Program Manual

The Reserve Offset Program Manual summarizes the Reserve’s overarching principles, its general project accounting guidelines, and its rules and procedures for registering projects and creating offset credits. It also describes the process used by the Reserve to develop protocols for carbon offset projects.

• Reserve Offset Program Manual (March 12, 2021)

One minor revision was made to the March 2021 version that did not warrant a public comment period. A public comment period was last held September 3, 2019 to October 4, 2019 while the Reserve Offset Program Manual was undergoing substantial revisions.

Policy Memos

The Reserve may release policy memos that update or replace guidance in the Reserve Offset Program Manual, protocols, and other guidance documents. These memos are considered effective on the date they are posted on the Reserve website. All account holders and verification bodies will be notified if a policy memo is released.

• Registry Offset Credits – Retirement or Conversion to CRTs (December 14, 2020)
• Verification Body Requirements Memo – Mexico Forest Protocol (September 16, 2019)
  Memorándum de Requerimientos de Órgano Verificador – Protocolo Forestal para México (16 de septiembre de 2019)
• Forest Verifier Training Requirements (September 14, 2017)
• Monitoring and Reporting Activities for Forest Projects with Credits at Both ARB and the Reserve (April 6, 2017)
• Forest Project Reporting and Verification Requirements (May 19, 2016)
• PIA and PIA Amendment Agreement and Recordation Policy (October 20, 2015)
• Risk Factors for Water Quality Regulatory Violations at Livestock Facilities (September 1, 2015)
• Effect of New Waste Diversion Mandates on Reserve Projects (Seattle, California) (January 14, 2015)
• Manufacturer Recommendations for Meter Maintenance (December 12, 2013)
• Requirements for Project Diagrams (February 13, 2012)
• Use of eGRID Electricity Emission Factors for All Project Protocols (May 3, 2011)
• Immediate Crediting of Future Avoided Emissions (September 7, 2010)

Verification Program Manual

The Reserve Verification Program Manual provides verification bodies with a standardized approach for the independent and rigorous verification of GHG emission reductions and removals. It gives insight into the verification process, the requirements for conducting verification (like accreditation and training), conflict of interest and confidentiality provisions, and the expected core verification activities.

• Verification Program Manual (February 3, 2021)
• Verification Program Manual Summary of Changes (February 3, 2021)

Verification Program Manual Revision
The Verification Program Manual was most recently revised in 2020. A public comment period was held from November 30 – December 18, 2020. 

Previous Versions of the Reserve Offset Program Manual and Verification Program Manual

Use the links below to access past versions of the Program Manual and Verification Program Manual:

• Program Manual:
  • October 23, 2020 version
  • September 1, 2015 version
  • October 26, 2011 version
  • March 16, 2010 version
  • February 23, 2009 version
• Verification Program Manual:
  • February 8, 2017 version
  • December 20, 2010 version
  • June 17, 2009 version

Please contact the Reserve with questions or comments.