Verra invites proposals from validation/verification bodies (VVBs) to review the draft of the Methodology for Improved Management in Rice Paddy Production Systems (methodology development ID #M0253) in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program.
The proposed methodology applies to projects implementing improved water management practices, such as alternate wetting and drying, in flooded rice systems to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The methodology incorporates the latest scientific findings and technological innovations for improving the management of rice production systems and the quantification of GHG emissions from those systems, including the use of measurement, reporting, and verification guidance specific to rice production systems.
The proposed methodology is based on Verra’s VM0042 Methodology for Improved Agricultural Land Management, v2.0; VMD0053 Model Calibration, Validation, and Uncertainty Guidance for the Methodology for Improved Agricultural Land Management, v2.0; and VMD0029 Estimation of Emissions from Non-CO2 GHGs from Soils, v1.1, as well as the UNFCCC CDM methodology AMS-III.AU Methane Emission Reduction by Adjusted Water Management Practice in Rice Cultivation (external) (which has been permanently excluded from use in the VCS Program). ATOA Carbon (external) has been leading the methodology development process.
The assessment will follow an alternative process as allowed for in Section 2.1.2. of the Methodology Development and Review Process, v4.3. The VVB assessment will follow procedures set out in Section 6 of the Methodology Development and Review Process, v4.3 but will focus exclusively on a) structure, clarity, and consistency of the methodology, b) quantification of emission removals and reductions and monitoring approaches, and c) auditability of the methodology. For more information on the scope of work, deliverables, timelines, and requisite skills and qualifications, please see the RFP for VVB Assessment of a VCS Methodology for Improved Management in Rice Paddy Production Systems.
Please submit proposals by Friday, March 22, 2024, to Carolina Cardoso Lisboa, manager, Agriculture Innovation (clisboa@verra.org). Verra anticipates selecting a VVB by end of March, 2024. The VVB assessment is expected to start in early April, in parallel with the public consultation, and to last approximately three months.