Please provide your feedback on the revision of VM0042 by completing this pre-consultation survey (external) by July 5, 2024.
Verra is initiating a new major revision (methodology development ID #M0264) to VM0042 Methodology for Improved Agricultural Land Management that will result in version 3.0 of the methodology. Updating and strengthening this methodology is a critical part of Verra’s work to accelerate the scaling up of regenerative agriculture project activities.
The proposed revisions to VM0042 will improve a range of measurement, reporting, and verification elements. The proposed changes include the following:
- Enhancing standardization for land stratification, soil sampling procedures, and soil sample processing and laboratory analysis when determining changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks
- Introducing a baseline approach that can accommodate flexible crop rotations by averaging baseline data for multiple crops. This “blended baseline” can then be compared to the project scenario regardless of changes to crop rotation patterns that may occur due to market conditions, weather fluctuations, or other variables.
- Bringing woody biomass quantification into alignment with Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Methodology VM0047 Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation, v1.0
- Clarifying the purpose of repeated measurements when following a “measure and model” approach to quantifying SOC stock changes
Verra is conducting the revision process with the support of TerraCarbon (external), who are acting as consultants.
Webinar
On Tuesday, June 18, at 12:00 pm ET, Verra hosted a webinar to present the proposed revisions and updates. View the webinar recording below.
Development Timeline
Verra is planning to begin the formal public consultation on the draft of VM0042, v3.0 in Q4 of 2024. The publication of the final version of VM0042, v3.0 is expected for the first half of 2025.
These proposed updates will build on VM0042, v2.1, a minor revision (methodology development ID #M0268) to VM0042, v2.0 that is currently being finalized and that focuses solely on the separation of reductions and removals quantification.