--- V ---

Validation
An independent validator checks that a CDM project fulfils the CDM's validation requirements and emission reduction really has taken place before it is sent to the Executive Board for registration. The constraints are specified in the Marrakech Accords. If the project does not meet the requirements, it will be at this point rejected from the project cycle.

Validators are private companies that must be registered at the UNFCCC as so-called Designated Operational Entities (DOE).

For validating a project to the Gold Standard, the same validator can be used at the same time as for the validation of the basic requirements. The validation documentation needs to explicitly state that the Gold Standards requirements have been met and substantiate why. The developer needs to submit this validation documentation to the Gold Standard in order to have his project registered as a Gold Standard project.

Voluntary Offsets
Individuals and organisations may choose to reduce their GHG emissions although not bound to do so under the Kyoto Protocol by buying carbon credits. Credits for such purposes are generally required in small quantities. Buyers generally purchase credits from smaller projects that are not interesting for a Kyoto compliance buyer. Although the project is smaller and does not go through the CDM project cycle, it must be validated and verified by an independent party. For the Gold Standard, validation by a DOE is necessary.

--- W ---

--- X ---

--- Y ---

--- Z ---