Inactive since 30 May 2024
Outcome Label
Eligibility
Reductions and Removals
14. Agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU)
As part of an effort to consolidate the sustainable grassland methodologies within the VCS Program, Verra has inactivated VM0026 Methodology for Sustainable Grassland Management (SGM), v1.1. Projects are encouraged to transition to VM0032 Methodology for the Adoption of Sustainable Grasslands through Adjustment of Fire and Grazing, v1.0. VM0032 provides more elaborate guidance on how to calibrate and validate the relevant biogeochemical models and is more broadly applicable.
Verra is currently reviewing a proposed revision to VM0032, which was submitted by Soils for the Future (external), per Step 3 of the procedure for the revision of methodologies in the VCS Methodology Development and Review Process, v4.4 (PDF). Key focus areas of the revision are the inclusion of a dynamic baseline approach, as well as the expansion of guidance on the use of biogeochemical models for SOC stock quantification.
VM0026 provides procedures to estimate the GHG emission reductions and/or removals from the adoption of sustainable grassland management (SGM) practices on grasslands in semi-arid regions. Eligible project activities include a broad range of SGM activities such as improving the rotation of grazing animals, limiting the grazing of animals on degraded pastures and restoration of severely degraded lands. Where biogeochemical models can be demonstrated to be applicable in the project region, they may be used to estimate SOC pool changes. Where such models are not applicable, the methodology uses direct measurement methods to estimate SOC pool changes.
- New projects seeking to complete registration under VM0026, v1.1 must be listed as “under development” or “under validation” on the Verra Registry by August 31, 2024, and complete validation by May 31, 2025.
- Validated projects may continue to apply the version of the methodology under which they were validated until the next baseline reassessment or crediting period renewal, whichever comes first (see Section 3.22 of the VCS Standard, v4.7 [PDF]). After this point, projects must transition to the latest version of VM0032 or VM0042.
Development History
VM0026 Methodology for Sustainable Grassland Management (SGM), v1.1 (PDF)
Status: Active from June 24, 2021 to May 30, 2024
Grace Periods:
- New projects seeking to complete registration under VM0026, v1.1 must be listed as “under development” or “under validation” on the Verra Registry by August 31, 2024, and complete validation by May 31, 2025.
- Validated projects may continue to apply the version of the methodology under which they were validated until the next baseline reassessment or crediting period renewal, whichever comes first (see Section 3.22 of the VCS Standard, v4.7 [PDF]). After this point, projects must transition to the latest version of VM0032 or VM0042.
Mitigation Outcome Label Eligibility: Not Eligible
Summary of Changes: Equation 43 updated to remove the need to divide the increases in soil organic carbon across the period it takes for the soil to reach equilibrium.
Developer: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (opens on external site)
Dates of Public Consultation: N/A – minor revision
Summary of Public Consultation: N/A – minor revision
VVB Assessment Report: N/A – minor revision
VM0026 Methodology for Sustainable Grassland Management (SGM), v1.0 (PDF)
Status: Active from 22 April 2014 to 24 June 2021
Mitigation Outcome Label Eligibility: Not Eligible
Developer: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (opens on external site)
Dates of Public Consultation: 7 September 2011 to 6 October 2011
Summary of Public Consultation: Comment #1 (PDF), Comment #2 (PDF), Comment #3 (PDF), Comment #4 (PDF)
VVB Assessment Report: VM0026, v1.0 First Assessment Report (PDF), VM0026, v1.0 Second Assessment Report (PDF)