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? | Yes | Can 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
- Sampling plan prepared by IR
- Sampling plan validated by the auditor
- Sampling survey implemented by IR
- 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.
- Take a random sample of the Intervention’s records
- 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?