Status

Active

Active Since

14 July 2026

Mitigation
Outcome Label
Eligibility

Reductions

Sectoral Scope

15. Agriculture

This methodology applies to projects implementing improved water and crop management practices in flooded rice systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It replaces the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) methodology AMS-III.AU Methane emission reduction by adjusted water management practice in rice cultivation, which Verra inactivated in March 2023.

Please note:

  • VM0051 v1.0 will be inactivated on August 1, 2027. See “Implications for VCS Projects” below for more details.

Modules

Tools

  • VM0051, v1.0 will be inactivated in the VCS Program on 1 August 2027.
  • Projects that request registration or crediting period renewal on or after 1 August 2027 must apply VM0051, v1.1.
  • Projects that use VM0051, v1.0 may submit the following types of requests until 31 July 2027:
    • Registration requests
    • Crediting period renewal requests
    • Verification approval requests where the verification includes a methodology change through a project description deviation
    • Requantification requests
  • Projects that meet the submission deadlines above may continue to apply VM0051, v1.0 for the remainder of their crediting period. These projects must update to an active version of VM0051 at their next crediting period renewal.
  • Registered projects using VM0051, v1.0 may update to VM0051, v1.1 during their crediting period using one of the following:
    • Procedure to Change Project Methodology through a Project Description Deviation for future monitoring periods, or
    • Methodology Change and Requantification Procedure for past and future monitoring periods and requantify the reductions from past verifications

Development History

VM0051 Improved Management in Paddy Rice Production Systems, v1.1

Status: Active since 14 July 2026
Mitigation Outcome Label Eligibility: Reductions
Summary of Changes:

  • Updated to follow the VCS Methodology Template, v5.0
  • Updated references to VCS Version 5
  • Updated sectoral scope from 14: AFOLU to 15: Agriculture
  • Updated requirement for baseline reassessment every five years or at project crediting renewal
  • Introduction of guidance in Section 9.3.1 to clarify that the project monitoring plan must also consider recommendations from the expert to ensure implementation of safeguards to prevent SOC losses
  • Introduction of guidance to clarify that project-specific expert recommendations for SOC safeguards and project activities falls within the expert’s assessment mandate, as part of broader agronomic evaluation and suitability to specific project conditions (Section 9.3.3).
  • Introduction of guidance to consider parameters listed in Table 4 (Appendix 1) as optional while identifying cultivation patterns for stratification of the project area
  • General editorial improvements and clarifications

Tracked Changes Document: VM0051 Improved Management in Rice Production Systems, v1.1 – Tracked Changes (PDF)
Developer(s): Verra
Dates of Public Consultation: N/A
Draft Shared During Public Consultation: N/A
Summary of Public Consultation: N/A
Independent Expert Reports: N/A
Announcement(s): Verra Publishes Minor Revision to Rice Methodology (VM0051)

VM0051 Improved Management in Paddy Rice Production Systems, v1.0 (PDF)

Status: Active from 27 February 2025 to 1 August 2027
Inactivation Date: 1 August 2027
Request Deadlines:
Projects that use VM0051, v1.0 may submit the following types of requests until 31 July 2027:

  • Registration requests
  • Crediting period renewal requests
  • Verification approval requests where the verification includes a methodology change through a project description deviation
  • Requantification requests

Projects that meet the submission deadlines above may continue to apply VM0051, v1.0 for the remainder of their crediting period. These projects must update to an active version of VM0051 at their next crediting period renewal.

Mitigation Outcome Label Eligibility: Reductions
Developer(s): Verra and ATOA Carbon (external). Verra led the development process with the support of consultant ATOA Carbon and external reviewers.
Dates of Public Consultation: June 11, 2024, to July 12, 2024.
Draft Shared During Public Consultation: VM0051, v1.0 Draft Methodology (PDF)
Summary of Public Consultation: VM0051, v1.0 Summary of Public Consultation (PDF)
Expert Assessment Report(s): 1st Expert Assessment Report for VM0051, v1.0 (PDF) , 2nd Expert Assessment Report for VM0051, v1.0 (PDF), Limited Scope VVB Assessment Report for VM0051, v1.0 (PDF)
Announcement(s): RFP Announcement: VVB Assessment of New VCS Rice Methodology, Consultation Announcement: New VCS Rice Methodology
Resource(s): VM0051, v1.0 Webinar

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