How we assess
Ensuring integrity and confidence through assessments
The Integrity Council’s assessments of carbon crediting programs and categories are based on a rulebook, the Assessment Framework, which was developed in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders.
Assessments are a two-step process: carbon crediting programs are assessed for adherence to the Core Carbon Principles assessment criteria, as are the methodologies used to design and implement carbon crediting projects.
Carbon Crediting Programs
The assessment of carbon-crediting programs for CCP eligibility is one part of the ICVCM’s two tick assessment process.
Categories of Carbon Credits
The assessment of Categories of carbon credits for adherence to the CCPs is one part of the ICVCM’s two tick assessment process.
Assessment Status
See the latest assessment status for carbon crediting programs and categories of carbon credits on our assessment table.
Key Aspects of Our Assessment Process
Our Assessments Are Confidential
The assessments undertaken by the Integrity Council involve rigorous deliberation and evidence-based decision-making. To maintain the integrity of this process, the deliberations and assessment reports remain confidential. This ensures open and candid discussions among experts, free from fear of repercussions for their positions.
Confidentiality is a standard practice among technical advisory bodies and allows us to encourage thorough communication before decisions are made. Moreover, carbon crediting programs agree to this confidentiality as part of their application terms, ensuring a secure environment for constructive evaluation.
Ensuring a Wide Range of Views
The voluntary carbon market is as diverse as the stakeholders it serves, spanning project developers, Indigenous Peoples and/or local communities, NGOs, governments, corporates and more. This complexity requires input from a wide array of perspectives to ensure robust and informed decision-making.
Our assessments are guided by a multi-stakeholder approach that brings together world-class experts, researchers, and representatives from different communities. This inclusive process not only strengthens our rulebook and methodologies but also drives continuous improvement across the market.
Find out more about why this confidential, multi-stakeholder approach is at the heart of the Integrity Council’s decisions.
What Happens After Programs and Categories Are Approved
Approval under the Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) is just the beginning. Once CCP-Eligible, programs are required to maintain high standards by adhering to the Assessment Framework through robust governance, transparent complaint-handling, and faithful implementation of approved methodologies.
Annual reporting to the Integrity Council ensures ongoing compliance, while a risk-based oversight process – including spot checks, performance monitoring, and stakeholder input – helps identify and address issues. In cases of significant non-compliance, the Integrity Council may suspend or terminate CCP-Eligibility or approval.
This transparent and proportionate approach fosters market integrity, continuous improvement, and public confidence.
Our Assessment Framework
We assess carbon-crediting programs and Categories of credits for adherence to the Core Carbon Principles Assessment Framework. Our Assessment Framework is the rulebook that defines what a high-integrity carbon credit looks like.
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