PV Climate Methodologies Methodologies What are methodologies, modules and tools? The carbon benefits of Plan Vivo carbon (PV Climate) projects must be calculated using an approved methodology. Methodologies describe the procedures, data and parameters needed to estimate and monitor carbon benefits and can refer to approved modules and tools. To learn more about how a methodology works to calculate climate benefits, please visit the Estimating Climate Benefits page. PV Climate Methodologies may be either: Full – A single document that includes all information necessary to meet the Methodology Requirements without referring to other methodological elements. Modular – A methodology that refers to other methodological elements, whether internal or external to Plan Vivo, to meet the Methodology Requirements. Modular methodologies can refer to Modules or Tools: Module – A methodological element that describes the procedures, data, and parameters needed to estimate one or more parameter values in an approved Methodology. Tool – A methodological element that describes the procedures for performing specific analysis applied in an approved Methodology or Module. Approved methodologies, modules and tools can be used by PV Climate projects that meet their specified applicability conditions. If existing methodologies are not applicable to the project areas or project interventions in a proposed project, new methodologies, modules and tools can be submitted to Plan Vivo for approval. All PV Climate methodologies must conform to the PV Climate Methodology Requirements. Modules and/or tools may be submitted for assessment independently but must link to an overarching modular methodology in order for all Methodology Requirements to be met during the assessment process. To submit a methodology, module or tool, a developer must first complete and submit a Concept Note. After the Concept Note is approved, the submitted methodologies, modules and/or tools will be made available for public comment and be reviewed by the Plan Vivo Technical Review Panel (TRP) and an approved Validation and Verification Body (VVB) prior to approval. For a description of the full assessment process, please see the PV Climate Procedures Manual. Approved methodologies Name Code Type (methodology, tool, or module) Agriculture and Forestry Carbon Benefit Assessment Methodology PM001 Methodology Estimation of baseline and project GHG removals by carbon pools in Plan Vivo projects PU001 Module Estimation of baseline and project GHG emissions from carbon pools in Plan Vivo projects PU002 Module Estimation of baseline and project GHG emissions from emission sources in Plan Vivo projects PU003 Module Estimation of GHG emissions from leakage in Plan Vivo projects PU004 Module Estimation of uncertainty of carbon benefit estimates in Plan Vivo projects PU005 Module Small-holder Agriculture Monitoring and Baseline Assessment (SHAMBA) Tool PT001 Tool Estimation of Climate benefits from REDD in community-managed forests PT002 Tool Pipeline Methodology developers may submit methodologies, modules and/or tools for approval for use by projects under the PV Climate. Once a Concept Note has been approved, they enter the pipeline. For more information on the application and assessment process, please see the Procedures Manual. Methodologies, modules and tools undergoing Public Consultation For any undergoing public consultation, we welcome public comment on their appropriateness and compliance with the PV Climate. More information can be found in the Public Consultation Guidance Manual. Name Code Type (methodology, tool, or module) New or updated? Developer Closing date Estimation of baseline and project GHG removals by carbon pools in PV Climate projects PU001 Module Update The Landscapes and Livelihoods Group (TLLG), and Plan Vivo Foundation Technical Advisory Committee with financial support from the Darwin Initiative (Project DAR29020). 18th September 2024 Identification of degraded and degrading land in PV Climate projects N/A Tool New The Landscapes and Livelihoods Group (TLLG), and Plan Vivo Foundation Technical Advisory Committee with financial support from the Darwin Initiative (Project DAR29020). 18th September 2024 Guidance for the use of models validated with measurements in PV Climate projects N/A Tool New The Landscapes and Livelihoods Group (TLLG), and Plan Vivo Foundation Technical Advisory Committee with financial support from the Darwin Initiative (Project DAR29020). 18th September 2024 Other pipeline methodologies, modules and tools Name Code Type (methodology, tool, or module) Developer Progress Tree diameter growth modelling on smallholder farms TBC Tool Taking Root Concept note approved [Revision] Estimation of baseline GHG removals from woody biomass in forest restoration projects PU001 Module The Landscapes and Livelihoods Group (TLLG) Concept note approved Coastal Blue Carbon Methodology Concept Note TBC Methodology Blue Ventures Concept note approved Templates Concept notes and methodologies, modules and tools must be submitted using the standardised templates provided below: Document Description Methodology/ Module/ Tool Concept Note Concept note to indicate the intention to submit a methodology to estimate climate benefits. Please note that the concept note needs to be approved by Plan Vivo before we can accept methodologies for review. Methodology Template to submit a methodology to estimate climate benefits. Module or Tool Template to submit a module or tool to be added to a methodology. Approved approaches It should be noted that under V4 of the Plan Vivo Standard (released in 2013) approved approaches were applicable. These were tools to support project carbon benefit quantification, which underwent an alternative peer review process. Approved approaches were either generic, with a descriptive document and applicability criteria for other projects to follow, or specific to the context of a project. Find out more about former generic approved approaches. Manage Cookie Preferences