Riverse - RIV-BIOBM-01-CONST-V2.4 - audit compliance

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3		Methodology name:	Biobased Construction Materials
4		Methodology ID:	RIV-BIOBM-01-CONST-V2.4
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6	List of document and information requests sent to the client:
7	N°	Criteria	Requirement Level	Items for the auditor to validate	Proof/justification
8	1	C1 - Measurability	Methodology	Baseline GHG reduction quantification	The selected baseline must: • Fulfill the same function as the project scenario (same FU is defined) • Defines the product type, material type, and/or manufacturer if applicable • Accounts for the product lifespan • Be conservative when there is uncertainty • Has the same or very similar performance characteristics (including but not limited to, energy efficiency, strength, mechanical resistance, reaction to fire, or insulation capacity) performance characteristics (including but not limited to, energy efficiency, strength, mechanical resistance, reaction to fire, or insulation capacity)
9	2	C1 - Measurability	Methodology	Baseline GHG reduction quantification	If market shares are used, the selected source is based on: (1) time relevance (2) geographical accuracy (3) specific application (4) reliable sources (e.g. market studies, literature review, government data) Shares for products that do not substitute the project scenario might be excluded and the shares recalculated accordingly. This must be checked and justification shall be given.
10	3	C1 - Measurability	Methodology	Baseline GHG reduction quantification	If a specific product is used as the baseline, validate the accuracy of the justification by ensuring: (1) the conservativeness of the selected product, and (2) the reliability of sources confirming that the selected product is the most appropriate.
11	4	C1 - Measurability	Methodology	Baseline GHG reduction quantification	General justifications/proof and calculation checks must be done for the following: • any conversion factor used • any assumption made for measurability
12	5	C1 - Measurability	Methodology	Project GHG reduction quantification	[For permanent building construction] The GHG assessment is done through the full building life cycle assessment, in respect of the norm EN 15804+A2. If project is located in France the building's LCA must comply ith the RE2020 regulation. Information taken from EPDs shall include the project and baseline materials: • lifetime (Reference Service Lifetime, RSL) • performance characteristics • end of life waste treatment methods • climate change impact (sum of fossil, biogenic, and land use change) • biogenic carbon content The baseline must be relevant in: - same region - same use type: individual house, collective housing building, tertiary building, industrial building - based on a market mix that include a national construction practices/statistics, and come from reliable, recent, and transparent data sources.
13		C1 - Measurability	Methodology	Project GHG reduction quantification	[For material or product] The GHG assessment is done through Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), ensuring it follows a robust, recognized method and good practice guidance. The EPD shall provide the main source of information for the project scenario. EPDs are developed according to EN 15804, which itself is based on ISO 14025. Information taken from EPDs shall include the project and baseline materials: • lifetime (Reference Service Lifetime, RSL) • performance characteristics • end of life waste treatment methods • climate change impact (sum of fossil, biogenic, and land use change) • biogenic carbon content If no EPD is available for a project, then a similar document may be used instead, given that it includes the above information, is independently verified, and follows ISO 14025. If multiple EPDs are used to fulfill the same function as the baseline (e.g. extra materials for the product installation), quantification on each individual item shall be justified.
14		C1 - Measurability	Methodology	Uncertainty Assessment	The uncertainty assessment is done, and each point is assessed according to the Standard Rules. Conclusions are reasonable, and the chosen discount factor is clearly communicated and coherent with the results of the uncertainty assessment which shall also consider the uncertainty at the methodology level
15		C1 - Measurability	Standard (General Requirements)	Monitoring Report and LCA results	• The verification report details the number of carbon credits to be issued for a specified period, which should align with the findings from the comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Furthermore, the report includes all pertinent indicators outlined in the Monitoring Plan.
16		C1 - Measurability	Standard (General Requirements)	Monitoring Plan	• The monitoring plan presented in the Detailed Project Document (DPD) is consistent with the Key Impact Indicators (KIIs) established throughout the DPD and at the methodology level.
17	6	C1 - Measurability	Standard (General Requirements)	Monitoring and validation of production volumes	• Production records will be cross-checked against reported production quantities by sampling a minimum of 20% of the production invoices or delivery notes. • All assumptions regarding production quantities are justified and conservative, especially when the material is used for multiple purposes (e.g., walls and roofs), with an explanation of how the production amounts were allocated for each use. • All production conversions (e.g., from kilograms to functional units) are justified
18		C2 - Real	Standard (General Requirements)	Eligible technologies	[For permanent building construction] - Ex ante: building permits, demonstrating all permits issued within a 12 month period - Ex post: proof of building delivery, completion of construction
19	7	C2 - Real	Standard (General Requirements)	Sites registration	• The sites registration document (according to the Riverse Sites registration template), is filled and signed • Make sure that the project undergoes an in-person or remote site audit within two years of the project’s crediting period start date and/or before the second verification audit
20	8	C3 - Additionality	Standard (General Requirements)	Additionality template	• The project complies with the additionality criteria, which is evaluated through the Riverse additionality template - this one must be completed by the Project Developer (PD). Ensure that: • Regulatory additionality is provided, along with either a financial analysis or a barrier analysis. • All financial information provided is supported by market data or internal data from financial documents.
