Professional Services. AFOLU Project Design Document development for voluntary and select compliance programs. Prepared September 2025.
AFOLU Project Design Document (PDD) Development
A strong PDD is the backbone of any Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use carbon project. FG Capital Advisors builds audit-ready documents that fit the chosen standard, quantify carbon impacts with defensible assumptions, and set up monitoring that teams can run in the field. The target outcome is validation without drama and a clear path to verification and issuance.
Standards
Verra VCS, Gold Standard, ACR, and Climate Action Reserve. National schemes reviewed where rules and registries are workable.
Project Families
ARR, REDD+, IFM, mangroves and seagrass, peatland, agroforestry, soil carbon, waste methane reduction linked to land use.
Core Outputs
PDD, monitoring plan, safeguards and stakeholder plan, validation response log, verification package, registry coordination.
Evidence First
Baseline data, sampling frames, QA rules, and traceable records to support VVB testing.
Why A High Quality AFOLU PDD Matters
Credible Baseline
Transparent land-use history and counterfactuals reduce disputes during audits and keep timelines tight.
Fit-For-Purpose MRV
Sampling, measurement, and data flow designed for real field conditions so teams can execute reliably.
Safeguards & ESG
Clear biodiversity, labor, and community safeguards help buyers and auditors assess project integrity.
Faster Validation
Clean documents and strong evidence reduce back-and-forth with the VVB.
Our PDD Development Process
- Baseline Assessment. Field surveys, land-use mapping, historical data, remote sensing sources, leakage and permanence risk scan.
- Methodology Selection. Match project features to the right AFOLU protocol and define boundaries, strata, and sampling logic.
- Quantification & Modeling. Emission reductions and removals, uncertainty treatment, sensitivity tests, and conservative parameter choices.
- MRV Design. Data capture tools, roles and responsibilities, reporting templates, monitoring calendars, and QA rules.
- Stakeholder Engagement. Community consultations, benefit-sharing plans, and clear grievance channels.
- ESG Alignment. Safeguards mapped to standard requirements and local regulations with supporting references.
- Drafting & Review. Full PDD write-up, exhibits, GIS and sampling appendices, internal quality checks, and sponsor review.
- Validation Support. VVB selection, audit readiness sessions, site support, and formal responses to findings until closure.
Indicative Pricing
| Workstream | Scope Snapshot | Typical Range (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline & Feasibility | Land-use history, remote sensing, prelim quantification, risk map | 25,000 to 90,000 |
| PDD Drafting | Methodology fit, full PDD, MRV plan, safeguards and stakeholder plan | 50,000 to 200,000 |
| Validation Support | VVB coordination, site support, responses to findings, registry pre-checks | 25,000 to 60,000 |
Ranges reflect scope, scale, data quality, terrain access, and standard. Field delivery costs and hardware are out of scope.
Indicative Timeline & Key Deliverables
| Weeks | Milestones | Primary Deliverables |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Kickoff, data room intake, site reconnaissance | Data request list, baseline plan, workplan and calendar |
| 3 to 6 | Technical analysis and modeling | Draft PDD sections, MRV blueprint, safeguards outline |
| 7 to 8 | Stakeholder work and ESG review | Stakeholder report, safeguards annexes, updated PDD |
| 9 to 10 | Finalization and validation submission | Final PDD, evidence pack, validation submission file |
Schedules depend on site access, data quality, and third-party availability.
Why Choose FG Capital Advisors
Deep AFOLU Focus
Hands-on experience across forest, soil, and blue carbon projects with varied tenure and governance settings.
Audit-Ready Packages
Documents and evidence structured for how VVBs test claims.
Commercial Clarity
Clear scope, timelines, and fees tied to milestones so sponsors can plan cash flows.
Senior Attention
Partner-led reviews at each stage to keep quality tight and decisions fast.
Request A PDD Proposal
Share your project details to scope the PDD and receive a tailored quote.
Start Your PDDDisclaimer. FG Capital Advisors offers consulting and advisory services and is not a Validation or Verification Body. Outcomes depend on project design, data quality, on-the-ground delivery, auditor findings, and standard rules. Pricing is indicative and subject to a written proposal. No guarantee of registration or issuance is expressed or implied.
