Verra is planning to integrate standardized procedures around project area stratification, the collection of soil samples, sample processing in the laboratory, and the analysis of soil organic carbon (SOC) into a revision of VM0042 Methodology for Improved Agricultural Land Management, v2.0.
In 2022, Verra initiated the development of a standalone Tool for Soil Sampling, Processing, and Analyzing Soil Organic Carbon Stock Changes in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program to establish such standardized procedures. The tool was intended for use with all relevant VCS Agricultural Land Management methodologies that quantify SOC stock changes through direct measurement.
Due to a significant increase of projects using VM0042, Verra determined that the integration of the above-mentioned standardized procedures into this methodology was a preferred approach. Verra therefore put the development of this tool on hold, as per Section 2.1.5 of the VCS Methodology Development and Review Process, v4.3 (PDF).
Verra will soon host a stakeholder webinar to invite feedback on the envisioned revision of VM0042 that aims to improve the standardization of soil sampling and analysis for quantifying SOC stock changes.