Does a Verra project have to show SDG benefits, and how many?
Yes. Verra requires projects to show sustainable development contributions in one of two ways: quantify contributions to specific targets and indicators of at least three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the monitoring period, or verify at the same time under Climate, Community and Biodiversity (CCB) Standards or SD VISta, documenting at least three SDGs.
The two routes
- Quantify contributions to specific targets and indicators of at least three SDGs for the monitoring period. Where no relevant official SDG indicator exists, a project-specific indicator may be used.
- Complete the Verra verification at the same time as a Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards or Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard (SD VISta) verification, and document contributions to at least three SDGs.
Also required
Project activities must be aligned with the host country's SDG objectives, where those are relevant to the project.
What a factory project can usually measure
These are measures to consider, to be matched to the official UN indicator list with your validation and verification body (VVB):
- Energy saved in kWh and fuel saved in tonnes or litres, which fits SDG 7 on energy.
- Tonnes of CO2e avoided, which fits SDG 13 on climate action.
- Operators trained on the new equipment or jobs kept, which can fit SDG 8 on decent work.
Example: three goals for a furnace upgrade (example figures)
- SDG 7: 420,000 kWh of electricity saved in the monitoring period, from meter logs
- SDG 13: 283.5 t CO2e avoided at 0.675 kg per kWh
- SDG 8: 14 operators trained, from the training register
Example figures. CO2e means carbon dioxide equivalent. 420,000 x 0.675 = 283,500 kg. The indicators must match the official list or be agreed as project-specific.
What Senseible does here
Senseible's records supply the energy and emissions numbers behind the climate and energy lines. It does not measure social indicators for you. It does not register projects or issue credits; Verra and your validation and verification body do.
Sources: Verra, VCS Standard v5.0 (16 December 2025), section 3.16
Last reviewed 2026-11-04. Section numbers are from VCS Standard v5.0; re-check them when Verra publishes a new version.