Verra has inactivated four Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program methodologies following a routine review. Per section 5 of the Methodology Development and Review Process, v4.4 (PDF), Verra will conduct (1) a periodic review of each VCS methodology, module, and tool within five years of its last update or review, and (2) periodic reviews of methodologies from approved greenhouse gas programs eligible for use in the VCS Program. These four methodologies have been inactivated due to low use; additionally, three were inactivated due to redundancy, as they were adapted from Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) methodologies that have since been revised to expand the scope of activities.
This review process reflects Verra’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and quality of its standards programs. It ensures that all VCS methodologies continue to meet updated VCS Program requirements and reflect best practices, the latest science, and evolving market conditions and technical developments in their sectors.
The inactivated methodologies are as follows:
- VMR0001 Revisions to ACM0008 to Include Pre-drainage of Methane from an Active Open Cast Mine as a Methane Emission Reduction Activity, v1.0
- VMR0002 Revisions to ACM0008 to Include Methane Capture and Destruction from Abandoned Coal Mines, v1.0
- VMR0003 Revisions to AMS-III.Y to Include Use of Organic Bedding Material, v1.0
- VM0014 Interception and Destruction of Fugitive Methane from Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Seeps, v1.0
These methodologies have been inactivated effective as of June 28, 2024. For more details regarding implications for affected projects, please see below.
New projects implementing activities that were to date covered under VMR0001 may use CDM methodology ACM0008: Abatement of methane from coal mines, v8.0, which is active in the VCS Program.
New projects implementing activities that were to date covered under VMR0002 may use CDM methodology ACM0008: Abatement of methane from coal mines, v8.0, which is active in the VCS Program.
Proponents with active projects using this methodology can complete the verification and issuance process until the end of their crediting period. New projects implementing activities that were to date covered under VMR0003 may use CDM methodology AMS-III.Y.: Methane avoidance through separation of solids from wastewater or manure treatment systems, v4.0, which is active in the VCS Program.
This methodology is currently not used by projects and has an outdated greenhouse gas quantification approach. Proponents interested in developing a project using this methodology may propose a revision to VM0014 to ensure it aligns with the latest VCS Program rules and requirements.