21	9	C3 - Additionality	Methodology	RE2020 and 2025 targets	[For permanent building construction before 2025] If the project is located in France, it should demonstrate the respect of RE2020 regulation and demonstrate the over achievement of 2025 target: - 530 kgCO₂eq/m²/year for individual housing - 650 kgCO₂eq/m²/year for collective housing - 810 kgCO₂eq/m²/year for offices This must be proven with the attestations of compliance with RE2020 at the building permit submission and upon completion of construction.
22	9	C3 - Additionality	Methodology	RE2020 and 2028 targets	[For permanent building construction after 2025] If the project is located in France, it should demonstrate the respect of RE2020 regulation and demonstrate the over achievement of 2028 target: - 475 kgCO₂eq/m²/year for individual housing - 580 kgCO₂eq/m²/year for collective housing - 710 kgCO₂eq/m²/year for offices This must be proven with the attestations of compliance with RE2020 at the building permit submission and upon completion of construction.
23	10	C4 - Permanence	Methodology	Permanence and risk of reversal	If removal credits are to be issued: • Certify that the expected carbon-storage duration is 100 years or more. This is justified using the products EPD/FDES or literature review from reliable sources. • Validate the Permanence and Risk of Reversal template, which shall be filled by the PD. Certify that each reversal risk with a high or very high-risk score is subject to: • risk mitigation plan, developed by the Project Developer, that details the long-term strategies and investments for preventing, monitoring, reporting, and compensating carbon removal reversal, OR • additional contributions to the buffer pool, at a rate of 3% of verified removal RCCs for each high or very high-risk Identify any risks that should be monitored annually and added to the Monitoring Plan.
24	11	C5 - No double counting	Standard (General Requirements)	Riverse MRV & Registry Terms & Conditions signed	Verify that Project developers signed the Riverse MRV & Registry Terms & Conditions (included in the contract signed with Riverse)
25	12	C5 - No double counting	Methodology	No double counting downstream	Depending on the project's value chain, the auditor shall analyze the following elements: • PD provided signed agreements with each buyer stating that the defined type and amount of biobased materials have already been issued carbon credits, and they commit to not issuing carbon credits for that material in the building or • PD provided how the project will comply with the previous point. Here we expect the addition of a clause to the project's sales terms AND communication via product packaging/website.
26	13	C5 - No double counting	Methodology	No double counting upstream	If applicable (especially for wood products): • PD shall provide signed agreements with the top suppliers of biobased construction materials that make up a sum of 80% of biobased materials used in the building, stating that the construction materials used have not already been issued carbon credits OR • PD provided how the project will comply with the previous point
27	14	C6 - Co-benefits	Methodology	Co-benefits	• Verify that the selected Co-benefits align with the project • All calculations are concise and well-justified (e.g. for avoided materials, avoided water consumption, etc).
28	15	C7 - Substitution	Methodology	Substitution	• Performance indicators are provided and justified through e.g. performance tests, dynamic thermal studies, secondary reports, scientific literature, and EPDs. • If the performance of the primary function of the project biobased material is different from the baseline material, this is accounted for in the baseline scenario and project scenario selection. • If the performance of secondary functions of the project biobased material is worse than the baseline, and causes, for example, increased energy consumption during the use stage, this is included in the Riverse biobased construction risk evaluation. • If the service lifetimes differ between the baseline and the project, the difference is accounted for in the comparative LCA (see Calculations section).
29	16	C8 - Environmental & social do no harm	Methodology	Risk assessment	• the risk assessment was filled by the PD according to the Riverse Risk assessment template • Additional proof for certain high-risk environmental and social problems are provided. Identify any risks that should be monitored annually and added to the Monitoring Plan.
30	17	C8 - Environmental & social do no harm	Standard (General Requirements)	Stakeholder consultation	The stakeholder consultation process was followed according to the Riverse Standard rules and the proof was provided.
31	18	C9 - Leakage	Methodology	leakage analysis	Project Developers transparently evaluated the potential leakage risks from activity shifting and from upstream/downstream emissions in the DPD.
32	19	C10 - TRL	Standard (General Requirements)	Technology Readness Level	• The TRL is evaluated based on Proof of technological progress and/or production capacities either in an operational environment or lab. • A minimum TRL 6 is reached
33	20	C11 - Targets alignment	Standard (General Requirements)	minimal emission reduction	A minimal emission reduction of 73% is achieved by the project. This is justified through the comparative LCA
34	21	C12 - Minimum impact	Standard (General Requirements)	minimal emission reduction	The project justifies a minimum emission reduction of 1000 tCO2eq over the crediting period of the project. This is checked through: • calculation from comparative LCA • production forecast
35	22		Standard (General Requirements)	Project Design Document	All the above are clearly presented in the Detailed Project Description
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