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Overview VM0042 Improved Agricultural Land Management, v2.2
This methodology quantifies the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and soil organic carbon (SOC) removals resulting from the adoption of improved agricultural land management (ALM) practices. Such practices include, but are not limited to, reduced tillage and improvements in fertilizer application, biomass residue and water management, cash and cover crop planting and harvesting practices, and grazing practices.
Please Note:
- VM0042, v2.1 remains active. Both VM0042, v2.2 and VM0042, v2.1 are active methodologies available for use.
- On June 11 2026, Verra released Corrections and Clarifications to VM0042, v2.2 (PDF). All projects using VM0042, v2.2 must apply these corrections and clarifications. Tracked Changes highlighting this C&C are available in the following document: VM0042 Improved Agricultural Land Management, v2.2 – with C&C Tracked Changes (PDF)
- VM0042, v2.1 is available in digital format on the Verra Project Hub and can be accessed through the Digital Project Submission Tool. Proponents are encouraged to use the digital versions of methodologies as they become available. Please email hubsupport@verra.org for support or to request access to the Verra Project Hub.
- On October 10 2025, Verra released Corrections and Clarifications to VM0042, v2.1 (PDF). All projects using VM0042, v2.1 must apply these corrections and clarifications.
- Projects seeking to complete registration under VM0042, v2.0 must have requested listing on the Verra Registry before December 11, 2024, and complete validation by March 11, 2026.
- On January 23, 2026, Verra released a Clarification to VM0042, v1.0 (PDF). All projects previously registered under VM0042, v1.0 must apply this clarification.
Methodology Resources
Project developers around the world are using VM0042 to design and implement agricultural land management projects that generate high-integrity soil carbon credits. VM0042, v2.2 builds on previous versions by strengthening quantification approaches, improving clarity, and enhancing usability for project developers implementing improved agricultural land management practices. Project proponents should reference the latest version, along with updated tools and guidance, to ensure alignment with current requirements across project design, monitoring, and reporting.
Projects using earlier versions of VM0042 may continue operating under their current approved version, but proponents are encouraged to transition to VM0042, v2.2 to take advantage of the latest methodological improvements, clarifications, and alignment with updated program requirements.
Both VM0042, v2.1 and VM0042, v2.2 remain active and available for use. The appropriate timing for transition will depend on project status, validation timelines, and strategic considerations for ongoing and future monitoring periods.
Projects using VM0042, v2.1 must apply all Corrections and Clarifications released on October 10, 2025, and projects previously registered under VM0042, v1.0 must apply the Clarification issued on January 23, 2026.
VM0042, v2.1 is also available in digital format via the Verra Project Hub, accessible through the Digital Project Submission Tool. Proponents are encouraged to use digital methodologies as they become available.
ICVCM Core Carbon Principles (CCP) label eligible
VM0042, v2.2 has been approved by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) as meeting the requirements of the Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) Assessment Framework.
Note: To receive CCP labels for the credits they generate, projects using VM0042 must meet certain conditions. A guidance document outlining Verra’s process for CCP labeling, the ICVCM CCP Label Guidance (PDF), is available on the VCS Rules and Requirements page.
Where the ICVCM has determined that additional CCP label criteria have to be met for a project using a CCP-approved methodology to receive CCP labels, these criteria are checked at the verification review by a validation/verification body (VVB) and Verra. Where VCUs have been issued from projects using multiple methodologies, only VCUs from projects solely using CCP-approved methodologies are eligible for CCP labels.
Per the ICVCM decision, projects using VM0042, v2.2, also have to comply with the following additional criteria to be issued CCP-labeled VCUs:
- Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) content must be measured using one of the following techniques:
- Dry combustion (Dumas method);
- Infrared spectroscopy, including near infrared (NIR), visible near infrared (Vis-NIR), and mid-infrared (MIR), in accordance with guidance provided by Appendix 4 of the methodology;
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), in accordance with guidance provided by Appendix 4 of the methodology; - Inelastic neutron scattering (INS), also known as neutron-stimulated gamma ray analysis or spectroscopy, in accordance with guidance provided by Appendix 4 of the methodology; and
the Walkley-Black (wet oxidation) and loss on ignition (LOI) technique or other similar and equivalent technique are applied as per the requirements in the methodology.
Explore additional technical guidance, tools, templates, and supporting resources designed to help project developers strengthen quantification approaches, improve modeling accuracy, and support effective implementation of VM0042 projects.
The following revisions to this methodology are currently under development or open for public consultation.
