Verra recently selected an expert consulting team to develop a tool for soil sampling, processing, and analysis to determine soil organic carbon (SOC) stock changes. The tool will be adopted in all relevant VCS methodologies, such as the Methodology for Improved Agricultural Land Management, that quantify SOC stock changes through direct measurements.
As demand for carbon credits from agricultural land management (ALM) projects increases, this tool will enable the standardization of procedures for land stratification, physical soil sampling, and laboratory analyses to ensure consistency in determining SOC stock changes across carbon projects.
AgriCircle, South Pole, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture – FiBL, French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), University of Aberdeen, and SGS will jointly contribute to the tool development process. These organizations bring diverse expertise in soil and crop research, carbon project development, and laboratory analytics.
The development phases of the tool include in-depth reviews of existing guidance in the VCS Program and other greenhouse gas crediting programs, as well as academic literature, and government sources. Verra will also invite expert review of the tool, hold public consultations, and facilitate a VVB assessment for conformity with VCS rules and requirements. Completion of the tool is expected by the end of 2023.
For further questions, please contact Chris Ajemian, Program Officer, Agriculture Innovation (cajemian@verra.org).