Criterias of climate project
This material discusses the climate project validation in accordance with national legislation. The procedure itself is an assessment and confirmation of the project’s compliance with the criteria for classification as climate-related. Appendix No. 1 to the Order of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia dated May 11, 2022, No. 248 defines the following criteria:
- Compliance with legislation: Project activities should not contradict federal and regional laws, as well as other regulatory acts. They must comply with documents of the national standardization system in the field of greenhouse gas emissions limitation.
- Reduction of emissions: Implementation of the project should lead to a reduction (prevention) of greenhouse gas emissions and/or increase in their absorption. This needs to be calculated in absolute and/or specific units.
- Prevention of greenhouse gas emissions leakage: Project activities should not lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions or a decrease in their absorption beyond the project’s area of influence.
- Absence of external factors: Reduction (prevention) of greenhouse gas emissions and/or increase in their absorption should be achieved precisely due to project activities, and not because of other factors.
- Additionalness: Project activities should be implemented above those that are already mandatory under the legislation of the Russian Federation.
Validation procedure
To carry out the validation of a climate project, it is necessary to adhere to the procedure established by Appendix No. 2 to the above-mentioned Order:
- Selection of an accredited body: The project executor selects a legal entity or individual entrepreneur accredited in the national accreditation system and not affiliated with the project executor to conduct validation.
- Conclusion of a contract: A contract is concluded for the validation between the validation body and the project executor. The contract determines the terms, cost of work, list of additional documents, and conditions for validation.
- Submission of documents: The project executor provides project descriptions and other documents and information specified in Appendix No. 2 to the Order to the validation body.
- Validation process: The validation body evaluates the submitted documents and information according to the criteria of climate projects.
- Preparation of validation report: Based on the validation results, the validation body prepares a validation report, which includes a conclusion on the validation of the project.
- Correction of deficiencies (if necessary): If deficiencies are identified during the validation process, the project executor is obliged to correct them in accordance with the contract terms.
- Receipt of a positive conclusion: Upon receiving a positive conclusion from the validation body, the project executor receives a validation report for the project with a positive conclusion.
- Initiation of inclusion in the registry of carbon units (if available): After receiving a positive conclusion, the project executor can initiate the inclusion of information about their climate project in the registry of carbon units.
Search and selection of validator
The list of bodies for validation and verification is published on the official website of Rosaccreditation at the link (access to the site is only available from the territory of the Russian Federation). It is necessary to search in the field “Type of activity direction” by the keyword in Russian “ОВВПГ” (Орган по валидации и верификации парниковых газов).
When choosing a body for validation of a climate project, besides the cost of services, it is worth considering its qualification. The subsequent stages of implementing a climate project depend on the quality of checking the project documentation and, if necessary, making improvements. A poor validation conclusion may be challenged later, leading to other consequences (cancellation of the decision on registration of the climate project, verification of the results of its implementation, issuance of carbon units).”
