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Glossary of Abbreviations and Terminology
| Word or abbreviation | Description |
|---|---|
| AFOLU | Afforestation, Forestry and Other Land Use |
| Additionality | Additional Projects reduce emissions beyond the “business as usual” scenario and can prove Additionality by applying one of the approved Additionality Component Methodologies or by meeting the requirements of the ICS’s published Positive List. |
| Afforestation, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) | Activities related to land use, land-use change, and the management of forests and other types of vegetation. |
| Appointed Representative | A represented appointed by a Project Owner to undertake ICS-related actions on behalf of the Project Owner. ICS-related actions may include the development or submission of project documents. |
| Attestation of Voluntary Cancelation | Document issued on cancelation of ICCs in the ICS. |
| Auditor, Accredited Auditor | A professional, or professions organisation that performs any auditing function for projects listed on the ICS. Auditors must be accredited by a body that is affiliated to the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). |
| Baseline Data | Baseline data is the data related to the baseline scenario, prior to Project implementation. Baseline data sets are used in the Baseline Component Methodologies to calculate the Baseline Emissions. |
| Baseline Emissions | The emissions that would have occurred if the Project were not implemented. These emissions are determined in accordance with Baseline Component Methodology used by the Project. |
| Baseline Scenario | The situation prior to the implementation of the Project. |
| CDM | Clean Development Mechanism |
| COAS | South African Carbon Offset Administration System |
| Carbon Credit (See ‘Inclusive Carbon Credit’.) | Means a unit issued by a Carbon Standard representing the achievement of a greenhouse gas emission reduction or removal in an amount of one (1) metric tonne of CO2 equivalent. Recordation of a VCU in the account of the holder at the Verra registry is prima facie evidence of that holder’s entitlement to that VCU. |
| Carbon Offset Administration System (COAS) | The digital platform used by the SA government to manage and facilitate the administration, tracking, and reporting of carbon offset projects and carbon credits. |
| Carbon Standard | Means a Carbon Standard recognised by the ICS as a mechanism to enable the validation of GHG reduction projects and programs, the verification of GHG emission reductions and removals and the issuance of carbon credits and includes the following standards: • The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM); • The Verified Carbon Standard (VCS);and • The Gold Standard |
| Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) | A project-based mechanism established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that allows developed countries to invest in emission reduction projects in developing countries as a way to offset their own greenhouse gas emissions. |
| Combined Validation and Verification Report | Accredited Auditor reports that include requests to either Project Validation and Verification. A Combined Validation and Verification Report may also include with requests for new or revised Component Methodologies. Combined Validation and Verification Reports may be compiled and submitted during Verification. |
| Component Methodologies | A methodology that deals with a specific aspect of the implementation of a project. There are four types of Component Methodologies: • Project details; • Additionality; • Baseline; and • Monitoring and emission reduction calculations. |
| Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) | to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The UNFCCC provides a framework for international cooperation and negotiations to address climate change, promote sustainable development, and support the adaptation and mitigation efforts of its member countries. |
| Core Carbon Principles | A global benchmark for credible, high-integrity carbon credits, published by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM). |
| Credit Owner | The lawful owner of Credits accruing from the registered Project. |
| Crediting Period | The period during which a Project can earn credits. This is 10 years for emission reduction projects and 100 years for greenhouse gas removal projects. |
| Crediting Period End Date | The date on which the Project’s Crediting Period ends. See Crediting Period. |
| Crediting Period Start Date | The earliest date on which monitoring of the Project’s Emission Reduction or Removal activity commenced. The Crediting Period Start Date must fall after the date on which the Project is Registered with the ICS. |
| Emission Reductions/Removals | The emissions that are reduced (through mitigation activities) or removed (through sinks) as a result of the registered Project. |
| Environmental Integrity | the assurance that the implementation and operation of an emission reduction or carbon removal project has resulted in the direct removal of at least 1 ton of CO2 equivalent from the global atmosphere for every ICC credit issued by the ICS. |
| Environmental Integrity Committee | The group of people that performs the governance function, as specified in the ICS. |
| FTFA | Food and Trees for Africa |
| Food and Trees for Africa (FTFA) | A non-profit organization that focuses on sustainable development, environmental conservation, and food security in Africa. Their initiatives include tree planting, permaculture training, food gardens, and environmental education to improve the livelihoods of communities and promote environmental sustainability. |
