Verra has launched a public consultation for a minor revision (methodology development ID #M0298) to Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Module VMD0055 Estimation of Emission Reductions from Avoiding Unplanned Deforestation, v1.0. VMD0055 describes the procedures and methods for accounting for the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions from projects that aim to avoid unplanned deforestation. It must be used along with VCS Methodology VM0048 Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, v1.0.
The proposed updates to VMD0055 will help support the methodology’s high integrity, its applicability to a wider range of projects, and its alignment with the Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) established by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM). The updates include the following:
- Adding forest management activities (e.g., harvesting trees to generate income, fiber, or fuel) in the project scenario
- Ensuring the full alignment of VMD0055 with VT0007 Unplanned Deforestation Allocation (UDef-A), v1.0, and its process for data allocation to projects
- Clarifying the distinction between mandatory and optional carbon sources and pools
- Clarifying spatial resolution and mapping requirements, mapping terminology, and the scope of the jurisdictional sampling frame
- Clarifying the duration for which a project can use allocated activity data
To provide feedback on the proposed revisions, please complete the M0298 VMD0055 Comment Template (xlsx) and send it to methodologies@verra.org by September 9, 2024.
Webinar
Verra hosted a webinar on Friday, August 23, at 11:00 am ET, to provide an overview of the methodology and the proposed changes.