Updated Guidance for W+ Standard Labels for VCUs

Verra has released an updated guidance document (PDF) for proponents of projects in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program that are concurrently certified with the W+ Standard Program and are seeking to apply a W+ (external) label to Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) generated by their project.

A VCU certification label indicates that a project meets the requirements of other (non-VCS) standards or programs developed by nonprofit or governmental organizations. The W+ label signals that a VCS project conforms with the requirements of the W+ Standard, the only certification framework that provides metrics to quantify, verify, and monetize women’s empowerment results within projects and supply chains.

W+ labels for VCUs are active and available on the Verra Registry. Any VCS project (including joint VCS and Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards [CCBS] Program projects) that conforms with both the requirements of these Verra program(s) and the W+ Standard for registration, validation, and verification is eligible to receive VCUs with a W+ label.

Verra and Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (WOCAN) will be co-hosting a webinar on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at 2:00 pm ET, to provide an overview of the updated label guidance document and the process of acquiring W+ labels for VCUs.

WOCAN is also launching an optional piloting process for any project proponents wishing to receive more guidance on preparing their project documentation for W+ labeling eligibility. More information on the requirements for joining the piloting process and how to sign up may be found on the W+ Standard website (external).