| Founders | The Founders of the ICS are Food & Trees for Africa NPC and Promethium Two Degrees NPC |
| GHG | Greenhouse Gas |
| GWP | Global Warming Potential |
| Global Warming Potential (GWP) | A measure of the capability of a greenhouse gas to trap heat in the atmosphere over a specific time period, relative to carbon dioxide. It is used to compare the warming effects of different greenhouse gases and is often expressed as a factor relative to carbon dioxide (CO2), with CO2 having a GWP of 1. |
| Greenhouse Gas (GHG) | Gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming. These gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases. GHGs are primarily emitted through human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, and they play a significant role in climate change. |
| IAF | International Accreditation Forum |
| ICC | Inclusive Carbon Credit |
| ICROA | International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance |
| IPCC | Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |
| Inclusive Carbon Credit(s) or ICC(s) | An Inclusive Carbon Credit is a carbon credit token issued by the ICS that represents an absolute reduction of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Each credit represents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e). Recordation of an ICC in the account of the holder on the ICC IoT system is prima facie evidence of that holder’s entitlement to that ICC. |
| Inclusive Carbon Platform | The electronic web portal [drafting note: provide hyperlinked url address] where Component Methodologies, Project Summaries and Monitoring Reports are developed and managed. The Platform is also a repository of ICS related information, such as approved Component Methodologies, registered Project Summaries, governance documents and others, as required. |
| Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) | An independent governance body for the voluntary carbon market, constituted to set and enforce a definitive global threshold, drawing on the best science and expertise available. The purpose of this is to ensure that high-quality carbon credits efficiently mobilize finance towards urgent mitigation and climate resilient development. |
| Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) | A scientific body established by the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization to provide policymakers with objective and comprehensive information on climate change. The IPCC assesses the latest scientific, technical, and socio-economic literature to evaluate the risks and impacts of climate change, as well as potential adaptation and mitigation strategies. Its reports serve as key references for policymakers, informing international climate negotiations and policy decisions at various levels of governance. |
| International Accreditation Forum (IAF) | The world association of Conformity Assessment Accreditation bodies and other bodies interested in conformity assessment in the fields of management systems, products, services, personnel, and other similar programs of conformity assessment. |
| International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA) | A global non-profit organization that represents companies in the carbon market. ICROA works to promote sustainable and effective carbon management and supports the development of innovative approaches to address climate change. |
| Internet of Things (IoT) | A network of interconnected physical devices, vehicles, appliances, and other objects that are embedded with sensors, software, and network connectivity. These devices collect and exchange data, enabling them to communicate and interact with each other and with the broader internet. IoT technology allows for seamless integration and automation of various systems and processes, enabling real-time monitoring, control, and analysis of data. In the context of the ICS, IoT devices can be used to gather and transmit data related to measured variables as defined by Component Methodologies, facilitating more efficient and sustainable practices. |
| IoT | Internet of Things |
| Issuance | The generation and allocation of ICCs by the ICS to a Project Owner, following the successful verification of an Emission Reductions achieved by a Project. |
| Landmark Project | The first Project of its kind registered with the ICS. Landmark Projects establish the principles upon which Succeeding Projects may be registered in an expedited manner. |
| Landmark Value | A validated value that may be used by subsequent Project Owners/Appointed Representatives when compiling Project Summaries or Monitoring Reports. For example, a validated grid emission factor or a technology penetration rate may become Landmark Values. A Landmark Value must be approved for use in the ICS by the Environmental Integrity Committee. Landmark Values may have certain constraints, such as limited time periods for application. A list of approved Landmark Values will be published on the ICS Platform |
| MSP | Membership Service Provider |
| Methodology | A set of approved rules that must be followed in the implementation of a Project. See also Component Methodology. |
| Methodology Proponent | A person that proposes a new methodology or component methodology |
| Monitored Data | Monitored data sets are produced during Project operation as a result of the implementation of the Monitoring Component Methodology. Monitored data sets are used in the calculation of the Project Emissions and Emission Reductions/Removals. Monitored Data sets are documented in the Monitoring Report submitted on requests for Verification and Issuance of Emission Reductions/ Removals. |
