The aim of the Integrity Council is to help ensure that voluntary carbon markets fulfil their potential to accelerate progress on combatting climate change. Its global threshold standard for carbon credit quality, draws on the best science and expertise available, with a view to also ensuring that high-quality carbon credits efficiently mobilise finance towards urgent climate action.
After publishing the full Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) Assessment Framework and Assessment Procedure in July 2023, the Integrity Council is now ready to start the work on continuous improvement.
Why is continuous improvement needed?
To understand and identify emerging best practices and innovative approaches to addressing key complex issues in the VCM requires work, analysis and expertise. The understandings and reports of the 10 Continuous Improvement Work Programs covering the topics listed below, will feed into the revised version of the Assessment Framework due at the end of 2025.
Who is in the Continuous Improvement Work Programs (CIWPs) and how are they chosen?
We invite individuals to apply to join our Continuous Improvement Work Programs by applying to be on a roster of experts. Initial placement on the roster will be for a period of two years with a possibility of renewal. Please note, this call is for a broad mix of expertise, including policy and technical expertise on the relevant topics. Expert applicants may be from any sector, such as civil society, environmental non-government organizations, business and public sector. Experts should have specialised and extensive knowledge in the relevant topics of this call and be able to provide evidence of that expertise if required.
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive membership, including geographical and gender mix and IP&LC representation. Each CIWP core group of experts will reflect diverse set of knowledge and skills within the topic and subject matter, as well as reflect diverse stakeholder interests.
The individuals who respond to the call for experts will be invited to identify their respective expertise against a list of relevant criteria for the particular CIWP. We may invite certain known professionals to apply to participate in the CIWP and will aim to ensure that individuals are in not more than one CIWP, to ensure broad participation.
Members will be required to agree to be bound by conflict of interest and confidentiality obligations and adhere to a Code of Conduct. We will then conduct a shortlisting process and make recommendations to the board.
Topics:
- Paris Alignment 1 (Corresponding adjustment)
- Paris Alignment 2 (Share of Proceeds for Adaptation (SOPA))
- Paris Alignment 3 (Baselines and Nationally Determined Contributions)
- Permanence
- Sustainable Development Benefits and Social Safeguards (*includes Benefit Sharing)
- Digital Measurement, Reporting and Validation (MRV)
- Market Transparency, Standardization and Scalability
- Oversight of Validation / Verification Bodies (VVBs) and Measurement, Reporting and Validation (MRV) systems
- Simplified approaches for small projects
- Jurisdictional Crediting Approaches
Time commitment
The Continuous Improvement Work Programs will hold virtual 3-hour meetings approximately once a month for approximately six months. CIWPs 1-5 will start during the second half of 2023 and run into the first quarter of 2024. CIWPs 6-10 will start early in 2024 and run to the end of July 2024.
In addition, members should plan for preparation time and time to comment after meetings. Additional meetings may be scheduled as needed.
The first round of applicants will be reviewed on 20 October. Applications submitted by 23:59 BST will be considered in this first round. There is currently no deadline and later applications will be in a second round.
*Please note that the work of the Continuous Improvement Work Programs (CIWPs) is not remunerated.
Please also note that we are also currently seeking experts to participate in our multi-stakeholder working groups as an integral part of our assessment process. Find out more about MSWGs here.
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