and aligned with current scientific understandings and regulatory requirements. This iterative process ensures that the methodologies continue to support the accurate quantification and validation of the ESDBs, reinforcing the program's commitment to environmental integrity and sustainable progress. However, following these guidelines do not guarantee acceptance nor does foregoing a step preclude a methodology update from consideration. Capturiant reserves the right to use discretion when making any decision in regard to methodology improvement approvals.
- External Review Schedule:
o A committee for reviewing active methodologies will meet, typically on an annual basis, to ensure they remain current and effective
o Capturiant reserves the right to initiate ad-hoc reviews in response to significant technological advancements, changes in environmental policies, major scientific discoveries, or any new information that may arise
- Continuous Monitoring and Feedback Loop:
o There will be ongoing monitoring of performance and relevance for existing methodologies in real-world applications
o Feedback from project developers, auditors, and other stakeholders to identify areas needing updates is encouraged and will be incorporated
- Adaptation to Market and Environmental Changes:
o Responsiveness to changes in carbon markets, regulatory environments, and climate science is expected to ensure methodologies are aligned with the latest developments and best practices
o Developers may update methodologies to reflect new emission factors, technological innovations, and scientific understanding
- Stakeholder Engagement in Updates:
o Holding consultations, workshops, and public forums to gather diverse inputs and build consensus on updates is encouraged for methodology developers
o Updates may involve a broad range of stakeholders in the process, including environmental experts, industry practitioners, and community representatives
- Approval and Implementation:
o Following a thorough review and update process, methodology revisions are subject to formal approval by the designated committee or authority
o Timely implementation of updated methodologies, with adequate notice and support provided to stakeholders for a smooth transition
Following the implementation of the provided guidelines and best practices for methodology revision, methodology developers are encouraged to resubmit their updated methodologies for reconsideration and approval. This process ensures that each current methodology not only meets but exceeds the standards set forth by the Capturiant program, thereby contributing to the program's goal of fostering high-quality, impactful environmental and sustainable development projects.
[Last Updated on 04.01.2024]