Consultation: Revision to Tidal Wetland and Seagrass Restoration Methodology (VM0033) 

Verra is launching a public consultation on a major revision to VM0033 Methodology for Tidal Wetland and Seagrass Restoration, v2.1 (methodology development ID #M0167) in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program, which would result in the publication of VM0033, v3.0. The consultation will run from September 3, 2026, through October 5, 2026.

VM0033 outlines procedures to quantify net greenhouse gas emission reductions and carbon dioxide removals resulting from project activities implemented to restore blue carbon ecosystems, including tidal wetlands. Such activities include creating and/or managing the conditions required for healthy, sustainable wetland ecosystems.

The draft version of VM0033, v3.0 includes the following:

• A modular framework, replacing the single consolidated methodology structure of v2.1 and enabling a more streamlined use of the methodology
• A new dynamic performance benchmark for afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation and restoration of wetland ecosystems projects in tidal wetlands (ARR+RWE)
• An updated approach to handling leakage emissions, largely drawing from VMD0054 Estimating Leakage from the Displacement of Agricultural Activities, v1.1
• Various updates to align with the latest advancements in tidal wetland science (e.g., updated default factors)

The consultation also includes the methodology’s newly introduced associated modules:

• VMD00BM Biomass and Dead Wood
• VMD00TW Tidal Wetland Soils
• VMD00ARR Tidal Wetland Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation
• VMD00LK Leakage from RWE and ARR+RWE Project Activities

Silvestrum Climate Associates led the development of these revisions. An independent expert review will be conducted in parallel with the public consultation.

The current version of the methodology (v2.1) is digitalized, and Verra will prioritize creating a digitalized version of v3.0 to be released around the time of publication.

Please see the following draft documents for the full background and details about the proposed updates:

Verra is accepting feedback through its digital public consultation platform, which is hosted on the Verra Project Hub. Stakeholders will need to use the link provided to enter their personal details, confirm their email address, and access the online consultation form. For additional guidance, please review the user guide (PDF).

Comments may be submitted electronically via the online form by 11:59 pm Anywhere on Earth (UTC-12) on October 5, 2026. If you experience issues using the digital public consultation platform or have feedback on it, please contact hubsupport@verra.org.