Q&A

Is team composition change required including local experts or can the local expert be the same in all the teams?

There is no restriction on local experts.

If an audit team has already performed the RCP of a certain project, can the same audit team from the same VVB perform the second-last verification from the previous CP?

No, the renewal and verification are different. If a team has already performed the renewal of a project, the same team cannot perform the verification, even for the previous Crediting Period.

Does the GS auditor need to visit the site?

Please refer to Site Visit and Remote Audit Requirements ver 2.0 for more details (https://globalgoals.goldstandard.org/standards/112_V2.0_PAR_Site-Visit-and-Remote-Audit-Requirements.pdf)

Can the team be the same in alternate verifications? or team should be different for all verifications

The team can be the same, but VVB must decide when it’s best to change the team to avoid familiarity with the project and CoI.

Assume VVB onsite = 20 Sep 2023 for a 1st verification forest project, what should be the MP, is it OK if MP is 20 Sep 2018 to 19 Sep 2023 (maximum 5 years)? and any credit prior to 20 Sep 2018 should be foregone by the client, am I correct?

A project may request retroactive issuance of Certified Impact Statements and/or Products. The maximum period for retroactive issuance is three years – which starts either with the Project Start Date or three years prior to the date of Project Design Certification, whichever
occurs later. If a project did not conduct a second verification within 5 years, then they are in non-compliance with Gold Standard Rules and Requirements. However, if the project is energy sector: Projects may be eligible for retroactive crediting for realised emission reductions for a maximum of two years (three years for A/R and AGR) Projects.RU_2021_Applicability-of-minimum-site-visit-requirements-by-VVB: The VVB shall not verify the monitoring period falling before two years of the 1st site visit date. in this case, VVB onsite = 20 Sep 2023 for a 1st verification, PD can only claim realized ERs in the period from 20 Sep 2021 (not 20 Sep 2018) considering it is on or after the crediting period start date.

If the team leader and technical expert are different and the GS upload auditor is different, is it compulsory for the GS support auditor to visit the site or a team leader and technical expert can visit the site?

The team should collectively have the competence to perform the audit.
So in case the team leader and the expert are available for the site visit and the GS-approved alter is in the is as long as the GS-approved alter is part of the audit team.
So it is still accepted.

How to deal with the case of war zones?

GS approval will be required for deviations from the procedures or requirements. This also applies in the case of deviations encountered due to conflict/war zones. Annex B of Principle and Requirements shall be referred to in such cases https://globalgoals.goldstandard.org/101-par-principles-requirements/

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