The Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program is the world’s most widely used greenhouse gas (GHG) crediting program. Individual projects and jurisdictional programs can be registered under the VCS Program.
Projects and Programs
All VCS projects and programs must complete a rigorous development and assessment process before registering with the VCS Program. Projects and programs registered in the VCS Program are issued unique carbon credits known as Verified Carbon Units or VCUs. Each VCU represents a reduction or removal of one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) achieved by a project. VCS quality assurance principles ensure all VCUs represent GHG emission reductions or removals that are real, measurable, additional, permanent, independently verified, conservatively estimated, uniquely numbered and transparently listed.
VCUs can be labeled with certifications awarded by other, non-GHG programs that have been approved by VCS. These additional certifications typically represent community and biodiversity benefits achieved by projects, in addition to the climate benefits inherent in a VCU.
Projects
VCS projects implement a wide variety of activities that reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions, improve livelihoods, and protect nature. Projects are categorized by their sectoral scope, ranging from waste handling and disposal projects (such as biochar projects) to land use projects (such as improved forest management projects).
Programs
The VCS rules and requirements also form the foundation for the Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ (JNR) framework. REDD+ is reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, as well as the sustainable management of forests and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. The JNR framework is the world’s first integrated accounting and verification framework for jurisdictional REDD+ programs and nested projects. VCS jurisdictional and nested REDD+ programs are government-led strategies that harmonize emission reductions across national REDD+ programs as well as subnational and/or project activities.
Rules and Requirements
The VCS Program rules define the standards and processes that all projects must follow in order to be certified and are set out in a suite of documents: Requirements, Procedural, Templates, and Guidance.
Note that correction documents may be issued periodically to correct errors in text, equations, or figures in VCS Program documents or methodologies. In addition, clarification documents may be issued to provide additional guidance or clarity on VCS Program rules, or to issue minor, urgent updates to requirements in between new versions of VCS Program documents. Corrections and clarifications will be incorporated into the next issued version of the relevant program document or methodology, at which time the corrections and clarifications will be moved to an archive page on the Verra website.
These documents are updated periodically. Please check this page to ensure you are using the latest version of a given document.
Visit the Governance and Development: Previous Versions page to view previous versions of the VCS Program.
Requirements documents set out the core principles and requirements for developing projects and generating GHG credits that are real, additional, permanent, independently verified and transparently registered. All VCS projects are assessed against these requirements to determine whether they are eligible to register with the VCS Program.
| VCS Program Guide, v4.4 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 29 August 2023 The VCS Program Guide is the overarching VCS Program document. It sets out all rules and requirements governing the VCS Program, including the project registration process, the methodology development and review process, the accreditation requirements for validation/verification bodies, and the functioning of the Verra registry. |
| VCS Standard, v4.5 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 29 August 2023 The VCS Standard sets out all specific requirements for developing projects and for the validation, monitoring and verification of projects and GHG emission reductions and removals. |
| Corrections and Clarifications to VCS Program Rules and Requirements (PDF) | Issued: 12 September 2023 Correction regarding the effective date of updated ecosystem health requirements in the VCS Standard, v4.5 |
| Corrections and Clarifications to VCS Program Rules and Requirements (PDF) | Issued: 25 September 2023 Corrections and Clarifications regarding the effective dates of updated requirements in the VCS Standard, v4.5 |
| VCS Methodology Requirements, v4.4 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 29 August 2023 The VCS Methodology Requirements set out all specific requirements for developing methodologies under the VCS Program, including specific requirements for AFOLU and ODS methodologies. |
| Geologic Carbon Storage (GCS) Requirements, v4.0 (PDF) | Issued: 21 December 2022 Updated: 17 January 2023 The Geologic Carbon Storage (GCS) Requirements document sets out the specific requirements for GCS activities to participate in the VCS Program. |
| VCS Program Definitions, v4.4 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 29 August 2023 The VCS Program Definitions are a reference document that defines all terms used in VCS Program documents. |
| Program Fee Schedule, v4.4 (PDF) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 29 August 2023 The Program Fee Schedule sets out the fees applicable under the VCS Program. |
| Complaints and Appeals Policy, v1.0 (PDF) | Issued: 22 January 2019 Verra’s complaints and appeals policy. |
| Política de quejas y apelaciones de Verra, v1.0 (PDF) | Issued: 22 January 2019 Política de reclamaciones y apelaciones de Verra |
Procedural documents describe the steps required to perform different functions of the VCS Program, including how to apply for project registration and how to submit new methodologies for VCS approval. These documents guide users of the VCS Program through these different processes.
