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 carbon credits. It also describes the process used by the Reserve to develop protocols for carbon credit projects.

• Reserve Offset Program Manual (Version 9.2, April 2024)
• Manual del Programa de Compensaciones de la Reserva (marzo de 2021) (Update pending)
• Redline from September 2023 to November 2023

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.

• CORSIA Policy Memo: Host Country Authorization Changes
• ICVCM CCP Tagging Policy Memo (June 12, 2023)
• Use of Global Warming Potential Values for All Offset Protocols (July 13, 2022) Uso De Los Valores De Potencial De Calentamiento Global Para Todos Los Protocolos De Compensación (July 13, 2022)
• 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)

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)
• Manual del Programa de Verificación (febrero de 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. 

• Climate Action Reserve User Guide (June 2024) (English | Spanish)

The Reserve User Guide provides information on the general use of the Reserve software, including rules and guidelines for performing common tasks and what you can expect as a user of the system. El propósito de este documento es proporcionar información sobre el uso general del sistema de registro de la Reserva de Acción Climática (Reserva), incluidas las reglas y pautas para realizar tareas comunes.

• Climate Action Reserve Terms of Use (July 2023) (English | Spanish)
• Redline from June 2022 to July 2023 (English | Spanish - coming soon)

A document regarding general use of the Reserve software, including rules and guidelines for performing common tasks and what you can expect as a user of the system. El propósito de este documento es proporcionar información sobre el uso general del sistema de registro de la Reserva de Acción Climática (Reserva), incluidas las reglas y pautas para realizar tareas comunes.