Methodology

Our methodology, published.

V4 ratings are grounded in the top ten Verra methodologies dominant in India, plus relevant Gold Standard frameworks. The methodology is auditable.

How to read these documents

Each V4 methodology document describes how we apply a specific international methodology to Indian projects, what India-specific extensions we add, and what the common findings are across the project type.

The documents are structured in five sections: the international methodology being applied, the gap (what global methodologies miss in the Indian context), V4's extensions and India-specific additions, the pillar structure, and common findings across the project type.

Methodology documents are updated when the underlying international standards change, when India-specific data sources are updated (CEA quarterly factors, FSI biennial inventory), or when field evidence reveals a systematic gap. Each update is logged with a date and description.

Six project types, one methodology framework

What the V4 methodology adds

All six V4 methodologies share a common set of India-specific extensions that are applied across project types:

• +Hindi-language field interview protocol for community verification in all six project types
• +ISRO Bhuvan satellite land-cover integration for land use and ecosystem verification
• +FSI biennial forest inventory data for forestry carbon stock cross-checks
• +IMD weather data for permanence and monitoring quality assessment
• +CEA grid emission factors (published quarterly) for all renewable energy and grid-connected projects
• +Hansen Global Forest Change analysis for forestry buffer zone monitoring

Recent methodology updates

Questions about the methodology?

We welcome methodological engagement from practitioners, academics, and regulators.