Invitation to Apply: VCS Program Advisory Group  

The 2024 membership application window for Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program Advisory Group is now open. Applications will be accepted through November 8, 2024.

The VCS Program Advisory Group is a strategic resource to support the near- and long-term progress of the VCS Program in meeting the integrity needs of the evolving voluntary carbon market and achieving greater impact, both through the development of VCS Version 5 and beyond. Its purpose is to bring together a diverse group of independent, world-class experts whose knowledge and perspectives complement the expertise of Verra’s Board of Directors, staff, and other advisory groups and committees.

Each year, Verra recruits new members for the VCS Program Advisory Group. Approximately one-third of members are replaced annually to ensure the group continues to include members with diverse experiences and areas of expertise and from various sectors, including academia, civil society, government, non-governmental organizations, validation/verification bodies, VCS project developers, and corporate leaders.

Advisory group members guide and inform strategic thinking on various programmatic issues, including the following:

• Ensuring the VCS Program and associated methodologies maintain the highest quality and integrity by incorporating the latest science and research, best practices, lessons learned, and new technologies
• Keeping the VCS Program relevant to the global path to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and defining its role in the net-zero world
• Maximizing the sustainable development benefits of the VCS Program and ensuring that enhanced safeguards consistently prevent negative impacts of VCS projects
• Integrating the VCS Program with broader carbon markets and climate action initiatives (e.g., Nationally Determined Contributions and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, domestic carbon markets, climate finance)
• Considering new approaches to the VCS Program’s principles (relevance, completeness, consistency, accuracy, transparency, and conservativeness) and its fundamental processes (e.g., baseline-setting, monitoring, verification, and avoiding double-counting) for greater integrity and impact
• Aligning with carbon market integrity initiatives and emerging best practices
• Exploring how Verra can further catalyze voluntary climate action through complementary actions such as supply chain (Scope 3) emission reductions and developing guidance for Verified Carbon Unit (VCU) buyers
• Improving the usability of project data and refining the VCU labels

Interested stakeholders are invited to apply by November 8 via the online Google form (external). If you are having trouble completing the form or have questions, please email programupdates@verra.org.