Verra recently released a guidance document for Wetland Restoration and Conservation (WRC) projects using the AFOLU Non-Permanence Risk Assessment Calculator, v4.2 to assess the non-permanence risks due to sea-level rise within their project area.

Version 1.0 of Guidance on Sea-Level Rise Risk Assessment Using the Non-Permanence Risk Assessment Calculator, v4.2 (PDF) provides step-by-step instructions for the sea-level rise risk assessment using the Non-Permanence Risk Assessment Calculator in the Verra Project Hub. It should only be applied to projects that are partially or entirely in the intertidal zone at the time of assessment.

While project proponents and validation/verification bodies (VVBs) are not required to use this guidance, it supports their ability to assess local project conditions and highlights specific evidence that may be used to support the assessment. This information is a critical component of the risk assessment.

The guidance document was developed by Silvestrum Climate Associates (external).

Verra has launched digital versions of multiple deeds of representation for use in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program, as well as a digital version of the VCS Requantification Notification Form, v1.0. These are now available on the Verra Project Hub as part of Verra’s ongoing digitalization initiative, which is a multiyear effort to enhance transparency and efficiency, streamline processes, and scale up Verra’s impact.

Verra encourages the use of digital versions of documents where possible. Digital submissions facilitate transparency and enable an efficient review process.

A deed of representation is a legal document signed by a stakeholder in the VCS Program, such as a project proponent or a validation/verification body (VVB), to make certain warranties in respect to the project and the greenhouse gas emission reductions and carbon dioxide removals that a project generates. Users may now complete these deeds of representation and request signatures digitally through the Verra Project Hub.

Please see below for a full list of newly digitalized project representations.

Submitting the VCS Requantification Notification Form, v1.0 is the first step required in the VCS Methodology Change and Requantification Procedure, v4.0 (PDF). The procedure enables projects to update the methodology or methodology version they are using for past verification periods and requantify the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and carbon dioxide removals (reductions and removals) from past verification periods in accordance with that updated methodology. Project proponents must submit this form upon the start of activities with their contracted VVB.

When a requantification notification form is submitted, a notification goes out to all account holders who hold active Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) from the verification periods for which the project intends to requantify reductions and removals. The Verra Project Hub also hosts a public list of all projects that have submitted a requantification notification, including information on which monitoring and verification periods the requantification covers. This provides increased transparency for VCU holders.

For any issues accessing the digital representations or requantification notification form, please contact hubsupport@verra.org.

For guidance on using the digital representations or requantification notification form, please consult the respective user guide. (The user guides are also available in the Verra Project Hub).

Verra expects to release digital versions of additional program documents throughout the year, including a digital Exemption Request Form, which is coming soon.

Verra has opened a public consultation on a minor revision (methodology development ID #M0280) to Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) methodology AMS-III.BM.: Lightweight two- and three-wheeled personal transportation (external). The revised methodology would be published in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. The consultation will run from March 19 through April 18, 2025.

AMS-III.B.M. applies to project activities that help shift urban passenger transport to mechanical and electric bicycles and tricycles by developing supporting infrastructure, such as bicycle lanes, bicycle sharing programs, and bicycle parking areas. By facilitating the use of low-emission transport options, this methodology contributes to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality, and decreased reliance on fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

The proposed revision expands the methodology’s scope to include other two- or three-wheeled electric vehicles (e.g., electric motorcycles and scooters). The revision also allows for the inclusion of business-oriented delivery and transportation services.

Please see the public consultation document (PDF) for the full background and details about the proposed updates.

Verra is accepting feedback through its new digital public consultation platform, which is hosted on the Verra Project Hub. Stakeholders will need to use the link provided to enter their personal details, confirm their email address, and access the online consultation form. For additional guidance, please review the user guide (PDF).

Comments may be submitted electronically via the online form by 11:59 pm Anywhere on Earth (UTC-12) on April 18, 2025. If you experience issues using the digital public consultation platform or have feedback on it, please contact hubsupport@verra.org.

Verra has released clarifications to two Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) methodologies for composting: ACM0022: Alternative waste treatment processes, v3.0 (external) and AMS-III.F.: Avoidance of methane emissions through composting, v12.0 (external). The two CDM methodologies apply to activities that reduce methane emissions from organic waste, with ACM0022 covering alternative waste treatment processes (e.g., composting under aerobic conditions, gasification, anaerobic digestion with biogas recovery) and AMS-III.F. covering controlled biological treatment through composting or anaerobic digestion in closed reactors.

The clarifications confirm that the methodologies, which refer broadly to composting projects, are also applicable to insect composting projects in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. The clarifications are effective as of February 14, 2025.

The primary clarification to each CDM methodology stipulates that composting under these methodologies covers any type of controlled aerobic biological treatment, including microorganisms, insects, earthworms, and others. Therefore, composting activities involving insects are also included in each methodology.

Insect composting is an alternative waste management practice with aerobic conditions; it reduces methane emissions when replacing anaerobic waste treatment practices that do not include methane destruction. This method transforms organic waste into compost and, depending on the process, may have additional benefits, such as offering substitutes (for example, in animal feed) for animal or crop-based protein sources that are associated with higher greenhouse gas emissions and use of land and other resources.

The clarifications to ACM0022 (PDF) and clarifications to AMS-III.F. (PDF) documents contain additional guidance, including on the following topics:

• Determination of the methane and nitrous oxide project emission factors
• Procedures for demonstrating additionality
• Use of the latest version of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) documents

At the start of 2025, Verra would like to share two important reminders with project proponents and validation/verification bodies (VVBs).

A number of project templates are now effective for all project requests submitted on or after January 1, 2025. These templates were introduced in an April 16, 2024, update to the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program, per guidance in the April 2024 Overview of VCS Program Updates and Effective Dates (PDF).

Several templates apply to projects in the VCS Program, and several are for projects jointly using the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards (CCBS) Program and the VCS Program. The templates are available in the Rules and Requirements section on the VCS Program Details page.

The effective date of January 1, 2025, means that all submissions of project documentation for any project request to the Verra Registry must be prepared using the updated versions of the templates.

Verra will not be granting exemptions to anyone using the old templates.

Verra would also like to remind stakeholders that a new Exemption Request Procedure was released on November 27, 2024. The procedure applies to projects in any of Verra’s programs, and it lays out the following criteria for what constitutes an acceptable exemption request:

• Exemption requests related to deadlines to initiate or complete pipeline listing, validation, verification, baseline reassessment, or crediting period renewal
• Exemption requests for projects to change VVBs
• Exemption requests related to VVB site visits at validation and verification

Verra will not grant exemptions for deadlines related to effective dates or grace periods of program updates, corrections and clarifications, or methodologies.

Please contact info@verra.org with any questions about the procedure. All exemption requests must be submitted to registry@verra.org.