VMD0055 Jurisdictional Data Table

Allocated deforestation risk maps are an integral part of developing and registering projects under Verra’s new REDD methodology VM0048 Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, v1.0 and the associated module VMD0055 Avoided Unplanned Deforestation, v1.1.

This page lays out the tiers of data Verra, together with contracted data service providers (DSPs), develops for this purpose and how these data are being developed. It also includes a jurisdictional data table that indicates the following:

• Jurisdictions for which Verra has published the provisional resolution and the final open-access allocated deforestation risk maps, and the final VMD0055-compliant risk maps (including links to access the data)
• The projected availability of these data for the remaining jurisdictions

The data Verra provides to project proponents include provisional and final open-access allocated deforestation risk maps, and VMD0055-compliant risk maps.

Open-Access Risk Maps (Provisional and Final)

Project proponents can use the open-access data (provisional or final) to conduct due diligence and explore the feasibility of registering a project using Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) methodology VM0048 Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, v1.0 and the associated module VMD0055 Avoided Unplanned Deforestation, v1.1 with the VCS Program. The final open-access data, once published, replaces the provisional open-access data.

VMD0055-Compliant Risk Maps

Proponents must acquire the VMD0055-compliant risk maps to register a REDD project in the VCS Program.

To enable baseline setting in REDD projects using VM0048 and VMD0055, Verra will spatially allocate unplanned deforestation activity data across a jurisdiction based on risk.

The development of these data includes the collection of historical deforestation data, the generation of forest cover benchmark maps (FCBMs), the development of jurisdictional deforestation risk maps, and the spatial allocation of the total amount of deforestation predicted by the risk map, resulting in a jurisdictional map of allocated risk.

The process is laid out in detail below.

Verra will first publish the provisional allocated deforestation risk map for each jurisdiction, which can be used for due diligence purposes. Provisional data have not yet undergone a final review. Technical notes about the data will be shared along with the provisional data.

Stakeholders who identify accuracy issues in the provisional open-access data can provide this information within three weeks of the release date via a dedicated feedback form .

Once the data have been finalized, Verra will release (1) the final open-access data, which proponents can continue to use for due diligence purposes, and (2) VMD0055-compliant data, which proponents must acquire if they want to register a REDD project in the VCS Program. Updated and complete technical notes will be shared at that point.

Verra aims to publish the final open-access and VMD0055-compliant data two to three months after the release of the provisional open-access data, contingent on feedback received and provided the VMD0055-compliant data clears the required third-party review. Updates about the development status of VMD0055-compliant data and any issues identified with the provisional open-access data are provided on the Development Status of VMD0055-Compliant Jurisdictional Maps of Allocated Deforestation Risk webpage.