Data and Insights: Colombia

VCS Quarterly Update

ISSUE #6 - Q3/2021
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Guidance Document: Using Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) in the Context of the Colombian Carbon Tax

Main Takeaways

VCU issuances hit quarterly record

6,381,414 were issued by VCS projects in Colombia in Q3/2021 — a quarterly record. 2021 VCU issuances from projects in Colombia already exceed total issuances in 2020 and 2019.

REDD+ projects issue 100% of VCU

As in the previous quarter, all VCUs issued were from REDD+ projects in Q3/2021.

Retirements increase more than sixfold

2,071,427 VCUs were retired from Colombian projects in Colombia in Q3/2021, over 6 times more than in the previous quarter.

VCS Data and Insights: Colombia - Q3/2021
PROJECTS
This chart includes cumulative data about VCS projects in Colombia.
Project Total
Under Development 12
Under Validation 5
Registration Requested 4
Registered 39
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Withdrawn 3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

769,965,785
VCUs Globally
167,452,092
cars taken off the road
for a year
30,381,466 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.
**as of 30 September 2021
VCU Issuances by Project Type
AFOLU*
Energy
Waste
Project Type VCUs
AFOLU* 29,726,937
Energy 634,807
Waste 19,722
*Agriculture, Forestry, and Land Use
VCU Issuances by AFOLU* Project Type
Project Type VCUs Percentage of Total
REDD 28,849,585 97%
ARR 817,989 2.8%
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.
22,762,424 VCUs
4,950,370
cars taken off the road
for a year
3,899,784 VCUs Retired for Voluntary Purposes
18,862,640 VCUs Retired for Compliance Purposes
Retirements: Compliance vs. Voluntary
Issuances for Q2 of 2021
163,138
VCUs
163,138
VCUs from AFOLU* Projects
OF WHICH
163,138
VCUs from REDD Projects
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
Retirements for Q2 2021
320,783
VCUs
Retirements for Q3 2021**
2,071,427
VCUs
** As of 30 September 2021
Download Source Data File