Verra is launching a consultation for updates to all VCS Avoiding Unplanned Deforestation and/or Degradation (AUDD) methodologies (VM0006, VM0007, VM0009, VM0015, VM0037). The consultation runs from 5 October to 6 November.

The purpose of the proposed revisions is to ensure consistency of these methodologies as Verra transitions to a new consolidated REDD methodology.

Updates Open for Consultation

The following is a list of updates that are open for consultation and that would be included in all AUDD methodologies:

  1. Revisions to the procedures and criteria for delimiting reference regions;
  2. Standardization of the approach for projecting the location of future deforestation;
  3. Standardization of the approach for projecting deforestation rates using the historical average, unless a significant increasing or decreasing trend in the deforestation rate can be demonstrated; and
  4. Revisions to capturing remote sensing and field data uncertainties and ensuring conservative calculations of net emission reductions.

These proposed revisions were developed by Tim Pearson (GreenCollar), Till Neeff (independent consultant), and Simon König (Climate Focus), with Verra’s guidance.

Webinar

Verra hosted a webinar on 13 October at 11:00 am ET to provide an overview of the proposed revisions to AUDD methodologies. Watch the Recording.

Next Steps

Verra will use input received during this consultation to revise the above aspects and integrate them in all VCS AUDD methodologies. Next, a validation/verification body will assess each methodology for internal coherence. Verra intends to publish the revised methodologies in the spring of 2023 (see the announcement of the transition to the consolidated REDD methodology for more details).

Please contact methodologies@verra.org if you have any questions.