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Overview 
Dear Stakeholders,
We close the year out with some of the most exciting news of 2025: earlier this week, we launched version 5 of our market-leading Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program! The updated version includes Verra’s most comprehensive social and environmental safeguards, a new durability pilot, stronger rights and transparency, and strengthened general requirements across the full project lifecycle. VCS Version 5 reflects all our learnings of the last several years, resulting in a program that continues to shape an evolving carbon market and ensures it advances credible climate benefits and community safeguards.
The coming year will bring new opportunities to take this work to the next level. In her latest thought piece, Verra CEO Mandy Rambharos reflects on what we have accomplished in 2025 and looks ahead to 2026. By strengthening the market’s ability to advance impactful climate action, we can deliver climate finance at scale and where it is needed most, benefiting people and the planet.
As 2026 approaches, we look forward to the upcoming launch of version 1.0 phase 1 of our Scope 3 Standard (S3S) Program, which will enable companies to address their Scope 3 emissions. This is an essential component of mitigating the damaging effects of global climate change, as these emissions often represent the majority of a company’s climate impact.
We wish everyone a restful and rejuvenating holiday season and look forward to reconnecting in 2026!
Bayer CropScience LP is a Catalyst Sponsor for the development of the Scope 3 Standard Program. Thank you for your support!
Top News
Verra is a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting climate and environmental markets that work for people and the planet. This work is complex. It’s ambitious. And it’s only possible with your support.
Verra Views
As the markets evolve, so does our thinking. Below are the most recent pieces that offer a window into the insights of Verra’s many thought leaders as they grapple with this complicated, ever-evolving sector.
We’re transitioning the Verra Registry in 2026! We will begin sharing concrete details and reaching out to account holders in Q1 2026. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our website.
Project Spotlight
This month, we’re highlighting the Restoration of Homestead Lands of Poor Rural Communities in Assam and Meghalaya project (Verra Project 3892), which is restoring 8,860 hectares of degraded farmland in India. Supported by Fair Climate Fund India and Rangsang Agro Producer Company Limited, this is the first greenfield project in India to register with the VCS Program.
At its heart, this is a community-led project that involves thousands of smallholder farmers. By focusing on agroforestry plantations and sustainable agriculture, it aims to support food security, boost regional biodiversity, and build long-term land resilience.
Program Updates
Verified Carbon Standard Program
- Verra Launches Version 5 of the VCS Program
- Verra Marks Key CORSIA Milestone with Release of Approved Insurance Products
- Verra Issues First CCP-Labeled Credits Under Improved Forest Management (IFM) Methodology
- Verra to Pilot Innovative Approaches to Addressing Durability
- Consultation: Major Revision to Sustainable Grasslands Methodology
- Serious Allegations Prompt Verra to Reject China Projects and Launch Broader Reviews
- Verra Releases Revised Methodology for the Destruction of Ozone-Depleting Substances and Hydrofluorocarbons
Cross-Programmatic Announcements
Requests for Proposals
Verra regularly invites proposals for independent expert review of revisions of existing methodologies or drafts of new methodologies. The following request for proposals is currently open:
- Request for Proposals for an independent expert review of a proposed methodology for emission reductions and increased carbon sequestration through traditional savanna fire management—Deadline: January 9
Last Chance to Share Your Feedback on the Verra Project Hub!
Our survey about the Verra Project Hub is open through Friday, December 19! Your input will help us understand what aspects of our digital platform are working well, identify areas where challenges may exist, and determine how we can continue to improve your experience. Thank you for contributing!
Take the Survey (form)
Regular Updates
Verra-Hosted Webinars
Please join us for a webinar to learn more about version 5 of the VCS Program:
- Overview of Version 5 of the VCS Program – Wednesday, February 4, at 10:00 am ET
Also, be sure to mark your calendar for Verra’s quarterly stakeholder update webinars in 2026:
- Stakeholder Update Webinar (January 2026) – Wednesday, January 28, at 11:00 am ET
- Stakeholder Update Webinar (April 2026) – Wednesday, April 29, at 11:00 am ET
- Stakeholder Update Webinar (July 2026) – Wednesday, July 29, at 11:00 am ET
- Stakeholder Update Webinar (October 2026) – Wednesday, October 28, at 11:00 am ET
Verra Staff at Events
Join Verra at Carbon Forward Middle East 2026! The conference will take place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from January 14 to 15, 2026. Heather McEwan, regional representative for Africa and the Middle East, will represent Verra at a panel discussion titled “Building Confidence in the VCM,” where she will explore the role of the Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) and measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) technologies in building trust and scaling the voluntary carbon market.
To connect with Heather in Abu Dhabi, please send a message to events@verra.org.
Your Feedback Matters!
To ensure the transparency and rigor of our standards programs, Verra invites feedback on projects open for public comment, as well as public consultations on new standards programs, program updates, new methodologies, and updates to existing methodologies.