In terms of timeline, we have estimated times but these depend heavily on the speed at which project developers can reply to the Corrective Action Requests (CARs), if any, that are raised either during the independent third-party audits or during the reviews done by SustainCERT and the Gold Standard (GS) Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Below is the and estimated timeline of each review stage:

  • Preliminary Review: The process starts once a project developer submits all required templates and supporting information as required by Gold Standard for the Global Goals Land-Use and Forests Activity Requirements and SustainCERT receives confirmation that the review fee has been paid. The overall process is expected to last (in theory) 4 weeks from the moment all documents are uploaded by a project developer and SustainCERT receives confirmation on the review fee being paid. Of course, the actual time varies depending on how long a project developer takes to reply to the CARs.
  • Validation audit: timeline and depends on each Validation and Verification Body (VVB). This must be discussed between the project developer and the selected VVB. A field site visit is required.
  • Project Design Certification: 3 weeks assuming all CARs have been adequately addressed by a project developer. This timeframe does not include the time of the required independent third-party audit.
  • Verification audit: timeline depends on each VVB. This must be discussed between the project developer and the selected VVB. A field site visit is required.
  • Performance Certification: 3 weeks assuming all CARs have been adequately addressed by a project developer. This time does not include the time of the required independent third-party audit.
  • Soil Carbon Review: This is optional and meant for afforestation/reforestation (A/R) projects that wish to claim verified emission reductions (VERs) from soil carbon. It takes 2 weeks assuming all CARs have been adequately addressed by a project developer. This step does not require an independent third-party audit.