Verra has launched a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label for Verified Carbon Units (VCUs). The label can be applied to credits generated by projects that are both registered with the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program and located on lands that have FSC forest management (FM) certification. This collaboration between FSC and Verra aims to ensure that VCUs from projects in FSC FM-certified forests are transparently labeled and indicates these projects conform with both standards programs.

Simultaneous participation in both programs will allow forest managers and communities within FSC-certified forests to scale up climate mitigation and sustainable development contributions through the generation of carbon credits. The fact that these credits are independently verified and certified under the VCS Program and are coming from forests with FSC FM certification demonstrates to carbon market stakeholders that credits from FSC-certified forests are generated through (1) sustainable forest management practices and (2) robust stakeholder engagement and rigorous social and environmental safeguards.

FSC’s mission is to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests. FSC forest management certification reflects many of the VCS Program requirements by confirming that the forest is being managed in a way that preserves biological diversity and benefits the lives of local people and workers, while ensuring it sustains economic viability. FSC-certified forests are managed to meet strict environmental, social, and economic standards.

A VCU certification label indicates that a unit meets the requirements of other (non-VCS) standards or programs developed by nonprofit or governmental organizations. Project proponents must follow the rules and requirements of each program and must consider the respective program documents as the primary source for each program’s project requirements.

To see the procedures and requirements for applying the FSC label to VCUs, see the newly published FSC Label Guidance, v1.0 (PDF), available on the VCS Rules and Requirements webpage. Please email registry@verra.org with any questions about applying this label.

Note: Where an entity retiring FSC-labeled VCUs wishes to use the FSC trademark (FSC initials only) in any claim, FSC requires that such entity must, prior to making such claim, enter into a valid trademark license agreement with FSC through execution of the FSC Labelled VCU Limited Trademark Authorization Letter. More information about the process and requirements for using the FSC trademark in connection with VCU retirement claims can be found on the FSC website.

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