| Registration and Issuance Process, v4.4 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Last Updated: 31 August 2023 The Registration & Issuance Process document sets out the procedures and rules for registering projects and issuing Verified Carbon Units (VCUs). |
| Methodology Development and Review Process, v4.3 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 29 August 2023 The Methodology Development and Review Process document sets out procedures and rules for the development and review of new and existing methodologies under the VCS Program. |
| AFOLU Non-Permanence Risk Tool, v4.1 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 29 August 2023 The AFOLU Non-Permanence Risk Tool sets out the procedure for conducting non-permanence risk analysis and buffer determination for AFOLU projects. The AFOLU Non-Permanence Risk Assessment Calculator will be available soon on the Verra Project Hub. |
| GCS Non-Permanence Risk Tool, v4.0 (PDF) | Issued: 21 December 2022 Updated: 17 January 2023 The GCS Non-Permanence Risk Tool sets out the procedures for assessing the non-permanence risk and buffer determination required for Geologic Carbon Storage (GCS) projects. |
Templates and forms are provided to ensure that users of the VCS Program have a consistent structure to work from when completing certain documents. These templates are required for the completion of project descriptions, monitoring reports, verification reports and other required documentation.
VCS Project Templates
| VCS Project Description Template, v4.3 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 29 August 2023 Project description template. |
| VCS Monitoring Report Template, v4.3 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 29 August 2023 Monitoring report template. |
| VCS Joint Project Description and Monitoring Report Template, v4.3 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 29 August 2023 Joint project description and monitoring report template. |
| Sustainable Development Contributions Report Template (DOC) | Issued: 14 July 2020 Sustainable Development Contributions Report Template. |
| VCS Validation Report Template, v4.3 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 29 August 2023 Validation report template. |
| VCS Verification Report Template, v4.3 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 29 August 2023 Verification report template. |
| VCS Joint Validation and Verification Report Template, v4.3 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 29 August 2023 Joint validation and verification report template. |
| Non-Permanence Risk Report, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Risk report template (long form) for describing and analyzing the non-permanence risk for AFOLU projects. |
| Plantilla de reporte de riesgo de no permanencia, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Plantilla para el reporte de riesgo (formulario largo), para describir y analizar el riesgo de no permanencia para proyectos AFOLU. |
| Non-Permanence Risk Report (Short Form), v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Risk report template for describing and analyzing the non-permanence risk for AFOLU projects, for use with Risk Report Calculation Tool. |
| Plantilla de reporte de riesgo de no permanencia (formato corto), v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Plantilla para el reporte de riesgo, que describe y analiza el riesgo de no permanencia para proyectos AFOLU, esta plantilla es para uso conjunto con la Herramienta de Calculo de Informes de Riesgo. |
| Risk Report Calculation Tool, v4.0 (XLS) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Risk report calculation tool for calculating and documenting the non-permanence risk for AFOLU projects, for use as annex to Non-Permanence Risk Report (long or short form). |
| Herramienta de cálculo para el reporte de riesgos, v4.0 (XLS) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Herramienta de cálculo del reporte de riesgo, permite calcular y documentar el riesgo de no permanencia para los proyectos AFOLU, para uso como enazo al Reporte de Riesgo de No Permanencia (formulario largo o corto). |
| Loss Event Report, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Loss event report template for estimating an unplanned loss of carbon stock for AFOLU projects. |
| Plantilla de reporte de evento de pérdida (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Plantilla para el reporte de eventos de peridad, para estimar las pérdidas no planeadas en los stocks de carbono para proyectos AFOLU. |
Other
| Letter of Authorization Template, v1.0 | Issued: 8 September 2023 Article 6 Letter of Authorization (LOA) Template |
VCS Representations
| Registration Representation (single PP), v4.3 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 29 August 2023 Deed of representation issued in respect of the project. |
| Registration Representation (multiple PPs), v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 29 August 2023 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals. |
| Issuance Representation (single PP), v4.3 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 29 August 2023 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals. |
| Issuance Representation (multiple PPs), v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 29 August 2023 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals from projects with multiple project proponents. |
| Listing Representation (single PP), v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 29 August 2023 Deed of representation issued in respect of the pipeline project. |
| Listing Representation (multiple PPs), v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 29 August 2023 Deed of representation issued in respect of the pipeline project with multiple project proponents. |
| Validation Representation, v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 29 August 2023 Deed of representation issued in respect of validation. |
| Verification Representation, v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 29 August 2023 Deed of representation issued in respect of verification. |
| Loss Event Representation, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of the loss event report, for project proponents. |