Major revision to VM0042 Methodology for Improved Agricultural Land Management
VM0042 Improved Agricultural Land Management, v2.2
Status: Active since October 21, 2025
Mitigation Outcome Label Eligibility: Reductions and Removals
Summary of Changes :
- Added justification for determining the baseline scenario as a continuation of pre-project practices
- Modifications to the procedures to demonstrate additionality in alignment with VT0008
- Clarifications on how to select the most conservative and disaggregated emission factors
- Replacement of section 8.4.3 on leakage from productivity declines with procedures from VMD0054
- Recommendations for baseline reassessment every five years, wherever data becomes available or regional practices change
- Incorporation of Corrections and Clarifications regarding the allowed use of VT0014
Tracked Changes Document: VM0042 Improved Agricultural Land Management, v2.2 – Greenlined (PDF)
Developer: Verra
Dates of Public Consultation: N/A
VVB Assessment Report(s): N/A
Correction and/or Clarification: Corrections and Clarifications to VM0042, v2.2 (PDF), VM0042 Improved Agricultural Land Management, v2.2 – with C&C Tracked Changes (PDF)
Announcement(s): Reminder: Depth Requirements for Using Soil Carbon Data in VM0042 Projects, Corrections and Clarifications to IALM Methodology (VM0042)
VM0042 Improved Agricultural Land Management, v2.1 (PDF)
Status: Active since September 11, 2024
Mitigation Outcome Label Eligibility: Reductions and Removals
Summary of Changes:
- Separation of GHG emission reductions and carbon dioxide removals under Section 8
- Title updated to VM0042 Improved Agricultural Land Management
- Incorporation of the Corrections and Clarifications published on 25 January 2024
Developer: Verra
Dates of Public Consultation: April 5, 2024 to May 6, 2024.
Draft Shared During Public Consultation: VM0042, v2.1 Draft Methodology (PDF)
Summary of Public Consultation: Summary of Public Comments for VM0042, v2.1 (PDF)
VVB Assessment Report(s): N/A – minor revision
Correction and/or Clarification: Corrections and Clarifications to VM0042, v2.1 (PDF)
Announcement(s): Consultation: Proposed Minor Revision to IALM Methodology, Verra Releases Revised IALM Methodology (VM0042), Corrections and Clarifications: VM0032, VM0042, VT0014
VM0042 Methodology for Improved Agricultural Land Management, v2.0 (PDF)
Status: Active since May 30, 2023 to September 11, 2024
Grace Period:
- Projects seeking to complete registration under VM0042, v2.0 must have requested listing on the Verra Registry before December 11, 2024, and complete validation by March 11, 2026.
Mitigation Outcome Label Eligibility: Not Eligible
Summary of Changes:
- Introduction of a baseline control sites option to allow for direct SOC measurement under Quantification Approach 2.
- Update of Section 8.6 on uncertainty assessment to clarify statistical procedures and align with the VCS Methodology Requirements.
- Introduction of guidance on the use of proximal sensing technologies to estimate SOC content in Appendix 4.
- Introduction of an applicability condition allowing for one-time land conversion from grassland to cropland or vice versa to restore degraded lands in Section 4 and Appendix 2.
- Introduction of a requirement and procedures to account for emissions associated with use of agricultural limestone in Section 8.2.4.
- Introduction of a requirement to account for leakage from diversion of biomass residues used for energy applications in the baseline scenario in Section 8.4.4.
General improvements, errata and clarifications.
Developer(s): The revisions were coordinated by Verra in-house experts with technical input from TerraCarbon LLC (external) and Viresco Solutions (external) (on uncertainty assessment) as well as a range of expert stakeholders.
Dates of Public Consultation: December 23, 2021 to February 5, 2022
Summary of Public Consultation: Summary of Public Consultation for VM0042, v2.0 (PDF)
VVB Assessment Report(s): VVB Assessment Report for VM0042, v2.0 (PDF)
Corrections and Clarifications: Corrections and Clarifications to VM0042, v2.0 (PDF), Corrections and Clarifications to VM0042, v2.0 – Greenlined (PDF)
VM0042 Methodology for Improved Agricultural Land Management, v1.0 (PDF)
Status: Active from October 19, 2020 to May 29, 2023
Mitigation Outcome Label Eligibility: Not Eligible
Developer(s): Indigo Ag Inc. (external), TerraCarbon LLC (external)
Dates of Public Consultation: June 5, 2020 to July 5, 2020
Summary of Public Consultation: VM0042, v1.0 and VMD0053, v1.0 Summary of Public Consultation (PDF)
VVB Assessment Report(s): VVB Assessment Report for VM0042, v1.0 and VMD0053, v1.0 (PDF)
Clarification(s): Clarifications to VM0042, v1.0 (PDF) (August 12, 2022), Clarification to VM0042, v1.0 (January 23, 2026) (PDF), VM0042, v1.0 inclusive of Clarification issued January 23, 2026 (PDF)
Get In Touch
If you are a current or prospective project developer seeking support to start, advance, or manage a VM0042 project, please contact Verra’s expert team at secretariat@verra.org.
For all other inquiries, including general program support, partnership opportunities, or organizational engagement, please visit our Contact Us page to connect with the appropriate Verra team.
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