Revision of Verra’s Avoiding Unplanned Deforestation and Degradation Project Methodologies: Update

**Please note that this information is out of date; see the Update on Proposed Revisions to VCS AUDD Methodologies, published on 14 February 2023, for more information.**

Revised Versions of Current AUDD Methodologies

Verra will release revised versions of the current VCS AUDD methodologies (VM0006, VM0007, VM0009, VM00015, and VM0037) prior to requiring projects to transition to the allocation approach. The methodologies will be updated to ensure the integrity of the associated VCUs issued. Updates may include:

• Revisions to the selection procedures for reference regions;
• Standardization of approaches for projecting the future location of deforestation for large, ecologically intact, and relatively undisturbed natural forests (frontier deforestation);
• Restriction of accounting for frontier deforestation to methodologies that include projection of future deforestation location
• Standardization of projecting deforestation rates using the historical average, except in cases with a clear downward trend, when a linear regression must be used; and
• Revisions to capturing remote sensing and field-data uncertainties and ensuring conservativeness in net emission reductions calculations.

Verra will open the proposed updates for public consultation in October 2022. After the consultation has ended, we will revise each individual methodology. Prior to their publication, the revised methodologies will be assessed by a validation/verification body (VVB) to ensure consistency with the VCS Program rules and requirements.

Consolidated REDD Methodology

Concurrent to the above revisions of existing VCS AUDD methodologies, Verra will develop a new consolidated REDD methodology to ensure projects align with jurisdictional-level carbon accounting. By April 2023, this novel methodology will include the following components:

• A framework methodology to guide REDD project proponents in the allocation approach and define other core components for any REDD activity, and
• Procedures for activity data generation, baseline development, monitoring, and assessing leakage for Avoiding Unplanned Deforestation activities. These procedures will be adapted from the AUD modules that underwent public consultation in April and May 2022.

The consolidated REDD methodology will undergo assessment by a VVB to ensure consistency with the VCS Program rules and requirements. By 2025, Verra plans to build this methodology out by incorporating modules for additional REDD activities, including avoiding planned deforestation and avoiding unplanned degradation. Each new module added to the methodology after its initial assessment will undergo public consultation and VVB assessment.

**Please note that this information is out of date; see the Update on Proposed Revisions to VCS AUDD Methodologies, published on 14 February 2023, for more information.**