| Monitoring Period | The period in which the Issuance of ICCs is requested or approved. |
| Monitoring Period End Date | The date on which the Monitoring Period ends. |
| Monitoring Period Start Date | The date on which the Monitoring Period starts. |
| Monitoring Report | The report developed by a Project Owner/ Appointed Representative outlining the request for Issuance of ICCs during the specified Monitoring Period. |
| Post Registration Change | Actual or proposed changes to the implementation, operation or monitoring of the registered Project. |
| Project | A Project is a defined activity that results in the reduction or removal of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. |
| Project Development | The process whereby a Project is developed and registered with the ICS. |
| Project Emissions | The greenhouse gas emissions occurring as a result of the operation of the Project. These emissions are determined in accordance with Monitoring and Emission Reduction Calculations Component Methodology used by the Project. |
| Project Owner | The legal owner(s) of the project. See Appointed Representative. |
| Project Report | A document that describes the Project. This document forms that basis of Project Registration. It has four parts: • Project details; • Additionality; • Baseline; and • Monitoring and Emission Reduction Calculations |
| Project Transition | Means the transition of a GHG reduction project from the CDM, VCS or Gold Standard to the ICS. |
| Public Observers | Any person who wishes to access information on projects registered with the ICS. This relates to the issuance, transfer of ownership and retirement of credits on the network. |
| Registration | The formal acceptance by the ICS of a carbon offset Project. Registration is only achieved after formal Validation of a project by an Accredited Auditor. Projects can only issue Credits after they have been registered. |
| Registry | The electronic database wherein Carbon Credits are stored. The Registry provides information relating to the ownership of Credits by providing and assigning a serial number for each verified Credit. |
| Renewal of Crediting Period | Emission Reduction Projects that have a Crediting Period of 10 years may apply to the ICS to renew the Crediting Period. |
| Rules of the ICS, ICS Rules | Means the rules of the ICS as contained in the suite of documents that define the Standard |
| Secretariat | The ICS Secretariat that assists the Environmental Integrity Committee to manage the affairs of the ICS. The Secretariat performs the secretariat functions related to the administration of the ICS. |
| Standard | The document outlining the Principles, Scope, Use and overarching rules of the ICS. |
| Technical Sub committee | The committee that forms part of the ICS Environmental Integrity Committee and is responsible for the approval and withdrawal of Component Methodologies. May have subcommittees. |
| Tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) | A unit of measurement used to quantify the global warming potential of greenhouse gas emissions. It represents the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that would have the same impact on climate change as the combined effect of other greenhouse gases, such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). This unit is used to compare and aggregate emissions from different greenhouse gases, allowing for a standardized measure of their climate impact. By expressing emissions in tCO2e, it enables organizations and individuals to assess and manage their overall greenhouse gas footprint and track progress in reducing emissions. |
| UNFCCC | United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change |
| United Nations Framework | An international treaty established in 1992 to address the issue of global climate change. Its main objective is |
| VCS | Verified Carbon Standard |
| Validation | The process of independent evaluation of an emission reduction or removal project by an Accredited Auditor according to the requirements of the ICS, on the basis of the information provided in the Project Summary and supporting documentation. Validation can be undertaken by Accredited Auditors (in the case of Landmark Projects) or by the Environmental Integrity Committee (in the case of Succeeding Projects). |
| Validation Report | The report submitted by an Accredited Auditor to the ICS Secretariat requesting Validation of a Project. |
| Verification | The periodic independent evaluation and ex post determination of monitored Emission Reductions or Removals of greenhouse gases that have occurred as a result of a registered Project. Verifications can only be undertaken by Accredited Auditors either physically or remotely, as determined by the relevant Monitoring Component Methodology. |
| Verification Report | The report submitted by an Accredited Auditor to the ICS Secretariat requesting Issuance of a Credits as contained in the Project Monitoring Report. |
| Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) | A global standard used to certify greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction projects and carbon offset credits. It provides a framework for validating, verifying, and monitoring projects that reduce GHG emissions and issue carbon credits. |
| Voluntary Cancellation | The prima facie evidence that issued ICCs were retired on the ICS, as per the cancellation request logged by the Project Owner/Appointed Representative on the ICS system. |
| tCO2e | Tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent |