tHE bERS PROGRAM
The Building Emissions Reduction Standard (BERS) Program is Ontoly’s core framework for certifying, issuing, and tracking verified emissions reductions from building retrofit projects.
The Building Emissions Reduction Standard establishes the principles, governance, and technical requirements that ensure all Building Emissions Reduction Units (BERUs) issued through the Ontoly Registry are credible, transparent, and auditable.The program is designed to support high-integrity carbon outcomes across residential and commercial buildings by clearly defining how emissions reductions are calculated, verified, issued, transferred, and retired.
Together, the documents below form the foundation of the BERS Program and guide participation for project developers, building owners, verifiers, and buyers.
Requirements
BERS Program Documents
BERS Standard — The core governing framework for the BERS Program.
BERS Verification Standard — Verification procedure, independence requirements, accreditation, and level of assurance.
Ontoly Public Parameter List — Standardized parameters (discount rates, useful life, inflation rates) used across all projects.
BERS Standard — The core governing framework for the BERS Program.
BERS Verification Standard — Verification procedure, independence requirements, accreditation, and level of assurance.
Ontoly Public Parameter List — Standardized parameters (discount rates, useful life, inflation rates) used across all projects.
Approved Methodologies
Existing Building Methodology: Energy Efficiency and Fuel Switching for Buildings Version 1.0 (ONTOLY_RETROFIT_EEFS-1.0)
Methodology Development and Review Process — Process for developing, approving, and amending BERS Methodologies.
Methodology Development and Review Process — Process for developing, approving, and amending BERS Methodologies.
Governance & Policies
Ontoly Platform Terms of Use — Governing terms for all Ontoly Platform and Registry activities.
Conflict of Interest Policy — Policy governing conflicts of interest for all program participants.
Know Your Customer (KYC) Policy — Due diligence and identity verification requirements.
Anti-Bribery, Anti-Corruption Policy — Financial integrity requirements.
Ontoly Corrective Actions — Details corrective measures and enforcement procedures under the BERS Program.
Ontoly Fee Schedule — All applicable fees for program participation.
BERS Governance Board — Composition, roles, and responsibilities of the independent governance body overseeing the BERS Program.
Conflict of Interest Policy — Policy governing conflicts of interest for all program participants.
Know Your Customer (KYC) Policy — Due diligence and identity verification requirements.
Anti-Bribery, Anti-Corruption Policy — Financial integrity requirements.
Ontoly Corrective Actions — Details corrective measures and enforcement procedures under the BERS Program.
Ontoly Fee Schedule — All applicable fees for program participation.
BERS Governance Board — Composition, roles, and responsibilities of the independent governance body overseeing the BERS Program.
Verification
BERS Verification Standard — Verification procedure, independence requirements, accreditation, and level of assurance.
Request for Proposals for Verification Services (coming soon) — Request for Proposals for accredited Verification Bodies seeking to provide third-party verification services under the BERS Program. Coming soon.
Public Verification Summary Template — Template for publishing a summary of verification findings, confirming the project's conformance with the BERS Standard and the verified volume of BERUs issued.
Request for Proposals for Verification Services (coming soon) — Request for Proposals for accredited Verification Bodies seeking to provide third-party verification services under the BERS Program. Coming soon.
Public Verification Summary Template — Template for publishing a summary of verification findings, confirming the project's conformance with the BERS Standard and the verified volume of BERUs issued.
Project Submission FormS
Ontoly Project Intake includes required project submission forms. Available via the Ontoly Portal:
• Project Description & Baseline Utility Data Form — Detailed project and baseline data collection.
• Financial Additionality Data Submission Form — Financial data for additionality assessment.
• Building Owner Attestation & Representative Authorization — Building owner authorization form.
• Data Quality & Safeguard Attestation Form — Environmental and social safeguard attestation.
• Annual Monitoring Report — Template for annual monitoring submissions.
• Project Description & Baseline Utility Data Form — Detailed project and baseline data collection.
• Financial Additionality Data Submission Form — Financial data for additionality assessment.
• Building Owner Attestation & Representative Authorization — Building owner authorization form.
• Data Quality & Safeguard Attestation Form — Environmental and social safeguard attestation.
• Annual Monitoring Report — Template for annual monitoring submissions.
Reports & Templates
Confidential reports are delivered through the Ontoly Portal. Public-facing reports are published on the Ontoly Registry. Reports & templates delivered through the Ontoly Portal:
•BERU Issuance Report — Official record of BERU volumes issued per project, including verified emissions reductions, crediting period, and methodology applied.
•Preliminary Ex-Ante BERU Assessment Report — Report for preliminary project assessment.
•Project Description Report — Public-facing project documentation.
•Pre-Purchase Agreement (Optional) — Recommended template for pre-purchase contracts.
•BERU Issuance Report — Official record of BERU volumes issued per project, including verified emissions reductions, crediting period, and methodology applied.
•Preliminary Ex-Ante BERU Assessment Report — Report for preliminary project assessment.
•Project Description Report — Public-facing project documentation.
•Pre-Purchase Agreement (Optional) — Recommended template for pre-purchase contracts.
Consultation
2025 BERS Public Consultation Version 1 — The BERS Program completed its inaugural public consultation in December 2025, incorporating stakeholder feedback on the standard framework, methodologies, and program design, alongside targeted review by the Ontoly Scientific Advisory Board.
Annual Reports
2026 Annual Report (coming soon) — Annual disclosure of program activities, registered projects, and BERU issuance data. The first Annual Report will be published for the 2026 calendar year, as this was the first financial year for the company.
The Ontoly Registry
The Ontoly Registry is the public system of record for all projects and BERUs issued under the BERS Program, ensuring full transparency, traceability, and accountability across the lifecycle of every project and unit.
Through the Registry, stakeholders can view:
Project eligibility and methodology application
Verified emissions reductions and issuance volumes
Ownership transfers and retirement status
Supporting documentation and audit trails
By making this information publicly accessible, the Registry ensures that emissions reductions are clearly attributed, not double-counted, and permanently retired — supporting confidence for regulators, buyers, and the broader market.
View the Ontoly Registry here.
Through the Registry, stakeholders can view:
Project eligibility and methodology application
Verified emissions reductions and issuance volumes
Ownership transfers and retirement status
Supporting documentation and audit trails
By making this information publicly accessible, the Registry ensures that emissions reductions are clearly attributed, not double-counted, and permanently retired — supporting confidence for regulators, buyers, and the broader market.
View the Ontoly Registry here.
The Ontoly Portal
The Ontoly Portal is the secure platform through which project developers, building owners, verifiers, and buyers interact with the Registry. It supports the full BERU lifecycle — from project registration and data submission to verification, issuance, transfer, and retirement.
Through the Portal, participants can:
Submit project data and supporting documentation
Track project status and verification milestones
Access approved templates and data submission forms
Execute BERU issuance, transfer, and retirement actions
Maintain a complete, auditable record of all project activities
All official BERS templates are maintained within the Portal to ensure participants always work from the most current approved materials.Book a demo to confirm your project's eligibility and get started in the Ontoly Portal.
Through the Portal, participants can:
Submit project data and supporting documentation
Track project status and verification milestones
Access approved templates and data submission forms
Execute BERU issuance, transfer, and retirement actions
Maintain a complete, auditable record of all project activities
All official BERS templates are maintained within the Portal to ensure participants always work from the most current approved materials.Book a demo to confirm your project's eligibility and get started in the Ontoly Portal.
The carbon registry built for buildings. Verified emissions reductions, tradable with confidence
© 2026 Ontoly. All rights reserved.
© 2026 Ontoly. All rights reserved.