| Accession Registration Representation, v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 29 August 2023 Deed of registration representation issued in respect of project proponents joining a project. |
| Accession Listing Representation, v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 5 April 2022 Updated: 29 August 2023 Deed of listing representation issued in respect of project proponents joining a project. |
| Partial Release Registration Representation, v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 29 August 2023 Deed of representation issued in respect of project proponents leaving a project. |
| VCU Conversion Representation, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of conversion of GHG credits into VCUs. |
| Partial Release Listing Representation, v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 29 August 2023 Deed of listing representation issued in respect of project proponents leaving a project. |
VCS AND CCB PROJECT
| CCB and VCS Project Description, CCB v3.0, VCS v3.3 (DOC) | Issued: 21 June 2017 Project description template for projects using Version 3 of both the CCB and VCS Programs. |
| Plantilla de descripción de proyecto para CCB v3.0 y VCS v4.2 (PDF) | Issued: 21 June 2017 Formato de descripción del proyecto para aquellos que usan de manera conjunta los Programas CCB y VCS. |
| CCB and VCS Monitoring Report, CCB v3.0, VCS v3.4 (DOC) | Issued: 21 June 2017 Monitoring report template for projects using Version 3 of both the CCB and VCS Programs. |
| Plantilla de reporte de monitoreo para CCB v3.0 y VCS v4.2 (PDF) | Issued: 21 June 2017 Formato para el reporter de monitoreo, para proyectos que usan la versión 3 del Programa CCB y la Versión 4 del Programa VCS. |
| CCB and VCS Validation Report, CCB v3.0, VCS v3.4 (DOC) | Issued: 21 June 2017 Validation report template for projects using Version 3 of both the CCB and VCS Programs. |
| Plantilla de reporte de validación para CCB v3.0 y VCS v4.2 (PDF) | Issued: 21 June 2017 Formato para el reporter de validación, para proyectos que usan la version 3 del Programa CCB y la Versión 4 del Programa VCS. |
| CCB and VCS Verification Report, CCB v3.0, VCS v3.4 (DOC) | Issued: 21 June 2017 Verification report template for project using Version 3 of both the CCB and VCS Programs. |
| Plantilla de reporte de verificación para CCB v3.0 y VCS v4.2 (PDF) | Issued: 21 June 2017 Formato para el reporter de verificación, para proyectos que usan la version 3 del Programa CCB y la Versión 4 del Programa VCS. |
| CCB and VCS Monitoring Report, CCB v2.0, VCS v3.4 (DOC) | Issued: 21 June 2017 Monitoring report template for projects validated to the second edition of the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards and using and VCS Program. |
| CCB and VCS Verification Report, CCB v2.0, VCS v3.4 (DOC) | Issued: 21 June 2017 Monitoring report template for projects validated to the second edition of the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards and using and VCS Program. |
| CCB and VCS Monitoring Report, CCB v1.0, VCS v3.4 (DOC) | Issued: 21 June 2017 Monitoring report template for projects validated to the first edition of the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards and using and VCS Program. |
| CCB and VCS Verification Report, CCB v1.0, VCS v3.4 (DOC) | Issued: 21 June 2017 Monitoring report template for projects validated to the first edition of the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards and using and VCS Program. |
Methodology
| Methodology Concept Note Template, v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 2 March 2023 Methodology concept note template. |
| Methodology Idea Note Template, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 21 December 2022 Template to submit a Methodology Idea Note. |
| Methodology Template, v4.3 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 29 August 2023 Methodology template. |
| Module Template, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 21 December 2022 Module template (for tools and modules). |
| Methodology Submission Form and Agreement, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 21 December 2022 Updated: 29 August 2023 Form for submitting a methodology to Verra. |
| Methodology Assessment Report Template, v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 29 August 2023 Report template for validation/verification bodies conducting a first or second methodology assessment. |
VCS and SOCIALCARBON Project
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Project Description Template, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Project description template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard |
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Monitoring Report Template, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Monitoring report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard |
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Validation Report Template, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Validation Report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard |
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Verification Report Template, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Verification report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard |
VCS and W+
| VCS and W+ Project Description, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 3 December 2019 Project description template for projects using the VCS Program and the W+ Standard. |
| VCS and W+ Monitoring Report, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 3 December 2019 Monitoring report template for projects using the VCS Program and the W+ Standard. |
| VCS and W+ Verification Report, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 26 August 2020 Verification report template for projects using the VCS Program and the W+ Standard. |
VVB
| VVB Application Form, v1.2 (DOC) | Issued: 27 July 2022 Validation/verification body application form. |
| Verra VVB Agreement Template, v2.0 (DOC) | Issued: 6 March 2023 VVB agreement template |
| Verra Notice of Validation/Verification Services Form, v1.0 (DOC) | Issued: 12 August 2022 Notice of validation/verification services form. |
Guidance documents are periodically published to illustrate different aspects of the VCS rules using examples and other guidance.
