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Methodology and templates

Project Design Document (PDD) Template

Version 1.1Adopted 2026-08-24 · FD-2026-08-24English (Norwegian adoption banner)MCC_PDD_Template_v1.1.md

Adopted by founder decision FD-2026-08-24; formal board ratification is the first item of business when the programme board is constituted. Published verbatim from the maintained corpus — changes occur only by amendment with a version bump.

Project Design Document (PDD) Template

Marine Conservation Credits (MCC) Programme | Version 1.1 — ADOPTED (FD-2026-08-24; styreratifisering utestående)

Introduction

The Project Design Document (PDD) is the core document describing a marine conservation project to the MCC programme. It must address all eleven required sections (A–K) with sufficient detail for independent validation by an accredited VVB.

Credit-type neutrality. MCC issues Marine Conservation Units on a contribution basis across five methodology families (F01–F05). Only F01 and F02 quantify in carbon terms. Sections B–E are written per credit type: complete them using the quantification basis defined in the applicable family guidance (F01 Blue Carbon, F02 Ecosystem Restoration, F03 Fisheries, F04 Pollution Prevention, F05 MPA Management). Where this template says "unit basis", substitute the metric your family guidance prescribes (e.g. tCO₂e for F01/F02; mass/area recovered for F04). Buffer rates and permanence horizons are family-specific and are stated only in the family guidance documents — do not restate them here; cite them.

Length

The total length requirement is normative; per-section lengths are indicative. Total document: 6,000–10,000 words (excluding tables, figures, maps, and appendices). The indicative section ranges below sum within this frame. A section may be shorter where the family guidance makes it inapplicable, provided the section states why; it may be longer where project complexity requires, provided the total is respected.

Required Sections

Section A: Project Overview and Description (indicative 800–1,200 words)

Comprehensive description of the project, location, developers, and expected outcomes.

  • A.1 Project Title and Unique Code
  • A.2 Project Developer Information
  • A.3 Project Location and Geographic Boundaries
  • A.4 Project Summary and Logic
  • A.5 Credit Type Selection and Justification (family F01–F05, credit type per the canonical taxonomy)
  • A.6 Selected Methodology and Version
  • A.7 Crediting Period and Project Duration

Section B: Baseline Scenario and Additionality (indicative 900–1,400 words)

Demonstration that the project is additional and the baseline properly established.

  • B.1 Baseline Scenario Development
  • B.2 Additionality Demonstration
  • B.3 Barrier Analysis
  • B.4 Baseline Condition and Loss/Pressure Rates (unit basis per family guidance; carbon stocks for F01/F02 only)

Section C: Quantification (indicative 1,200–1,800 words)

Detailed quantification of conservation outcomes on the unit basis the applicable family guidance prescribes.

  • C.1 Quantification Methodology Selection
  • C.2 Project Scenario Outcome Quantification (unit basis per family)
  • C.3 Net Outcome Calculation and Leakage/Displacement Assessment
  • C.4 Uncertainty Analysis and Conservative Parameters

Section D: Monitoring Plan (indicative 800–1,200 words)

Comprehensive monitoring and measurement procedures.

  • D.1 Monitoring Parameters and Methods
  • D.2 Data Collection and Management Procedures
  • D.3 Monitoring Timeline and Frequency
  • D.4 Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC)

Section E: Risk Assessment and Buffer Contribution (indicative 600–900 words)

Assessment of risks to the durability of the conservation outcome and contribution to the buffer pool, on the terms the family guidance defines (permanence horizons and buffer rates are family-specific).

  • E.1 Risk Assessment (reversal/discontinuation risk as applicable to the family)
  • E.2 Risk Mitigation Strategies
  • E.3 Buffer Contribution Calculation (rate per family guidance)

Section F: Environmental and Social Safeguards (indicative 600–900 words)

Assessment of project impacts on environment and local communities against the nine safeguard principles.

  • F.1 Environmental Safeguards Assessment
  • F.2 Social Safeguards Assessment
  • F.3 Mitigation Measures for Adverse Impacts

Section G: Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation (indicative 400–700 words)

Documentation of stakeholder engagement and, where applicable, the FPIC process.

  • G.1 Stakeholder Analysis
  • G.2 Consultation Process and Free, Prior, Informed Consent (FPIC)

Section H: Management and Legal Arrangements (indicative 400–600 words)

Description of project management structure and legal sustainability mechanisms.

  • H.1 Management Structure and Responsibilities
  • H.2 Legal Framework and Tenure/Access Rights Security

Section I: Sustainable Development Contribution (indicative 300–500 words)

Required by MCC-100 cl. 0086. Identify a minimum of three SDG indicators the project contributes to, with a measurement method for each, per the Sustainable Development Contribution Framework.

  • I.1 Selected SDG Indicators (minimum three)
  • I.2 Measurement Method per Indicator
  • I.3 Reporting Cadence

Section J: Host Country Authorisation Status (indicative 200–400 words)

State the corresponding-adjustment position and host-country engagement status per the Host Country Authorisation Procedure and the Corresponding Adjustment and Double Counting Prevention Policy. Projects issuing contribution-basis units without a compensatory climate claim state CA status as NOT_APPLICABLE with reasoning. (Whether host-country authorisation is mandatory or optional is board decision D8; complete this section per the standing rule at time of submission.)

  • J.1 Corresponding Adjustment Position
  • J.2 Host Country Engagement Status and Evidence

Section K: Exclusivity Declaration (indicative 100–200 words)

Declaration per MCC-100 cl. 0126 that the project and its outcomes are and will remain registered exclusively with MCC, signed by the project proponent at submission.

Supporting Documents

Mandatory:

  • Project boundary map (1:50,000 basemap with GeoJSON)
  • Baseline data summary (field surveys, satellite time-series, or family-appropriate equivalent)
  • Quantification workbook with formulas (unit basis per family)
  • Monitoring plan detail
  • Safeguards self-assessment checklist (nine principles)
  • FPIC documentation (if indigenous or customary territory)
  • Tenure/access rights confirmation
  • Organization registration certificate
  • Project team CVs
  • Letters of support
  • Signed Exclusivity Declaration (Section K)

Submission Guidelines

  • Use Arial font, 11 pt, 1.5 line spacing
  • Include page numbers and table of contents
  • Use clear section headings and numbered subsections
  • Provide tables, figures, and maps where helpful (excluded from the word count)
  • Total document: 6,000–10,000 words (normative; see Length above)
  • File format: Word (.docx) or PDF
  • Include supporting documents as appendices

MCC Applicant Support

v1.1 vedtatt 24.08.2026 ved FD-2026-08-24 (sak R3; K11 lukket). Erstatter MCC_PDD_Template_v1.0 og «ANNEX A»-malen, som er arkivert. Endringer heretter kun ved amendment med versjonsbump (D16).