The VCS Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ (JNR) framework comprises the world’s first accounting and verification requirements for jurisdictional REDD+ programs and nested projects. It serves as a comprehensive carbon accounting and crediting platform to guide development of governmental REDD+ programs and help nest REDD+ projects and subnational jurisdictions within these programs.

Programs and nested projects verified under VCS JNR may issue VCUs to finance their efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and enhance sustainable use of the world’s forests. The JNR framework is rigorous enough to meet the needs of market-based mechanisms around the world, such as the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It is also aligned with the Paris Agreement.

Rules and Requirements

Components and rules of the VCS Program, including those elements noted below, provide the basis for the JNR framework.

  • VCS projects that are nested in JNR programs follow VCS Program methodologies.
  • JNR programs and nested programs must be independently assessed by a third-party validation/verification body (VVB).
  • Registration of JNR programs and nested REDD+ projects in the Verra Registry  facilitates the transparent listing of information about such programs and projects. It also ensures their uniqueness as well as that of VCUs in the system
  • Verra provides a Complaints and Appeals Policy that applies to all standards and programs managed by Verra.

JNR rules define the specific requirements and processes which all jurisdictional forest reference emission levels (FRELs) and jurisdictional programs must follow to be certified. JNR rules are set out in a suite of documents in the following categories: Requirements, Procedural, and Templates and Forms.

These documents are updated periodically. Please check this page to ensure you are using the latest version of a given document.

Requirements documents set out the core principles and requirements for developing jurisdictional FRELs, jurisdictional programs and nested projects, and generating GHG credits that are real, additional, permanent, independently verified and transparently registered. All jurisdictional elements are assessed against these requirements to determine whether they are eligible to register with the VCS Program.

Procedural documents describe the steps required to perform different functions of the JNR Program, including the process for validating and verifying jurisdictional elements and how to apply for jurisdictional element registration. These documents guide users of the JNR Program through these different processes.

VT0007 Unplanned Deforestation Allocation (UDef-A) allows allocating portions of the jurisdictional Forest Reference Emission Level (FREL) to nested projects and lower-level jurisdictional programs according to deforestation and forest degradation risk.

Templates and forms are provided to ensure that users of the JNR Program have a consistent structure to work from when completing certain documents. These templates are required for the completion of jurisdictional FREL and jurisdictional program descriptions, validation reports, monitoring reports, verification reports and other required documentation.

Additional Resources:

Finally, note that the JNR Program rules have progressed through a number of iterations over time. Previous versions of the JNR Program rules which are no longer in use are archived on the Verra website.

Governance and Development

JNR Version 4 was released on 15 April 2021 after extensive consultations with experts around the world and close engagement with members of the JNR Advisory Group and JNR Stakeholder Group.

National approaches to implementing REDD+ are evolving rapidly around the world. Many governments are designing policies and regulations to integrate projects into their national REDD+ strategies, carbon pricing mechanisms, and carbon accounting. These policies and regulations may include specific procedures related to when and how projects should nest into national or subnational programs or forest reference emission levels (FRELs).

When such policies and regulations are implemented or changed, Verra will require projects to follow them.

Disclaimer on Jurisdictional Nesting Regulations and Policies