The comments received during this public consultation and Verra’s responses were published on March 21, 2024.
Verra recently concluded its public consultation on the use of non-native monocultures in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program, which ran from October 24 through November 26, 2023.
Through this consultation, Verra invited feedback on how VCS projects implementing afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation (ARR) and wetland restoration and conservation (WRC) activities may achieve credible emission reductions and removals without negatively impacting ecosystem health. Specifically, Verra invited stakeholder input on proposed updates to the VCS Standard clarifying the restrictions on non-native monocultures.
Verra would like to thank all stakeholders who provided feedback. Verra received over 600 comments, submitted by 90 respondents from 23 countries, that represent a breadth of perspectives on this topic. Verra has completed a preliminary analysis of the comments and has drawn useful insights from all viewpoints. We will take this feedback into consideration as we thoroughly analyze and research the proposed options to develop a high-integrity path forward.
Verra plans to publish the comments received, Verra’s responses, and the associated VCS Program update on this issue in early 2024.
Please see the consultation document (PDF) for more information about these proposed updates to the VCS Program. For any questions about this consultation, please contact programupdates@verra.org.