Requirements - Digital MRV Solutions

Digital measurement, reporting and verification (dMRV) solutions can generate data that supports certification under Gold Standard for the Global Goals (GS4GG). The draft sets out how the existing validation and verification process, with Gold Standard review, assesses these solutions.

The requirements cover digital data integrity and traceability, solution architecture, computational models, change control, third-party solution providers, missing data and the role of Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs). They also propose a framework for recognising a dMRV solution assessed in one activity so it can be used in other activities within defined limits. VVBs may rely on that assessment, while still assessing how the solution is used in each activity. The requirements introduce an Interim Issuance Track under defined conditions.

The proposed requirements:

• Establish how VVBs assess dMRV conformity during validation and verification, with Gold Standard review under the existing GS4GG process. They do not create a separate Gold Standard approval track.
• Set requirements for digital evidence, including data integrity, traceability, audit trails, access controls, data retention and recovery.
• Require computational models in the creditable data chain to be evaluated for their stated use, with controls proportionate to their influence on certified quantities.
• Allow VVBs to rely on a solution assessed in one activity to be used in another, within defined limits. VVBs still assess how the solution is used in each activity, without repeating the full solution assessment.
• Provide for conservative treatment of affected quantities where data is unavailable or a requirement has not been demonstrated. The activity is not automatically excluded.
• Allow activities to use an Interim Issuance Track under specified conditions, with limits on the quantity issued and reconciliation at a later Full Issuance Track verification.

We are particularly seeking feedback on:

• observation timing;
• the sample of data retained for corroboration;
• plausibility controls;
• data-availability thresholds;
• interim issuance limits and adjustments;
• affiliation restrictions for solution providers and VVBs;
• intervals between physical site visits; and
• validation and verification reporting requirements.

Specific questions are given in the document for stakeholders’ reference.