Rules & Requirements
The VCS Program rules are the backbone of the program. They define the standards and processes which all projects must follow in order to be certified. The VCS Program rules are set out in a suite of documents which include four types of program documents: Requirements, Procedural, Templates and Guidance.
Documents are updated periodically. Please check this page to be sure you are using the latest version of a given document.
More information on the VCS Version 4 development process can be found here.
For a catalog of all updates made to VCS Version 4, see the Updates to the VCS Standards Version 4.
Requirements
Requirements documents set out the core principles and requirements for developing projects and generating GHG credits that are real, additional, permanent, independently verified and transparently registered. All VCS projects are assessed against these requirements to determine whether they are eligible to register with the VCS Program.
| VCS Program Guide, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 The VCS Program Guide is the overarching VCS Program document. It sets out all rules and requirements governing the VCS Program, including the project registration process, the methodology approval process, the accreditation requirements for validation/verification bodies, and the functioning of the Verra registry. |
| VCS Standard, v4.1 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 April 2021 The VCS Standard sets out all specific requirements for developing projects and for the validation, monitoring and verification of projects and GHG emission reductions and removals. |
| Errata & Clarifications, VCS Standard, v4.0 | Issued: 5 February 2021 Errata and clarifications applicable to the program documents. |
| VCS Methodology Requirements, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 The VCS Methodology Requirements set out all specific requirements for developing methodologies under the VCS Program, including specific requirements for AFOLU and ODS methodologies. |
| Program Definitions, v4.1 | Issued: 15 April 2021 The Program Definitions are a reference document that defines all terms used in VCS Program documents. |
| Program Fee Schedule, v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 The Program Fee Schedule sets out the fees applicable under the VCS Program |
| Complaints and Appeals Policy, v1.0 | Issued: 22 January 2019 Verra’s complaints and appeals policy. |
Procedural
Procedural documents describe the steps required to perform different functions of the VCS Program, including how to apply for project registration and how to submit new methodologies for VCS approval. These documents guide users of the VCS Program through these different processes.
| Registration & Issuance Process, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 The Registration & Issuance Process documents sets out the procedures and rules for registering projects and issuing Verified Carbon Units (VCUs). |
| Methodology Approval Process, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 The Methodology Approval Process document sets out procedures and rules for the approval of methodology elements under the VCS Program. |
| AFOLU Non-Permanence Risk Tool, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 The AFOLU Non-Permanence Risk Tool sets out the procedure for conducting non-permanence risk analysis and buffer determination for AFOLU projects. |
Templates & Forms
Templates and forms are provided to ensure that users of the VCS Program have a consistent structure to work from when completing certain documents. These templates are required for the completion of project descriptions, monitoring reports, verification reports and other required documentation.
VCS Project
| Project Description, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Project description template. |
| Monitoring Report, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Monitoring report template. |
| Joint Project Description & Monitoring Report, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Joint project description and monitoring report template. |
| Registration Representation (single PP), v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of the project. |
| Registration Representation (multiple PPs), v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals. |
| Issuance Representation (single PP), v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals. |
| Issuance Representation (multiple PPs), v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals from projects with multiple project proponents. |
| Listing Representation (single PP), v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of the pipeline project. |
| Listing Representation (multiple PPs), v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of the pipeline project with multiple project proponents. |
| Sustainable Development Contributions Report Template | Issued: 14 July 2020 Sustainable Development Contributions Report Template. |
| Validation Report, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Validation report template. |
| Verification Report, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Verification report template. |
| Joint Validation & Verification Report, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Joint validation and verification report template. |
| Validation Representation, v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of validation. |
| Verification Representation, v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of verification. |
| Non-Permanence Risk Report, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Risk report template (long form) for describing and analyzing the non-permanence risk for AFOLU projects. |
| Non-Permanence Risk Report (Short Form), v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Risk report template for describing and analyzing the non-permanence risk for AFOLU projects, for use with Risk Report Calculation Tool. |
| Risk Report Calculation Tool, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Risk report calculation tool for calculating and documenting the non-permanence risk for AFOLU projects, for use as annex to Non-Permanence Risk Report (long or short form). |
| Loss Event Report, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Loss event report template for estimating an unplanned loss of carbon stock for AFOLU projects. |
| Loss Event Representation, v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of the loss event report, for project proponents. |
| Accession Representation, v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of project proponents joining a project. |
| Partial Release Representation, v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of project proponents leaving a project. |
| VCU Conversion Representation, v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of conversion of GHG credits into VCUs. |
VCS & CCB Project
| CCB & VCS Project Description, CCB v3.0, VCS v3.3 | Issued: 21 June 2017 Project description template for projects using Version 3 of both the CCB and VCS Programs. |
| CCB & VCS Monitoring Report, CCB v3.0, VCS v3.4 | Issued: 21 June 2017 Monitoring report template for projects using Version 3 of both the CCB and VCS Programs |
