Verra Inactivates and Updates Existing REDD Methodologies

• VM0009 Methodology for Avoided Ecosystem Conversion is being inactivated effective immediately, including to prevent issues in transitioning projects to the new methodology.

Proponents of projects verified to VM0009 will still use it for true-up purposes, as required, to complete verification. Verra will update this methodology to correct an error related to the true-up procedure and inform project proponents when that update is published.

• VM0037 Methodology for Implementation of REDD+ Activities in Landscapes Affected by Mosaic Deforestation and Degradation, v1.0 is being inactivated effective immediately, including due to low use (no credits have been issued) and to drive further consolidation.

Effective Dates 

• VM0009 and VM0037 projects that are listed (or requested pipeline listing) “under development” must request pipeline listing “under validation” within three months of the announcement, i.e., before February 27, 2024.
• Project proponents that have initiated or will initiate a public comment period before February 27, 2024 have until November 27, 2024, to complete validation with VM0009 or VM0037. If they complete validation by then, projects may be able to use these methodologies until they have to transition to VM0048 or until their next baseline reassessment or crediting period renewal, whichever is the earliest.
• Projects validated under VM0009 or VM0037 may be able to use these methodologies until they have to transition to VM0048 or until their next baseline reassessment or crediting period renewal, whichever is the earliest.

For more information about transitioning to VM0048, see the “Transition Process by Project Status” webpage.

Projects not yet on the Verra pipeline are encouraged to wait until activity data is available for use in their jurisdiction and then use VM0048. Verra is currently developing activity data and will be ready to allocate it very soon for almost all of the jurisdictions where projects using VM0009 and VM0037 are located. We will provide specific guidance to those projects as they transition.

Such projects may also apply the most recent versions of VM0006 Methodology for Carbon Accounting for Mosaic and Landscape-scale REDD Projects, VM0007 REDD+ Methodology Framework, or VM0015 Methodology for Avoided Unplanned Deforestation. Such methodology transitions would be accomplished using the project description deviation process outlined in Section 3.20 of the VCS Standard, v4.5 (PDF).

Verra has made minor updates to VM0007 REDD+ Methodology Framework to prepare proponents using these methodologies for transitioning their projects to VM0048. The updates also correct errors, inaccuracies, and internal inconsistencies and clarify criteria and procedures.

Effective Dates

• New projects and projects that have not initiated the public comment period (i.e., that have not requested pipeline listing “under validation”) before November 27, 2023, have until February 27, 2024, to do so using VM0007, v1.6.
• Project proponents that have initiated or will initiate a public comment period before February 27, 2024, have until February 27, 2025, to complete validation with VM0007, v1.6. If they complete validation by then, projects may be able to use these methodologies until they have to transition to VM0048, or until their next baseline reassessment or crediting period renewal, whichever is the earliest.
• Projects validated with previous versions of the methodology may be able to use these methodologies until they have to transition to the VM0048 or until their next baseline reassessment or crediting period renewal, whichever is the earliest.
• All other projects must use the updated versions of the methodologies until they have to transition to VM0048.

Updates to VM0007

Changes to VM0007:

• Excluded forest degradation and carbon stock enhancement in secondary forests that would have converted under the baseline as an eligible activity
• Replaced the CDM Additionality Tool with VT0001
• Included a significance test for projects that do not meet the CDM tool applicability conditions
• Updated references for the duration of baseline validity and historical reference periods to be in accordance with VCS Standard, v4.5 (PDF) and VCS Methodology Requirements (PDF), respectively
• Adjusted the estimation of uncertainty to match that that required in the VCS Methodology Requirements, v4.4 (PDF)
• Updated document references and made minor editorial corrections

Verra updated modules originally designed to be used with VM0007 (VMD0001, VMD0002, VMD0003, VMD0004, VMD0005, VMD0006, VMD0011, VMD0013, VMD0014, VMD0015, and VMD0016) to enable their use with VM0048. In addition, accounting for avoided forest degradation and carbon stock enhancements was removed from these modules. VMD0008, which deals exclusively with avoided degradation, has been inactivated.

Verra is currently updating VM006 Methodology for Carbon Accounting for Mosaic and Landscape-scale REDD Projects, VM0015 Methodology for Avoided Unplanned Deforestation, VMD0007 Estimation of baseline carbon stock changes and greenhouse gas emissions from unplanned deforestation and unplanned wetland degradation (BL-UP), and VMD0051 Methods for Monitoring of Carbon Stock Changes and Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals in Tidal Wetland Restoration and Conservation Project Activities (M-TW). These updates are expected for Q1 2024; project proponents may be able to use the current versions of these methodology elements until the new versions become available.