Supporting projects that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Rules & Requirements

The SD VISta Program rules are the backbone of the program. They define the standards and processes which all projects must follow in order to be certified. The SD VISta rules are set out in a suite of documents that comprise two categories: Requirements and Templates and Forms.

Documents are updated periodically. Please check this page to be sure you are using the latest version of a given document.

Requirements

Requirements documents set out the core principles and criteria for developing projects and generating independently assessed sustainable development benefits and issuing registered SD VISta assets. All SD VISta projects are assessed against these requirements.

SD VISta Program Guide, v1.0	Issued: 22 January 2019 The Program Guide describes the constituent parts of the SD VISta Program and provides rules for all its actors.
Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard, v1.0	Issued: 22 January 2019 The Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard provides the criteria for project design and benefits to people, their prosperity and the planet, as well as criteria for monitoring and assessment of projects and related claims and assets.
SD VISta Program Definitions, v1.0	Issued: 22 January 2019 The Program Definitions provide definitions for terms used in the Program documents.
SD VISta Program Fee Schedule, v1.1	Issued: 9 April 2020 The Program Fee Schedule sets out the fees applicable under the SD VISta Program.
Complaints and Appeals Policy, v1.0	Issued: 22 January 2019 Verra’s complaints and appeals policy.

Templates & Forms

Templates and forms are provided to ensure that users of the SD VISta Program have a consistent structure to work from when completing certain documents. These templates are required for the completion of project descriptions, monitoring reports, assessment reports and other required documentation.

SD VISta Projects

Project Description Template, v1.0	Issued: 22 January 2019 Project Description template
Monitoring Report Template, v1.0	Issued: 22 January 2019 Monitoring report template.
Listing Representation (Single Project Proponent), v1.1	Issued: 16 June 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of listing a project on the Verra project database for a single project proponent.
Listing Representation (Multiple Project Proponents), v1.1	Issued:16 June 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of listing a project on the Verra project database for multiple project proponents.
SD VISta Registration Representation (Single Project Proponent), v1.1	Issued: 16 June 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of the project for a single project proponent.
SD VISta Project Implementation Representation (Single Project Proponent), v1.0	Issued: 29 June 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of the project for a single project proponent.
Validation Report Template, v1.0	Issued: 25 September 2019 Validation report template for use by a VVB
Project Design Evaluation Report Template, v1.0	Issued: 01 July 2019 Project design evaluation report template for use by an independent evaluation expert
Verification Report Template, v1.0	Issued: 25 September 2019 Verification report template for use by a VVB
SD VISta Validation Representation, v1.1	Issued: 16 June 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of validation.
SD VISta Verification Representation, v1.0	Issued: 29 June 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of verification.
Verra Image Submission, v1.1	Issued: 22 January 2019 This form is used by the owner of an image to grant Verra the right to use and display such an image. (For example, project proponents interested in having an image of their project displayed on the Verra project database must first complete and submit this form before Verra will display the image.)

Assessors

VVB Agreement Template, v1.0	Issued: 22 January 2019 Validation/verification body agreement template.
VVB Application Form, v1.1	Issued: 18 December 2020 Validation/verification body application form.
IEE Application Form, v1.0	Issued: 22 January 2019 Independent evaluation expert application form.

Methodology

SD VISta Methodology Concept Note Template, v1.0	Issued: 22 June 2020 Methodology concept note template
SD VISta Methodology Template, v1.0	Issued: 5 June 2020 Methodology template
SD VISta Methodology Element Assessment Report Template, v1.0	Issued: 7 July 2021 Methodology element assessment template

Note that as the SD VISta Program rules are revised, previous versions that are no longer in use will be archived here.

News

23 January 2019

Verra Launches Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard

Verra recently launched the Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard (SD VISta for short), which will help drive…

23 January 2019

Press Release: New Standard Will Drive Finance to the Most Impactful Sustainable Development Projects

Washington, DC | 23 January 2019 | Today, the non-profit organization Verra — which developed…

20 November 2018

SD VISta Pilot Project: Transformational Change of Land and Livestock Management

By John Holler Driving down the dirt roads that border South Africa’s Kruger National Park,…

Other Programs

World Bank Photo Collection

Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard

The SD VISta Program The Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard (SD VISta) is a flexible…
Learn More >

Plastic Waste Reduction Standard

Plastic Waste Reduction Program The Plastic Waste Reduction Program (Plastic Program) enables robust impact assessment…
Learn More >

Photo: Paul Vincent

Verified Carbon Standard

The VCS Program is the world’s leading voluntary program for the certification of GHG emission reduction projects
Learn More >