# Welcome to the Open Carbon Protocol

{% hint style="info" %}
[View all approved projects here](https://pilot.ocp.earth/registry).

[View all approved methodologies here](https://pilot.ocp.earth/all-methodologies).
{% endhint %}

The [Open Carbon Protocol (OCP)](https://www.ocp.earth/) is a carbon and climate asset registry, providing the platform for:

* **Collaborative, fast and antifragile** [**methodology development**](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/methodologies/methodology-development-process)
  * Project Developers, NGOs and other methodology curators work with a global panel of 8-15 experts to get methodologies improved and approved in 6-7 months (average)
* **Digital, efficient and cooperative** [**project proposal**](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/project-proposal-process)**,** [**validation & verification**](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/third-party-validation-and-verification)**, and** [**credit issuance**](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/registry/credit-issuance-transfer-retirement)
  * Project Developers upload pre- and post-issuance information and data and can share directly with VVBs, brokers/buyers, ratings agencies and insurance providers.

## End-to-End Process Overview

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Methodology Development and Approval

{% content-ref url="<https://app.gitbook.com/o/0hxeOVsFaKB17ndS7i7w/s/J74f9z1HD7PVdEYWZTll/>" %}
[OCP Methodology Requirements](https://app.gitbook.com/o/0hxeOVsFaKB17ndS7i7w/s/J74f9z1HD7PVdEYWZTll/)
{% endcontent-ref %}

1. [Methodology Proposal](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/methodologies/methodology-development-process#proposing-a-new-methodology)
2. [Expert Feedback](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/methodologies/methodology-development-process#expert-review)
3. [Public Commentary](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/methodologies/methodology-development-process#public-commentary)
4. [Final Feedback and Voting](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/methodologies/methodology-development-process#final-feedback-and-vote)
5. [Methodology Updates](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/methodologies/methodology-updates)
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Project Proposal and Validation; Data Verification

1. [Project Proposal](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/project-proposal-process)
2. [Third Party Project Validation](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/third-party-validation-and-verification#project-validation)
3. [Third Party Data Verification](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/third-party-validation-and-verification#data-verification)
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Credit Issuance, Transfer, Retirements

1. [Credit Issuance](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/registry/credit-issuance-transfer-retirement)
2. [Credit Transfer](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/registry/credit-issuance-transfer-retirement#credit-transfer)
3. [Credit Retirement](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/registry/credit-issuance-transfer-retirement#credit-retirement)
   {% endstep %}
   {% endstepper %}

#### See how the OCP addresses the Core Carbon Principles:&#x20;

<details>

<summary>A. Governance</summary>

*1. Effective Governance:*&#x20;

* [OCP Governance Structure](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/governance/ocp-governance-structure) and [Independent Advisory Board](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/governance/ocp-governance-structure/ocp-board)
* [Conflict of Interest](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/governance/conflict-of-interest)
* [Annual Audit](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/governance/annual-audit-process) and [Annual Reports](#annual-reports)
* [Know-Your-Business, Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Bribery and Corruption](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/governance/know-your-business-kyb-anti-money-laundering-aml-anti-bribery-and-corruption-abc)
* [Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/governance/sustainability-ocp-environmental-and-social-impact)
* [Stakeholder Engagement and Complaints](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/governance/stakeholder-engagement-and-complaints)

*2. Tracking*

* [Credit Issuance, Transfer, Retirement](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/registry/credit-issuance-transfer-retirement)
* [Credit Cancellation](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/registry/credit-cancellation)
* [Registry Schema and Infrastructure](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/registry/registry-schema-and-infrastructure)
* [Certification and Labels](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/registry/certifications-and-labels): [CCP-Approved](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/registry/certifications-and-labels/ccp-core-carbon-principles), [CORSIA](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/registry/certifications-and-labels/corsia)

*3. Transparency*

* [Project Proposal Process](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/project-proposal-process)
* [OCP Registry Schema and Infrastructure](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/registry/registry-schema-and-infrastructure)

