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Overview 
This module establishes criteria and procedures related to a just transition for stakeholders directly or indirectly impacted by the accelerated retirement of a coal-fired power plant (CFPP). This module must be used by projects applying VM0052 Accelerated Retirement of Coal-fired Power Plants Using a Just Transition.
- VMD0061, v1.0 will be inactivated on 1 December 2027.
- Projects that use VMD0061, v1.0 may submit the following types of requests until 30 November 2027:
- Registration
- Crediting period renewal
- Verification approval where the verification includes a methodology change through a project description deviation
- Requantification
- Projects that meet the submission deadlines above may continue to apply VMD0061, v1.0 for the remainder of their crediting period. These projects must update to an active version of VMD0061 at their next crediting period renewal.
- Registered projects using VMD0061, v1.0 may update to VMD0061, 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 to requantify emission reductions from past verifications
Development History
VMD0061 Just Transition Requirements for Accelerated Retirement of Coal-fired Power Plants, v1.1
Status: Active since October 30, 2026
Summary of Changes: Strengthens stakeholder assessment requirements through voluntary disclosure and impartial, experienced third-party assessment; clarifies that government social security and unemployment benefits are eligible only alongside project-funded provisions, and includes an updated minimum just transition allocation from more than 2% to at least 2% of expected net VCU revenue. Specific changes include the following:
- Section 5.2.2 – The assessment must respect stakeholders’ autonomy and their willingness to share personal information voluntarily. Impartial, experienced third parties must carry it out. The minimum information list now applies unless stakeholders do not consent to provide it. “Gender” was expanded to “Gender, or sex”.
- Section 5.3 – Government social security and unemployment benefits are eligible only when combined with other provisions funded by the project.
- Section 5.5.1 – The just transition allocation must be at least 2% of expected net VCU revenue. It previously had to exceed 2%.
Developer(s): Verra with support from the Coal to Clean Credit Initiative (external) led by The Rockefeller Foundation (external)
Technical Contributor(s): RMI (external)
Dates of Public Consultation: N/A
Draft Shared During Public Consultation: N/A
Summary of Public Consultation: N/A
Independent Expert Reports: N/A – Minor Revision
Announcement(s): Verra Releases Updated Coal Plant Retirement Methodology
VMD0061 Just Transition Requirements for Accelerated Retirement of Coal-fired Power Plants, v1.0 (PDF)
Status: Active May 6, 2025 – November 30, 2027
Inactivation Date: 1 December 2027
Request Deadlines:
The submission deadline for the following project requests is 30 November 2027:
- Registration requests
- Verification approval requests where the verification includes one of the following:
- Baseline reassessment
- A methodology change through a project description deviation
- Crediting period renewal requests
- Requantification requests
Developer(s): Coal to Clean Credit Initiative (external) led by The Rockefeller Foundation (external) and supported by South Pole Carbon Asset Management Ltd. (external)
Dates of Public Consultation:
- 1st Consultation: December 4, 2023 to January 16, 2024
- 2nd Consultation: October 17, 2024 to November 20, 2024
Draft Shared During Public Consultation:
- 1st Consultation Documents: VM0052, v1.0 Draft Methodology 1 (PDF), VMD0060, v1.0 Draft Module 1 (PDF).
- 2nd Consultation Documents: VM0052, v1.0 Draft Methodology 2 (PDF), VMD0060, v1.0 Draft Module 2 (PDF).
Summary of Public Consultation: Coming Soon. See Appendix 1 of the VVB Assessment Report
VVB Assessment Report(s): Included in the scope of: VVB Assessment Report for VM0052, v1.0 (PDF)
Announcement(s): 1st Consultation Announcement, 2nd Consultation Announcement, RFP Announcement, New Verra Methodology Supports Coal Phase-Out and Just Energy Transition
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