Lesson 1, Topic 1
In Progress

​Program Inclusion Criteria & Verification Sampling Approach

General Information & Description – 10.1 Inclusion Criteria

  • A Program can include an unlimited number of interventions, starting at different points in time after validation of their inclusion.​
  • An intervention may join the Program if it fulfills certain ‘inclusion criteria’ defined in the validated Program DD​
  • All new interventions joining the Program post-initial validation will have to apply the relevant validated quantification approach (per the respective activity) validated at the Program level ​
  • Inclusion criteria are detailed and validated during the initial validation of the IDD/ Program DD and then again every five years during revalidation​
  • These inclusion criteria must stipulate:
    • Geographical boundaries of each intervention/activity​
    • Types of sources of emissions and sinks for the corresponding type of intervention /activity​
    • Quantification Approaches for the corresponding types of activities ​
    • The Monitoring Plan for the corresponding type of activity

A Design Change is required if there is a change to the validated Program’s geography and quantification approach, as well as if new unvalidated activities are added.

Example of Inclusion Criteria Table

Set of eligibility criteria ID​1​
Geographic area ​Region: Central US, Hard Winter Wheat Class (reference, Location, Supply Shed)​
Can apply ER/carbon removals generating activities be defined in this set of eligibility criteria? ​Energy Solutions, Renewable Energy, Solar​
“Checklist” for new interventions intended to be included in the Program​
Eligibility Criteria​Compliant (Yes/ No)​Justification ​
Can apply the GHG quantification approach set out in the Program DD?​ ​YesCan apply ER/carbon removals generating activities be defined in this set of eligibility criteria? ​
Can apply ER/carbon removals generating activities defined in this set of eligibility criteria? ​ ​Yes​Same validated activity, (see table X in section y)​
Can apply the baseline scenarios defined in the Program DD, corresponding to this combination of geographic area and ER/carbon removals generating activities? ​​Yes​Same baseline scenario, same validated geography and activity (see map and table x,y, section z)
Can demonstrate causality as required in section 6 of the Program DD? ​ ​Yes ​See justification and documentation, section A

Note: When completing the Program DD for validation, you are expected to define the eligibility criteria in the table (i.e. Geographic Area and ER / Carbon removals generating activities). The “Checklist” will only be completed when new interventions join the program. ​

10.2 Verification Sampling Approach

  • In the context of a Program, a sampling approach to verification can be proposed and adopted if approved by the validation process. ​
  • This approach allows for only a subset of the included interventions to be fully verified in a given reporting year​
  • Sampling verification is possible whenever interventions are similar enough to lead to a sufficient level of assurance​
  • Sampling verification only applies to how verification will be conducted. ​
  • The approach should build on a risk-based assessment and typically consider risks related to the type of activity, uncertainty with monitoring, permanence, leakage, double-counting​

Overview of sampling requirements for Intervention Representative (IR) and auditor.

  • IF Sampling/survey plan designed by the IR  ​
  1. Sampling plan prepared by IR   ​
  2. Sampling plan validated by the auditor  ​
  3. Sampling survey implemented by IR   ​
  4. Sampling results and precision verified by the auditor  ​
  • IF Sampling/survey is not applied by the IR  ​

In the case of an Intervention/Program design submitted without a sampling plan, the auditor should apply a sampling approach for on-site visits and/or remote surveys as part of validation/verification.  ​

  1. Take a random sample of the Intervention’s records  ​
  2. Use professional judgment to check the acceptability of records  

Key Questions

  • Do you have a set of inclusion criteria that new interventions must meet for inclusion in the program?​
  • Have you provided a proposed sampling approach for the verification of interventions within the program?  ​
  • Is the sampling approach representative? i.e.- does it prescribe a sampling of a subset of data, from a larger group, that portrays similar characteristics?​
  • What sampling method, type, and techniques are being proposed?