Data and Insights: Colombia

VCS Quarterly Update

ISSUE #7 - Q4/2021
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Guidance Document: Using Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) in the Context of the Colombian Carbon Tax

Main Takeaways

Second-highest annual VCU issuances in 2021

More than 8.3 million VCUs were issued to Colombian projects in 2021, the second-highest number of annual issuances since the implementation of the carbon tax in 2016. The highest number was in 2018.

REDD+ projects continue to play strong role

In Q4/2021, 94.5% of VCUs were issued to REDD+ projects, which have consistently issued more than 90% of VCUs in previous quarters.

The carbon tax continues to drive retirements

To date, more than 80% (18,877,384) of retired VCUs from VCS projects in Colombia were retired for the purpose of satisfying carbon tax liabilities.

VCS Data and Insights: Colombia - Q4/2021
PROJECTS
This chart includes cumulative data about VCS projects in Colombia.
Project Total
Under Development 9
Under Validation 5
Registration Requested 2
Registered 40
Transferred* 1
Withdrawn 3
*Projects whose credits were transferred from another GHG program
Project Types
AFOLU*
Energy
Manufacturing
Waste
Project Total
AFOLU* 38
Energy 22
Manufacturing 2
Waste 2
*Agriculture, Forestry, and Land Use
AFOLU Project Types
Afforestation, Restoration, Reforestation
REDD+
Blue Carbon
Project Total
Afforestation, Restoration, Reforestation 11
REDD+ 25
Blue Carbon 2
33,067,800 Expected Annual Reductions from All Projects in Colombia
Summary Totals to Date
VCU Issuances* (Total to Date)

*One VCU represents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent that was removed from the atmosphere or not emitted.

Greenhouse gas equivalencies for emission reductions and removals were calculated using the EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator

846,740,444
VCUs Globally
181,666,950
cars taken off the road
for a year
30,622,079 VCUs from Projects in Colombia
Hover with your cursor over the bar to see what these emission reductions are equivalent to
VCU Issuances by Year
*The Colombian carbon tax was implemented at the end of 2016.
VCU Issuances by Project Type
AFOLU*
Energy
Waste
Project Type VCUs
AFOLU* 29,829,297
Energy 773,060
Waste 19,722
*Agriculture, Forestry, and Land Use
VCU Issuances by AFOLU* Project Type
Project Type VCUs Percentage of Total
REDD 28,951,945 97.1%
ARR 817,989 2.7%
WRC 59,363 0.2%

ALM – Agricultural Land Management
ARR – Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegation
IFM – Improved Forest Management
REDD – Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation
WRC – Wetland Restoration and Conservation

*AFOLU – Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use
Retirements
VCUs that have been purchased and taken off the market forever; a retired VCU represents a carbon offset.
23,238,731 VCUs
5,007,232
cars taken off the road
for a year
4,361,347 VCUs Retired for Voluntary Purposes
18,877,384 VCUs Retired for Compliance Purposes
Issuances for Q3 of 2021
6,381,414
VCUs
6,381,414
VCUs from AFOLU* Projects
OF WHICH
6,381,414
VCUs from REDD Projects
Issuances for Q4 of 2021**
418,227
VCUs
102,341
VCUs from AFOLU* Projects
OF WHICH
100,000
VCUs from REDD Projects
Retirements for Q3 2021
2,071,427
VCUs
Retirements for Q4 2021**
476,307
VCUs
** As of 31 December 2021
Retirements: Compliance vs. Voluntary
*AFOLU – Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use
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