This is an assessment of the design of a greenhouse gas emissions reduction project. Validation is a requirement for all CDM projects. It validates whether the project — if implemented as planned — will fulfil the CDM requirements and generate tradable credits.

The validation is carried out by an operating entity, i.e. an accredited third party verifier.

During the validation, we will analyse the project design document (PDD). This includes:

• Project design. General project information, technical features of the project, project implementation plan, sustainable development indicators, and timeframes.
  
  
• Baseline study. A study of factors used for estimating expected emissions without the project (the baseline emissions).
  
  
• Monitoring and verification plans. Description of frequency, responsibilities and methods you have for monitoring, measurements and calculations of your GHG emissions, including a verification schedule.

We collaborate with both host and investor during the validation, which may include interviews with project participants and stakeholders.

Public hearing
As part of the assessment, the project design document is subject to public hearing for 30 days. Stakeholders can provide comments to the PDD on our online Climate Change project portfolio.

Following a successful validation, the operating entity will recommend that the project is accepted and registered as a CDM project. Registration is a prerequisite for later verification/certification of emissions reduction of the projects activities. The validation report is sent to the CDM Executive Board, and posted on our online Climate Change project portfolio.

Where do I go from here?
After implementation, you have to get verification/certification of the project at regular intervals. You are generally required to hire a different operating entity for this task than the one used in the validation.