Transition of REDD Projects to the consolidated REDD Methodology - FAQs

Once activity data are available for a jurisdiction, all projects in this jurisdiction (new, listed, or registered) can adopt the new REDD methodology. After a six-month grace period following the activity data release, the new methodology becomes mandatory, as set out below.

1. I’m developing a new project: I must use the consolidated REDD methodology if I request pipeline listing (with either the “under development” or the “under validation” status) after the end of the six-month grace period.
2. My project is listed with the status “under development”: I must use the consolidated REDD methodology if I request a status change to “under validation” after the end of the six-month grace period.
3. My project is listed with the status “under validation”
   1. I may proceed with validation using any AUDD methodology (VM0006, VM0007, VM0009, VM0015, and VM0037) if:
      1. My project was listed “under validation” before the end of the six-month grace period and
      2. My project completes validation within one year of the start of the public comment period.
   2. If the two conditions above are met, and I can complete verification before 1 January 2025, I can verify using the registered baseline.
   3. In cases other than those outlined in a and b above, I must use the consolidated REDD methodology to proceed with validation.
4. My project is registered, and my project baseline is still valid
   1. I may proceed with verification using my registered valid baseline if I can demonstrate that verification was initiated before the end of the six-month grace period. Such a demonstration requires proof of VVB contracting and a complete draft monitoring report.
   2. In all other cases, I must adopt the consolidated REDD methodology to verify.
5. My project is registered, but my project baseline is no longer valid, and I need to reassess the baseline to be able to verify
   1. I may proceed with baseline reassessment and verification if I can demonstrate that verification and baseline reassessment were initiated before the end of the six-month grace period.
      1. Such a demonstration requires proof of VVB contracting and a complete draft monitoring report that includes baseline reassessment.
      2. The reassessed baseline will only be valid for the verification report for which verification has been initiated before the end of the six-month grace period. After that, the project must adopt the consolidated REDD methodology.
   2. In all other cases, I must adopt the consolidated REDD methodology to verify using the baseline allocated to my project.

A list of jurisdictions that Verra has prioritized for activity data collection, risk mapping, and activity data allocation is available on the consolidated REDD methodology webpage. Please complete this form (external site) if a jurisdiction you would like to see AD allocated in does not appear in that list.

Verra will produce activity data (data that describe the rate of deforestation) for a jurisdiction. It will use that and other relevant data to build a risk map showing the risk of deforestation across the jurisdiction. The jurisdictional activity data and risk map will be used to allocate activity data to each project within the jurisdiction. Project proponents can then use those data, together with locally estimated emission factors, to calculate the annual baseline emissions from carbon stock changes in their project area and estimate the net emissions under the baseline scenario.

Verra hosted a webinar series in October and November 2021 to explain the approach we put out for consultation in April and May 2022. While that approach is currently being refined based on stakeholder feedback, the general principles in the webinar recording (opens on external site) and slides (PDF) on Setting the Baseline: Activity Data and Allocation to Projects establish Verra’s direction of travel.

Anyone, including project proponents and governments, can provide relevant inputs (e.g., sample plot observations representative of the jurisdiction, including those developed for the national forest reference emissions level, ancillary data layers, alternative deforestation risk models, etc.) for calculating the jurisdictional activity data and constructing the jurisdictional deforestation risk map to the data service provider that Verra selects for the jurisdiction. Verra will then compare, in statistical terms, the ability of various alternative risk maps to predict deforestation across the jurisdiction; the best able risk map will be formally adopted by Verra as the risk map for that individual jurisdiction. Verra will utilize the jurisdictional activity data and deforestation risk map to allocate activity data to each project in the jurisdiction.

Verra will inform all projects listed or registered on the Verra Registry when we begin to develop data for the jurisdiction in which they are located. At that point, they will be able to contribute to establishing activity data and risk maps for the jurisdiction and submit a formal request for allocation of activity data using a template provided by Verra. Once Verra has received a formal request and associated payment, Verra will provide allocated data to the respective project proponent. Please contact Basanta Gautam, Manager, REDD+ Technical Innovation (bgautam@verra.org) for more information.

The initial version of the consolidated REDD methodology will be based on the modules that were consulted on in April-May 2022. Therefore, it will cover only the Avoiding Unplanned Deforestation component of REDD. Methodological elements aimed at addressing other REDD activities, including Avoiding Planned Deforestation and Avoiding (Planned and Unplanned) Degradation, will be developed next to create a comprehensive REDD methodology by 2025. Verra’s goal is to ensure that any component addressed under VM0006, VM0007, VM0009, VM0015, or VM0037 is covered by the consolidated REDD methodology or another VCS methodology.

Such cases will be considered on a project-by-project basis. Please contact Salvador Sánchez Colón, Manager, REDD+ Technical Innovation, (scolon@verra.org) with questions. Please include the project identification number in the subject line of your email (if your project is already on the Verra Registry).

The consolidated REDD methodology will set out requirements for activity data. If a government-produced forest reference emission level (FREL) or forest reference level (FRL) uses activity data that meets VCS requirements, we encourage stakeholders to submit the activity data to Verra.

Projects that use the consolidated REDD methodology are not necessarily considered nested projects. Similar to JNR, the allocation approach is used in the consolidated REDD methodology to maintain the integrity of greenhouse gas accounting within a jurisdiction. However, no jurisdictional program or government involvement is required.

View information on Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ framework.

When a version of the consolidated REDD methodology has been published that accounts for all Avoiding Planned and Unplanned Deforestation and Degradation activities, Verra will withdraw the existing AUDD and APDD methodologies. Elements of existing REDD methodologies not covered by the consolidated REDD methodology may be covered in other VCS methodologies.