March Newsletter: VCS Version 3 released, available for immediate use

Dear Friends & Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that, effective today – 8 March 2011 – the streamlined VCS Version 3 Program documents are published on the VCS website and available for immediate use. The release of Version 3 marks a new stage of development for VCS.

The new documentation reflects our learning over the last several years as hundreds of projects have been registered and millions of VCUs have been issued. Importantly, Version 3 incorporates input from the many stakeholders who participated in the public consultation process – thank you for your valuable insights. We sincerely hope you will find the new Version 3 Program documents to be clear and useful. Stakeholders with specific questions can find more information and links to all Version 3 documents below.

March also officially ushered in our new name and logo. VCS is now the Verified Carbon Standard, a name that will open new doors for your projects and credits.

Also, we have finalized the membership of our new Advisory Committee on Jurisdictional and Nested REDD. We had over 150 applications for this committee, which is remarkable, and reflects the importance of this work. This is one our major forward-looking initiatives for developing scalable and workable approaches to carbon crediting going forward, and we look forward to sharing updates from this work.

Sincerely,

David Antonioli

VCS VERSION 3 DOCUMENTS PUBLISHED TODAY, AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE USE

Effective 8 March, the new streamlined VCS Version 3 program documents are published on the VCS website and available for immediate use. Our new VCS Version 3 web page provides an overview of all Version 3 documents. All documents are described in detail and can be accessed and/or downloaded directly from the Version 3 page.

Those currently using VCS 2007.1 will have a six-month grace period to transition to Version 3 requirements. Specifically, VCS 2007.1 may be used up to and including 8 September 2011. Please note that this means all project documents (such as validation and verification reports) wholly or partially reliant upon VCS 2007.1 must be issued on or before 8 September 2011 to be valid. For more information see our Version 3 FAQs.

Webinars introducing stakeholders to VCS Version 3 documents will be held on 22 March at 0300 GMT and 1500 GMT to capture all time zones. Detailed information for accessing the webinars will be circulated to stakeholders on Wednesday 16 March.

NEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON NESTED REDD

In February, VCS convened a new Advisory Committee to provide strategic input and guidance into the conceptual development of the VCS Jurisdictional and Nested REDD Initiative announced in December. With guidance from the Advisory Committee, the Nested REDD initiative will undertake to develop criteria and procedures for the integrated accounting and crediting of GHG emission reductions from REDD projects, policies and programs within jurisdictions. The initiative will also develop criteria for setting regional baselines for REDD projects, both to streamline processes and reduce transaction costs for individual projects, and to ensure consistency and environmental integrity across projects. A secretariat led by VCS and Climate Focus will draft criteria and procedures by the end of 2011.

IFM METHODOLOGY, BY GREENCOLLAR, APPROVED IN FEBRUARY

On 15 February, a new methodology to credit protection of forest areas slated for logging was approved under the VCS Program. Developed by GreenCollar Climate Solutions, it is the first VCS-approved Logged-to-Protected Forest methodology, using Improved Forest Management practices to protect areas threatened by commercial logging. Projects that show timber harvest is planned may use this methodology to measure and calculate GHG credits generated by project activities.

NEW VEHICLE-EFFICIENCY METHODOLOGY ACCEPTED FOR ASSESSMENT

On 4 March, a new methodology for crediting activities that improve the efficiency of trucks, bulldozers, road-building machines and other large vehicles was submitted for approval under the VCS Program. Developed by the Carbon Offset Aggregation Cooperative in British Columbia, the methodology would credit a variety of measures to improve vehicle efficiency, including anti-idling devices, eco-drive and improved tire-rolling resistance and air-conditioning systems, among others.

NAOMI SWICKARD MOVES BASE TO BANGKOK, THAILAND

AFOLU Manager Naomi Swickard relocated to Bangkok, Thailand in February. Naomi will continue to spearhead VCS work on the AFOLU sector, including our initiative on Nested and Jurisdictional REDD. Naomi can be reached, as always, at nswickard@v-c-s.org.

VCS IETA WASHINGTON CARBON CONFERENCE IN MARCH

On 14 March, VCS CEO David Antonioli will join a panel discussing the North American carbon market outlook at IETA’s Carbon Forum North America in Washington DC. David and VCS staff will attend the event and look forward to liaising with stakeholders.

NEW TRADEMARK AVAILABLE FOR USE

The new VCS trademark is available to stakeholders who sign a logo-use agreement. Anyone wishing to sign an agreement should send a request to vcslogo@v-c-s.org.