> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.millpont.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.millpont.com/meti-resources/how-meti-source-network-works.md).
# How METI Source Network Works
METI™ (MillPont Environmental Trust Infrastructure) operates as a geospatial clearinghouse and trust network, transforming environmental data management in nature-based raw material supply chains. At its core, METI introduces **Secure Source IDs (SSIDs) -** digital deeds linked to [Sources ](/meti-resources/what-is-a-source.md)of environmental outcomes. These digital deeds provide a secure, dynamic, and interoperable network for connecting nature-based raw material value chains with environmental data markets.
## **Secure Source IDs (SSIDs)**
SSIDs are **digital deeds** that transform how environmental outcomes are tracked, verified, and managed. By linking each Source to an SSID, METI enables:
* **Ownership Verification & Validation**: Each SSID is tied to a specific Source and its environmental outcomes, ensuring accurate claims and compliance with market standards - mitigating double-counting and greenwashing.
* **Security**: Encrypted identifiers protect data integrity and ownership while safeguarding against fraud or duplication.
* **Interoperability**: SSIDs are designed to integrate seamlessly with multiple platforms, markets, and regulatory frameworks, reducing friction across supply chains, registries, and marketplaces.
* **Dynamic Functionality**: SSIDs evolve over time, capturing updates to claims, monitoring status changes, and ensuring outcomes remain relevant and actionable.
***
## How METI Works: Step-by-Step Process
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Submission of Sources**
METI Members (e.g., Perdue) submit **Sources** from agricultural, forestry and land-use projects to METI’s Clearinghouse. These Sources include:
* Geospatial boundaries of project fields. (*required)*
* Management timelines - Valid From: Valid To - specifying the duration of claims (*required)*
* Project Methodology, Practice Data, and Verification Status (*optional*)
***
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**Process & Validate**
The Clearinghouse reformats and encrypts incoming data, checks for consistency and privacy protection, and validates exclusivity by comparing submissions against the METI Network, Protected Areas, and public registries (e.g., Verra, CAR, ACR, Gold Standard, etc.).
***
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**Issue SSIDs & Linking to Outcomes**
Validated Sources receive an encrypted Secure Source Identifier (SSID) - a *digital deed* - which members attach to verified outcomes and move through their supply chain. The SSID ensures traceability, prevents double-counting, and gives buyers confidence in each transaction and link in the supply chain.
***
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**Authenticate & Monitor**
Buyers and auditors authenticate claims through the Source Ledger. METI continuously monitors SSIDs for ongoing exclusivity, compliance with Rulebook standards, and integrity until the claim expires.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
***
## **Key Benefits**
* **Trust, Transparency & Data Privacy**: SSIDs provide verifiable and traceable assurance of environmental claims ownership, while protecting the privacy of farmers and land-owners.
* **Scalable Market Integration**: Interoperability ensures compatibility across platforms, registries, and value chains.
* **Dynamic Accountability**: SSIDs adapt to updates in environmental outcomes and ownership, ensuring continuous relevance and detection of conflicts - historically and on an ongoing basis.
* **Efficient Ownership Management**: SSIDs simplify complex transactions by creating a secure, traceable link between Sources and outcomes, ensuring claims are unique, exclusive, and readily auditable.
METI empowers stakeholders to connect raw material value chains with climate markets, fostering a sustainable future. By leveraging SSIDs as digital deeds, METI ensures that environmental claims are not just credible but also verifiable, authentic, and traceable - to the source - at scale.
---
# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.
## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:
```
GET https://docs.millpont.com/meti-resources/how-meti-source-network-works.md?ask=&goal=
```
`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.