| CCB & VCS Validation Report, CCB v3.0, VCS v3.4 | Issued: 21 June 2017 Validation report template for projects using Version 3 of both the CCB and VCS Programs. |
| CCB & VCS Verification Report, CCB v3.0, VCS v3.4 | Issued: 21 June 2017 Verification report template for project using Version 3 of both the CCB and VCS Programs. |
| CCB & VCS Monitoring Report, CCB v2.0, VCS v3.4 | Issued: 21 June 2017 Monitoring report template for projects validated to the second edition of the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards and using and VCS Program. |
| CCB & VCS Verification Report, CCB v2.0, VCS v3.4 | Issued: 21 June 2017 Monitoring report template for projects validated to the second edition of the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards and using and VCS Program. |
| CCB & VCS Monitoring Report, CCB v1.0, VCS v3.4 | Issued: 21 June 2017 Monitoring report template for projects validated to the first edition of the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards and using and VCS Program. |
| CCB & VCS Verification Report, CCB v1.0, VCS v3.4 | Issued: 21 June 2017 Monitoring report template for projects validated to the first edition of the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards and using and VCS Program. |
VCS & SOCIALCARBON Project
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Project Description Template, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Project description template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard |
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Monitoring Report Template, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Monitoring report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard |
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Validation Report Template, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Validation Report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard |
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Verification Report Template, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Verification report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard |
VCS & W+
| VCS & W+ Project Description, v4.0 | Issued: 3 December 2019 Project description template for projects using the VCS Program and the W+ Standard. |
| VCS & W+ Monitoring Report, v4.0 | Issued: 3 December 2019 Monitoring report template for projects using the VCS Program and the W+ Standard. |
| VCS & W+ Verification Report, v4.0 | Issued: 26 August 2020 Verification report template for projects using the VCS Program and the W+ Standard. |
Methodology
| Methodology Concept Note, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Methodology concept note template. |
| Minor Methodology Revision Description, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Minor methodology revision description template. |
| Methodology, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Methodology template. |
| Module, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Module template (for tools and modules). |
| Methodology Approval Process Submission Form, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Form for submitting a methodology element to Verra. |
| Methodology Element Approval Request Form, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Form for requesting final approval of a methodology element from Verra. |
| Methodology Assessment Report Template, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Report template for validation/verification bodies conducting a first or second methodology assessment. |
| Methodology Expert Application Form, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Form for submitting an application to become a methodology assessment expert. |
VVB
| VVB Application Form, v1.1 | Issued: 18 December 2020 Validation/verification body application form. |
| Verra VVB Agreement Template, v1.1 | Issued: 9 February 2021 VVB agreement template. |
Guidance
Guidance documents are periodically published to illustrate different aspects of the VCS rules using examples and other guidance.
Project Guidance
| Nesting Guidance for REDD+ Projects | Updated 10 December 2019 This document provides high-level guidance for VCS REDD+ projects on nesting into existing and emerging national (or subnational) REDD+ programs. |
| Guía de Anidación para Proyectos Redd+ Certificados | Actualizado 10 de diciembre de 2019 Este documento proporciona una guía de alto nivel para los proyectos REDD+ de VCS sobre la integración en programas nacionales (o subnacionales) de REDD+ existentes y emergentes. |
| Guidance for Loss Events | Provides examples for determining the proper number of credits to be placed on hold or cancelled due to a loss event in a Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) project. |
| Guidance for ARR Applying CDM Methodologies | Clarifies how Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR) projects must follow VCS AFOLU Requirements and a CDM Afforestation/Reforestation (A/R) methodology. |
| Guidance for ARR Calculating Long-Term Average Carbon Stock | Provides scenarios for calculating the average carbon stock over various harvesting cycles for Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR) and Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects. |
| Guidance on Double Counting | Provides guidance on various forms of double counting and how these should be addressed. |
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Project Development Process | Guides project developers pursuing project certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard. |
| VCS & W+ Project Development Process | Guides project developers pursuing project certification under VCS and the W+ Standard. |
Methodology Guidance
| Guidance for Standardized Methods | Assists methodology developers to apply standardized methods requirements set out in the VCS Standard and Methodology Approval Process. |
VVB Guidance
| Validation and Verification Manual, v3.2 | Supports validation/verification bodies (VVBs) and other VCS stakeholders to consistently and accurately interpret VCS Program requirements and procedures. |
Other Guidance
| Guidance on Converting CERs to VCUs | Provides guidance on the procedure for cancelling Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) issued by the UNFCCC’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and converting them to VCUs. |
Finally, note that the VCS Program rules have progressed through a number of iterations over time. Previous versions of the VCS Program rules which are no longer in use are archived on the Verra website.
Other Programs
California Offset Project Registry
The Offset Project Registry (OPR) facilitates the participation of offset projects within the California cap-and-trade program
Learn More >
Photo: Darren CentofantiClimate, Community & Biodiversity Standards
Supporting land use projects in addressing climate change, supporting local communities and smallholders and conserving biodiversity
Learn More >
Plastic Waste Reduction Standard
Plastic Waste Reduction Program The Plastic Waste Reduction Program (Plastic Program) enables robust impact assessment…
Learn More >