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The Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) is one of the most widely recognized global standards for certifying carbon reduction projects. It ensures that environmental projects like REDD+ Matavén meet strict criteria to deliver real, measurable, and permanent reductions in carbon emissions.
To receive VCS (Verified Carbon Standard) certification, projects must go through a structured and detailed validation process that ensures they meet international standards for carbon reduction. This process, overseen by an independent auditor, involves several key steps.
Project Design Document (PDD): The project developers first create a comprehensive plan, called a Project Design Document (PDD). This document outlines how the project will reduce carbon emissions, following VCS rules and approved methodologies. The PDD includes details on the project’s goals, its carbon reduction strategy, and how its performance will be monitored over time.
Onsite Visit: As part of the validation process, an on site visit is conducted by an independent auditor. The auditor physically inspects the project area, ensuring that the activities outlined in the PDD are being implemented correctly. This on site visit is essential to verify that the project is making tangible progress on the ground and not just on paper.
Independent Audit: After the on site visit, the independent auditor thoroughly reviews the PDD and all supporting documentation to ensure that the project complies with the VCS Standard. This audit confirms that the project is capable of delivering measurable and verifiable carbon reductions.
Validation: Once the independent audit is complete, the project is officially validated and recognized under the VCS. This means it can begin issuing carbon credits, representing the verified reduction of carbon emissions.
REDD+ Matavén has been validated under the VCS for a 30-year period (2013-2042), with ICONTEC serving as the independent auditor. This long-term certification reflects the project’s commitment to environmental protection and its ability to achieve sustained carbon reductions over time.
After a project is validated under VCS, it must undergo regular verification to ensure it continues to meet the standard’s requirements and deliver on its promised results. Verification is a multi-step process, similar to validation, and involves:
The project has been verified three times under VCS, demonstrating consistent performance and adherence to standards:
By consistently passing verification, REDD+ Matavén ensures transparency and accountability, building trust with stakeholders. Regular verification confirms that the project is delivering on its promises, contributing to meaningful climate action by reducing carbon emissions in a measurable and verifiable way.
