Premium Score · Methodology v1

How we score every project.

How we score · interactive

Move the sliders, watch the tier shift.

13/15
17/20
12/15
12/15
12/15
8/10
9/10

Why this exists

Anyone can browse Verra or Gold Standard registries for free. ClimSen's value is not the listings — it's the rejection ratio and the score. We aim to filter out 80%+ of public inventory and expose only what passes a defensible bar. SMEs in CCTS / CORSIA / CSRD scope don't have time or expertise to assess credit quality themselves; they pay for the curation.

This rubric is computable from public data, transparent in its factor breakdown, and defensible — no proprietary black box. We publish the methodology in full so every score is auditable.

Scoring framework

Total = 100 points across seven weighted factors.

#
Factor
Max
Why it matters
1
Vintage Recency
15
Older credits often used outdated baselines and are increasingly rejected by buyers under CSRD/CORSIA
2
Methodology Integrity
20
Some methodologies have systemic over-crediting risk (esp. avoided-deforestation REDD+); newer engineered or ARR methods are higher integrity
3
Standard & Verifier Quality
15
Standard body and DOE/VVB matter for regulatory acceptance
4
Additionality Evidence
15
Without additionality, the credit doesn't represent real new abatement
5
Permanence & Buffer Pool
15
Critical for nature-based; insufficient buffer = reversal risk
6
Co-benefits & SDGs
10
Buyers under CSRD increasingly require co-benefit reporting
7
Registry Red Flags
10
Cancellations, double-counting flags, disputes drag the score down

Scoring detail

Vintage Recency

Max 15
2024 or later
15
2022–2023
10
2020–2021
5
Before 2020
0

Methodology Integrity

Max 20
High-integrity (18–20)
  • Afforestation/Reforestation (ARR) under VM0047, AR-ACM0003
  • Direct Air Capture (DAC), Mineralisation
  • Biochar (Puro standard)
  • Improved Cookstoves under TPDDTEC / AMS-II.G updated
  • Blue carbon (mangroves) under VM0033
Medium (10–14)
  • REDD+ Jurisdictional & Nested (JNR)
  • Renewable Energy in non-LDC contexts
  • Methane capture (landfill, agricultural)
Low (0–9)
  • Project-scale avoided deforestation under old methodologies (VM0007, VM0009, VM0015) without VCM Integrity Council CCP label
  • HFC-23 destruction
  • Large hydro

Standard & Verifier Quality

Max 15
Standard tier
  • Gold Standard, Puro.earth, ACR (American Carbon Registry): 13–15
  • Verra VCS (depends on methodology): 8–12
  • CAR (Climate Action Reserve), Plan Vivo: 9–12
  • Other / national: 0–7
Adjustments
  • Verifier (VVB/DOE) with no recent suspensions: full points
  • Verifier with documented over-crediting incidents: −3

Additionality Evidence

Max 15
Full financial additionality + regulatory surplus + common practice analysis documented
13–15
Investment / barrier analysis only
8–12
Standard claim, no documented evidence
5
Project type widely considered non-additional
0

Permanence & Buffer Pool

Max 15
Nature-based projects
  • Buffer pool ≥ 20% AND permanence period ≥ 40 years: 13–15
  • Buffer 15–19% OR permanence 30–39 years: 8–12
  • Buffer 10–14% OR permanence 20–29 years: 4–7
  • Below: 0–3
Engineered removals (DAC, biochar, mineralisation)
  • Permanence ≥ 100 years documented: 15
  • 50–99 years: 10
  • Otherwise: 5

Co-benefits & SDGs

Max 10
3+ SDGs evidenced AND CCB or SD VISta certified
8–10
1–2 SDGs claimed without third-party cert
3–5
None
0

Registry Red Flags

Max 10

Start at 10, deduct:

  • Cancellation event in project history: −3 to −5
  • Double-counting flag from CADT or ICROA: −5 to −10
  • Active dispute or media controversy: −3 to −5
  • Suspended status: −10 (auto-reject from marketplace)

Tier thresholds

Where each project lands on the marketplace ladder.

Diamond
90–100
Platinum
80–89
Gold
70–79
Below 70
Below 70

Operational rules

  1. Every published project page must show the score and factor breakdown.
  2. Methodology updates are versioned (v1, v2, …). Re-scoring happens on each version change.
  3. If a flag emerges post-publication (e.g. registry cancellation), the project is automatically de-listed within 24 hours.
  4. The rubric is published openly on the ClimSen site under /methodology — transparency is the differentiator.

Roadmap (post-MVP)

  • v2: Add machine-readable Carbon Plan integration for project ratings cross-check
  • v2: Add MRV freshness signal (last verified date)
  • v3: Layer ICVCM Core Carbon Principles scoring once stabilised
  • v3: Add buyer-fit scoring (CCTS-eligible, CORSIA Phase 2 eligible, CSRD-aligned)

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