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VM0045 Methodology for Improved Forest Management Using Dynamic Matched Baselines from National Forest Inventories, v1.2

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Status

Active 10 July 2025

Mitigation
Outcome Label
Eligibility

Reductions and Removals

Sectoral Scope

14. Agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU)

This methodology applies to a wide range of improved forest management (IFM) practices and uses dynamic performance benchmark for additionally and the crediting baseline created from national forest inventories.

Eligible projects must adopt one or more specific, non-pre-existing, IFM practices. The focus of accounting is on the estimation of GHG emissions and/or carbon stock change on permanent plots, not on the estimation of stocks per se, therefore improving the precision of reported GHG emission reductions and/or removals. For all activities, the methodology uses a matching approach to construct a quasi-experimental design with matched pairs of treatments (project) and controls (baseline), with baseline plots sourced from existing continuously measured national or sub-national forest inventory data.

The methodology employs a broad monitoring and accounting framework that captures the GHG impacts of IFM practices aimed at avoiding emissions (from harvest or natural disturbance) or enhancing sequestration. Projects may apply a combination of practices implemented together in the same area.

Please Note

  • VM0045, v1.2 is active as of July 10, 2025.
  • Projects seeking to complete registration under VM0045, v1.1 must complete validation and submit a registration request by April 30, 2026.
  • On December 13, 2024, Verra released Corrections and Clarifications to VM0045 v1.1 (PDF). All projects using VM0045, v1.1 must apply these corrections and clarifications. The VM0045, v1.1 – C&C greenlined document shows where the corrections and clarifications apply throughout VM0045, v1.1.
  • Projects seeking to complete registration under VM0045, v1.0 must have requested listing on the Verra Registry before March 12, 2024, and completed validation by March 12, 2025.
VM0045 IFM Using Dynamic Matched Baselines v1.2 (PDF)Button Icon

Proposed Revisions:

Major Revisions to VM0045 Methodology for Improved Forest Management Using Dynamic Matched Baselines from National Forest Inventories, v1.0

Development History

VM0045 Improved Forest Management Using Dynamic Matched Baselines from National Forest Inventories, v1.2

Status: Active since July 10, 2025
Mitigation Outcome Label Eligibility: Reductions and Removals
Summary of Changes:

  • Alignment with the requirements of the Core Carbon Principles (CCP) Assessment Framework of the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM)
  • Clarification of the FIA data collection process (Appendix 1, Section A1.3)
  • Clarification of the significance of carbon pools (Tables 1 and 2) and inclusion of Appendix 2 to test significance
  • Updates to Section 9.3 (Description of the Monitoring Plan) to require projects to provide confirmation of mitigation activities
  • Correction to Equation A2 to calculate the standardized difference of means during the match quality assessment
  • Clarifications to Table A.1 regarding required covariates for Obtaining Matches of Composite Baselines from USFS FIA plot, including elevation as “optional”
  • General edits for clarity

Tracked Changes Document: VM0045 Improved Forest Management Using Dynamic Matched Baselines from National Forest Inventories, v1.2 – Tracked Changes (PDF)
Developer(s): Verra. Per section 2.1.2 of the MDRP, Verra applied an alternative process and authored this revision.
Dates of Public Consultation: N/A – minor revision
Draft Shared During Public Consultation: N/A – minor revision
Summary of Public Consultation: N/A – minor revision
VVB Assessment Report(s): N/A – minor revision
Announcement(s): Verra Publishes Minor Revisions to Improved Forest Management Methodology (VM0045)

VM0045 Methodology for Improved Forest Management Using Dynamic Matched Baselines from National Forest Inventories, v1.1 (PDF)

Status: Active from March 12, 2024 to July 9, 2025

Grace Period:

  • Projects seeking to complete registration under VM0045, v1.1 must complete validation and submit a registration request by April 30, 2026.

Mitigation Outcome Label Eligibility: Reduction and Removal
Summary of Changes:

  • Version 1.1 enables project proponents to differentiate between Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) based on whether they are GHG emission reductions or carbon dioxide removals.

Developer: Verra with support from the American Forest Foundation (external)
Dates of Public Consultation: December 15, 2023, to January 15, 2024
Draft Shared During Public Consultation: VM0045, v1.1 Draft Methodology (PDF)
Summary of Public Consultation: Summary of Public Consultation for VM0045, v1.1 (PDF)
VVB Assessment Report(s): N/A – minor revision
Corrections and Clarifications:  Corrections and Clarifications to VM0045 v1.1 (issued December 13, 2024) (PDF). VM0045, v1.1 – C&C greelined (PDF)
Announcements:  Verra Releases Revised Improved Forest Management Methodology, Public Consultation: Minor Revisions to Improved Forest Management Methodology to Enable Distinction between Emission Reductions and Removals

VM0045 Methodology for Improved Forest Management Using Dynamic Matched Baselines from National Forest Inventories, v1.0  (PDF)

Status: Active since October 25, 2022 to March 12, 2024
Grace Period: Projects seeking to complete registration under VM0045, v1.0 must have requested listing on the Verra Registry before March 12, 2024, and completed validation by March 12, 2025.
Mitigation Outcome Label Eligibility: Not eligible
Developer: Family Forest Carbon Program (external)
Dates of Public Consultation: August 17, 2020 to September 16, 2020
Draft Shared During Public Consultation: N/A
Summary of Public Consultation: Summary of Public Comments for VM0045, v1.0 (PDF)
VVB Assessment Report: VVB Assessment Report for VM0045, v1.0 (PDF)