| Nesting Guidance for REDD+ Projects (PDF) | Issued: 11 July 2019 Updated: 10 December 2019 This document provides high-level guidance for VCS REDD+ projects on nesting into existing and emerging national (or subnational) REDD+ programs. |
| Guía de Anidación para Proyectos Redd+ Certificados (PDF) | Actualizado 10 de diciembre de 2019 Este documento proporciona una guía de alto nivel para los proyectos REDD+ de VCS sobre la integración en programas nacionales (o subnacionales) de REDD+ existentes y emergentes. |
| Guidance for Loss Events (PDF) | Issued: 8 March 2011 Provides examples for determining the proper number of credits to be placed on hold or cancelled due to a loss event in a Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) project. |
| Guidance for ARR Calculating Long-Term Average Carbon Stock (PDF) | Issued: 8 March 2011 Provides scenarios for calculating the average carbon stock over various harvesting cycles for Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR) and Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects. |
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Project Development Process (PDF) | Issued: 21 May 2014 Guides project developers pursuing project certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard. |
| VCS & W+ Project Development Process (PDF) | Guides project developers pursuing project certification under VCS and the W+ Standard. |
| Article 6 Label Guidance, v1.0 (PDF) | Issued: 29 August 2023 Provides guidance and requirements for applying Article 6 labels to VCUs. |
| Mitigation Outcome Type Label Guidance, v1.1 (PDF) | Issued: 29 August 2023 Last Updated: 8 September 2023 Provides guidance and requirements for applying mitigation outcome type labels to VCUs. |
VVB Guidance
| Validation and Verification Manual, v3.2 (PDF) | Issued: 4 October 2012 Updated: 19 October 2016 Supports validation/verification bodies (VVBs) and other VCS stakeholders to consistently and accurately interpret VCS Program requirements and procedures. |
Other Guidance
| Guidance on Converting CERs to VCUs (PDF) | Provides guidance on the procedure for cancelling Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) issued by the UNFCCC’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and converting them to VCUs. |
Sectoral Scopes
Projects, activities, or methodologies can be developed under any of the 16 VCS sectoral scopes.
Projects, activities, or methodologies can be developed under any of the 16 VCS sectoral scopes.
- Energy (renewable/non-renewable)
- Energy distribution
- Energy demand
- Manufacturing industries
- Chemical industry
- Construction
- Transport
- Mining/Mineral production
- Metal production
- Fugitive emissions – from fuels (solid, oil, and gas)
- Fugitive emissions – from Industrial gases (halocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride)
- Solvents use
- Waste handling and disposal
- Agriculture, forestry and other land use (AFOLU)
- Livestock and manure management
- Carbon capture and storage
Methodologies
VCS methodologies set out detailed procedures for quantifying the real greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits of a project and provide guidance to help project developers determine project boundaries, set baselines, assess additionality, and ultimately quantify the GHG emissions that were reduced or removed.
Validation and Verification
An independent validation and verification process is critical to ensure the integrity of the projects registered in the VCS Program. Qualified, independent third-party auditors known as validation/verification bodies (VVBs) are tasked with assessing projects against the VCS Program rules and the requirements of the applied methodology.
Verra Registry
The Verra Registry is the cornerstone for the implementation of Verra’s standards and programs. It facilitates the transparent listing of information on registered projects and projects pursuing registration, issued and retired units, and enables the trading of units. It is the central repository for all information and documentation relating to Verra projects and credits. The Verra Registry also ensures the uniqueness of projects and credits in the system.
The VCS in Compliance Markets
Certain compliance markets are accepting high-quality carbon credits issued by voluntary GHG crediting programs, including the VCS, to fulfill their respective emission reduction and/or removal requirements. Currently, the VCS Program is accepted into the compliance markets in Colombia and South Africa. The VCS Program is eligible to supply emission reduction units for compliance under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
Governance and Development
The Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program is managed by Verra with the support of the VCS Program Advisory Group. Verra is committed to making certain that the VCS Program reflects the latest scientific research and is continually improved with respect to the consistency and accuracy of GHG emissions accounting.
For more information on the VCS Version 4 development process and program updates, see the Governance and Development page.
Complaints and Appeals Policy
Verra provides a Complaints and Appeals Policy that applies to all standards and programs managed by Verra.