Metric Taxonomy
The RICA metric taxonomy is the vocabulary that makes reported values comparable. A metric is not only a label. It has a code, name, dimension, type, unit, cadence, aggregation rule, evidence expectation, and review status.
Definition Fields
Section titled “Definition Fields”| Field | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Metric code | Stable machine-readable identifier used by Atlas and integrations. | ghg_avoided_tco2e |
| Metric name | User-facing title shown in reports and dashboards. | GHG Emissions Avoided |
| Dimension | Broad reporting domain: ecological, social, or financial. | ecological |
| Metric type | Human grouping used in reporting navigation. | Decarbonization |
| Metric subtype | More specific subject within the type. | GHG emissions avoided |
| Unit | Measurement unit for submitted values. | tCO2e |
| Cadence | Expected reporting interval. | monthly |
| Aggregation | Rule for combining values across projects for one period. | sum |
| Direction | Whether higher or lower values are generally better. | higher is better |
Period Values And Cumulative Values
Section titled “Period Values And Cumulative Values”RICA records values by reporting period. A monthly value should describe what happened in that month unless the metric definition or submission explicitly says the value is cumulative.
This distinction matters for land, restoration, and jobs metrics. A project should not repeatedly report the same restored hectares as a new monthly addition unless the value truly represents newly added area. Similarly, an FTE value should describe the period’s employment level or job creation basis clearly enough that reviewers can avoid double-counting.
Cross-Project Aggregation And Time-Series Aggregation
Section titled “Cross-Project Aggregation And Time-Series Aggregation”Most common RICA metrics use sum for cross-project aggregation. That means Atlas can add values from distinct projects for the same reporting period. It does not automatically mean Atlas should add every monthly value from the same project over a long time series.
| Aggregation Question | Correct Interpretation |
|---|---|
| How many tonnes of produce did this pool report in May 2026? | Sum May 2026 values across included projects. |
| How many hectares are currently under adaptation? | Use the latest approved project values, then sum across projects if the hectares are distinct. |
| How many jobs exist in the loan book? | Use a consistent FTE period basis and avoid summing the same ongoing job across many months. |
| How much has been distributed to nature this year? | Sum period money flows for the year if each monthly amount is a distinct distribution. |
Common Metric Lifecycle
Section titled “Common Metric Lifecycle”| State | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Assigned | The metric belongs to a project’s active reporting set. |
| Submitted | A sponsor has reported a value for a period. |
| Pending review | A reviewer or platform reviewer still needs to assess the submission. |
| Approved | The value can appear in investor-facing reporting. |
| Rejected | The value failed review and should not be used for reporting. |
| Superseded | A later correction replaced this value while preserving history. |
| Retired | The metric is no longer expected for future project reporting, but historical values remain traceable. |
Data Quality Expectations
Section titled “Data Quality Expectations”A metric value should be understandable without private context. The submission should state the period, unit, method, evidence source, and any important limitation. Where direct measurement is not practical, estimates should identify the method and assumptions.