Propose a Project
Project proponents are invited to submit their projects for evaluation and inclusion on the Registry. To earn credits, projects are evaluated under the requirements of the SCS Global Registry Standard and applicable Project Category Rule (PCR). If there is no relevant PCR, an organization may elect to sponsor the development of a new Project Category Rule. Credits may only be sold and retired once a project's validated climate achievements have been verified by an approved third-party VVB.
Our Registry is unique in offering two levels of credits: Standard Credits and Full Value Credits.
- Standard Credits (Level 1) — Standard Credits are issued to projects that can successfully demonstrate the reduction or removal of greenhouse gases. Credits calculations are based on tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e) using the 100-year global warming potential (GWP-100). In other words, the climate effect of reducing or removing one ton of any greenhouse gas in a given year is determined based on its effects over a 100-year time horizon. This approach has been widely used since the late 1990s.
- Full Value Credits (Level 2) — Full Value Credits provide a more complete accounting of the benefits of reducing or removing well-mixed GHGs, as well as high-potency short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) and other climate forcers, such as changes in albedo, not addressed under Standard Credits. Full Value Credits are calculated based on updated, scientifically peer-reviewed climate accounting protocols developed in accordance with the latest IPCC climate science, and are issued in tonnes of carbon dioxide forcing equivalents (CO₂fe) reduced in a given year. In addition, the future value of Level 2 credits can also be calculated for fixed time horizons, such as over the project period, or from project onset date to 2030 or 2050, as well as over a time horizon of 100 years, similar to GWP-100. This precise, multi-pronged approach builds in added level of transparency and understanding among both buyers and sellers of credits of how projects can support near-term and long-term climate mitigation goals.
A Note on Additionality and Leakage
To be credible, credits generated must be determined to be "additional" – that is, represent benefits (e.g., emissions reductions or removals) that would not otherwise have occurred without the project. The validation and verification process confirms the project’s additionality. In addition, the VVB must determine whether there is any “leakage” – that is, whether the project will result in increasing climate impacts elsewhere. If so, then this leakage is subtracted from the credits issued.
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1. Online Application
Tell us about yourself. Please provide basic information on the short on-line application form to get the process started. If your project does not fall within a category with an approved Project Category Rule (PCR), click here to learn how to develop a new PCR.
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2. Review Manual and Agreement
Review the Project Proponent Manual, which explains the process, then review and sign the Registry Service Agreement.
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3. Submit Project Plan
Develop your Project Plan, using the Project Plan Template, in which you describe the proposed project activities, the baseline and project scenarios, the anticipated climate benefits, and any expected co-benefits or trade-offs.
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4. Select Validation/Verification Body
Choose an approved Validation and Verification Body to conduct the third-party project validation and verification steps below.
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5. Complete Project Validation
Undergo third-party project validation assessment by the VVB, then upload your VVB’s completed Validation Report.
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6. Launch Project
Undertake your project consistent with the validated Project Plan. A project page is published on the Registry website.
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7. Complete Project Verification
Undergo third-party project verification assessment by VVB, then upload your VVB’s completed Verification Report.
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8. Issue Credits
List credits on the Registry Portal, suitable for marketing purposes.
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9. Monitor and Report
Continue to monitor the project to ensure that it conforms to the validated Project Plan and verified results, or that any deviations are identified and addressed as needed, as confirmed by the VVB.