WASHINGTON — Dec. 4, 2025 | Verra has issued the first credits with the Core Carbon Principles (CCP) label under its Improved Forest Management (IFM) methodology, VM0045, which was recently approved by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM).

VM0045 Improved Forest Management Using Dynamic Matched Baselines from National Forest Inventories introduced a groundbreaking approach to forest carbon accounting, using continuously monitored, real-world forest inventory data to establish dynamic baselines.

The Family Forest Carbon Program – Central Appalachia project, developed by the American Forest Foundation (AFF) with the support from The Nature Conservancy, was issued 18,326 Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) under version 1.2 of VM0045. While the project was initially developed under version 1.1, AFF proactively transitioned to version 1.2 following that version’s ICVCM approval, demonstrating a strong continued commitment to environmental integrity and high-quality carbon finance.

The issuance is a powerful example of how VM0045 advances forest conservation by small-acreage landowners, who have historically been excluded from voluntary carbon markets due to high costs and complexity.

“This is a powerful example of how innovation and integrity can work hand-in-hand to unlock new opportunities for forest stewardship. VM0045 not only meets the highest standards of climate rigor but also empowers rural landowners to participate in climate action in innovative and impactful ways. We’re proud to see CCP-labeled credits being generated by a project that puts family forest owners at the center of the solution.”

Mandy Rambharos, CEO, Verra

VM0045 currently uses data from the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) database, which aggregates data on forests in the United States. However, the methodology is globally relevant, providing a framework for project developers in other countries to apply using similar datasets available at the country level. Additional work is underway that will enable the use of appropriate National Forest Inventories in additional countries.

Contact:

Media Inquiries: Erdem Koch | media@verra.org

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Verra is a global leader helping to tackle the world’s most intractable environmental and social challenges. As a mission-driven nonprofit organization, Verra is committed to helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve livelihoods, and protect natural resources by working with the private and public sectors. We support climate action and sustainable development with standards programs and tools that credibly, transparently, and robustly assess environmental and social impacts and enable funding for sustaining and scaling up projects that verifiably deliver these benefits.