Verra is extending the grace period for Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) projects that are currently under validation in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program using either of the following Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) methodologies:
- AR-ACM0003: Afforestation and reforestation of lands except wetlands, v2.0 (external site)
- AR-AMS0007: Afforestation and reforestation project activities implemented on lands other than wetlands, v3.1 (external site)
Verra previously announced that all projects using AR-ACM0003 or AR-AMS0007 must complete validation by December 28, 2024, because VCS Methodology VM0047 Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation will replace these two CDM methodologies. In accordance with section 3.21.3.4 of the VCS Standard, v4.7 (PDF), Verra has revised the grace period as follows:
- Projects using the above-mentioned CDM methodologies with a status of under validation must complete validation no later than June 30, 2025.
- All new ARR projects and those in the pipeline that did not reach the status pipeline listing requested (under validation) (or beyond) by December 28, 2023, must use VM0047.
VM0047, which was released in October 2023, enables the generation of high-quality nature-based removal credits from activities that increase the density of trees or other types of woody vegetation.
If you have any questions, please contact forestcarbon@verra.org.