*4. Robust Independent Third-Party Validation and Verification*

* [Project Proposal](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/project-proposal-process)
* [Third-Party Validation and Verification](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/third-party-validation-and-verification)
  * [Working as a VVB on the OCP](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/third-party-validation-and-verification/working-as-a-vvb-on-the-ocp)
* [Credit Issuance](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/registry/credit-issuance-transfer-retirement)

</details>

<details>

<summary>B. Emissions Impact </summary>

*5. Additionality*&#x20;

* [**OCP Methodology Requirements**](https://app.gitbook.com/o/0hxeOVsFaKB17ndS7i7w/s/J74f9z1HD7PVdEYWZTll/): [4. Additionality](https://app.gitbook.com/s/J74f9z1HD7PVdEYWZTll/sections/4.-additionality)
* [Methodology Development Process](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/methodologies/methodology-development-process)
* [Project Proposal Process](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/project-proposal-process)

*6. Permanence*

* [**OCP Methodology Requirements**](https://app.gitbook.com/o/0hxeOVsFaKB17ndS7i7w/s/J74f9z1HD7PVdEYWZTll/): [8. Permanence](https://app.gitbook.com/s/J74f9z1HD7PVdEYWZTll/sections/8.-permanence)
* [Methodology Development Process](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/methodologies/methodology-development-process)
* [Project Proposal Process](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/project-proposal-process)
* [Mitigating Risk: Insurance and Buffer Pool](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/mitigating-reversal-risk-insurance-and-buffer-pool)

*7. Robust Quantification of Emissions*&#x20;

* [**OCP Methodology Requirements**](https://app.gitbook.com/o/0hxeOVsFaKB17ndS7i7w/s/J74f9z1HD7PVdEYWZTll/): [7. Quantification of GHG Emission](https://app.gitbook.com/s/J74f9z1HD7PVdEYWZTll/sections/7.1.-quantification-of-greenhouse-gas-emissions)
* [Methodology Development Process](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/methodologies/methodology-development-process)
* [Project Proposal Process](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/project-proposal-process)
* [Uncertainty](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/methodologies/uncertainty)

*8. No Double Counting*

* [No Double Counting](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/no-double-counting): [Double Issuance](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/no-double-counting#avoiding-double-issuance), [Double Use](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/no-double-counting#avoiding-double-use), [Double Claiming](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/no-double-counting#avoiding-double-claiming)
* [CORSIA](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/registry/certifications-and-labels/corsia)

</details>

<details>

<summary>C. Sustainable Development Benefits and Safeguards</summary>

* [Safeguards, Co-Benefits and SDGs](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/projects/safeguards-co-benefits-and-sdgs)

</details>

<details>

<summary>Additional Attributes </summary>

* [CCP Labelling](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/registry/certifications-and-labels/ccp-core-carbon-principles)
* [CORSIA Eligibility](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/registry/certifications-and-labels/corsia)
* Coming Soon:
  * Share of Proceeds for Adaption - voluntary project contribution to the UNFCCC's Adaptation Fund
  * Quantified Positive SDG Impacts - quantified SDG + Safeguards/Co-Benefits, in line with [*RMI's Carbon Crediting Data Framework*](https://rmi.org/our-work/climate-intelligence/carbon-markets-initiative/the-carbon-crediting-data-framework/)

</details>

## Annual Reports

{% file src="<https://2657567075-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQliKVc60bXYNfBciAKA8%2Fuploads%2FM5oivaxuXcgnZTTUkaRD%2FOCP%20Annual%20Report%202025.pdf?alt=media&token=1771a093-cffb-4054-8e4f-73138106bec3>" %}

{% file src="<https://2657567075-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQliKVc60bXYNfBciAKA8%2Fuploads%2F9SPwOZjggbCfDWF4qJrf%2FOCP%20Annual%20Report%202024.pdf?alt=media&token=c5c330a9-857c-4f11-a3c0-f3840270a1b0>" %}

## Annual Audits

{% file src="<https://2657567075-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQliKVc60bXYNfBciAKA8%2Fuploads%2Fd82FlgvGvcWrwjNn1trJ%2FOCP%20Annual%20Audit%202025.pdf?alt=media&token=59d4b9b6-f083-4fcd-8f61-2cd460f217bf>" %}


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