Typically, a prospective project will not yet be operational and will use the 2013 Plan Vivo Standard from the outset. However, it is possible for a project that is already operational to become an approved Plan Vivo Project, provided it can meet the requirements of 2013 Plan Vivo Standard. In such instances, retroactive crediting is possible for up to three years prior to beginning the registration process with Plan Vivo, provided that there is a strong argument for additionality and it can be evidenced that the project always intended to become carbon certified and generate carbon credits.