May 2026 Newsletter

Welcome to Verra’s May Newsletter!

It’s been a whirlwind of a week in Singapore, where Ecosperity, GenZero Climate Summit, and Innovate4Climate have been taking place. Verra CEO Mandy Rambharos had several speaking engagements and welcomed the opportunity to talk with stakeholders about how to scale carbon markets and environmental impact.

We are pleased to share that two Verra methodologies have been approved by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) as meeting the Core Carbon Principles (CCPs). VMR0017 Grid-Connected Electricity Generation from Renewable Sources and ACM0008 Abatement of methane from coal mines (versions 6–8) add to Verra’s growing portfolio of CCP-approved methodologies.

Another highlight this month was the registration of the first project under our food loss and waste methodology, VM0046. The Brightly – Reducing Food Loss and Waste project works with nonprofit food rescue organizations to keep edible surplus food in the human food system and out of landfills. It is expected to support the rescue of approximately 167 million pounds of food over its seven-year crediting period and to generate over 115,000 tonnes of CO₂e in emission reductions.

Finally, we published the public results from our Performance Monitoring Program (PMP) for validation/verification bodies (VVBs), with data pertaining to project review requests closed during 2025. By sharing this information, we are increasing the transparency around VVB performance in general and supporting project proponents in making informed decisions when it comes to selecting a VVB for their project.

• Verra Secures ICVCM Approval for Renewable Energy and Mine Methane Methodologies
• Verra Registers First Project under Food Loss and Waste Methodology
• Verra Publishes VVB Performance Data

As the markets evolve, so does our thinking. Below is the most recent piece that offers a window into the insights of Verra’s many thought leaders as they grapple with this complicated, ever-evolving sector.

Congratulations to the Carbon Farming Program of Lithuania (Verra Project 4201) for completing its registration with the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program! This grouped agricultural land management project is implemented by InSoil across 18,510 hectares throughout Lithuania.

This project is one of the first large-scale soil carbon projects in Europe. It is a vital step forward for the region, where half of the land is dedicated to agriculture and has faced significant challenges from conventional farming, including soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and nutrient leaching.

Using Verra’s methodology for improved agricultural land management (VM0042), the project supports Lithuanian farmers in adopting regenerative practices, such as the use of cover crops and improved residue management. The methodology allows them to credibly quantify both soil carbon gains and greenhouse gas emission reductions through a strong MRV framework.

The project is expected to deliver emission reductions and removals of more than 585,000 tCO2e over its 20-year lifetime. InSoil is also committed to updating the project to VM0042 v2.2, which is approved as meeting the Core Carbon Principles, for all future verifications.

• Verra Announces Vetted Data Service Providers for ARR Methodology
• Verra Publishes Final Deforestation Risk Maps for Colombia, Cambodia, and Mai Ndombe (DRC)
• Consultation: Revision to Improved Forest Management Methodology
• Verra Selects Data Service Providers to Produce REDD Risk Maps
• Verra Launches FSC Label for Carbon Credits
• Consultation: Methodology for Enhanced Forest Sequestration
• Verra Reinstates Eight China-Based Projects After Completing Reviews
• Corrections and Clarifications to REDD Module

• Digital Communications Agreement Templates Available on the Verra Project Hub
• Verra Stakeholder Update Webinar – April 2026: Recap

On May 21, 2026, Verra released Corrections and Clarifications to VM0016, v2.0. All projects using VM0016, v2.0 must apply these corrections and clarifications.

• Webinar recording: Navigating CORSIA and Article 6.2 – May 20
• Webinar recording: PACM, Article 6.2, CORSIA—Oh My! (April 2026 Stakeholder Update Webinar) – April 29

• Overview of Verra’s Durability Pilot – Wednesday, May 27, at 10:00 am ET
• Renewable Energy DMRV in Practice – Wednesday, May 27, at 10:00 am ET

Mark your calendar for our remaining quarterly stakeholder update webinars in 2026:

• 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 CEO Mandy Rambharos and other Verra staff regularly speak at and attend different events around the world to engage in important discussions that help advance the impact of carbon and other markets. For a comprehensive list of all upcoming events, please check our Events page. If you’d like to invite a Verra team member to speak at your event, please contact events@verra.org.