Verra has initiated the development of a new Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program methodology for the quantification of greenhouse gas emissions from rice production systems. The new methodology will replace the UNFCCC Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) methodology AMS-III.AU.: Methane emission reduction by adjusted water management practice in rice cultivation (external). Verra permanently inactivated the CDM methodology in March 2023, following a thorough review per Section 5 of the VCS Methodology Development and Review Process, v4.2 (PDF).
The new methodology will streamline the implementation process while enabling project proponents to credibly achieve emission reductions and generate high-quality Verified Carbon Units (VCUs). The methodology will incorporate clear and concise guidance as well as efficient processes for the quantification of emission reductions, the determination of additionality, and transparent data and measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) procedures.
ATOA Carbon (external) will lead the methodology development process and Bayer Crop Science, Shell subsidiary Shell Energy India Private Limited, and GenZero will act as advisors.
The initial draft of the methodology is expected to be released for public consultation in Q2 2024 with a final version anticipated before the end of 2024.
Webinar
As part of the initial outreach phase, Verra hosted a public webinar on January 16, 2024, at 10:00 am ET to present the VCS methodology development process and introduce the ATOA Carbon team, who provided an in-depth overview of the planned methodology, including its scope and key attributes. This webinar forms part of a broader stakeholder engagement effort prior to the public consultation.