Verra has released a revised version (v1.1) of the module VMD0054 in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. The new version has the updated title VMD0054 Estimating Leakage from the Displacement of Agricultural Activities, v1.1. The module can be used with VCS methodology VM0032 Methodology for the Adoption of Sustainable Grasslands through Adjustment of Fire and Grazing, VM0042 Improved Agricultural Land Management, and VM0047 Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation, as indicated in each methodology.

Version 1.1 constitutes a minor revision to version 1.0 of the module, incorporating feedback received during a public consultation that ran from May 23 to June 24, 2024.

VMD0054 provides a standardized approach for estimating leakage, which occurs in the form of greenhouse gas emissions outside of a project boundary when project activities displace agricultural or fuelwood production.

VMD0054, v1.1 features the following updates:

  • It introduces an accounting framework that takes into account the production of new commodities introduced to the project area when calculating the net emissions from land use changes.
  • It includes revised ecosystem conversion assumptions so that projects in areas with very little forest cover can use the most common native ecosystem as the reference for quantifying carbon stock change due to displaced production.

Implications for Projects

VMD0054 v1.0 will be inactivated on February 1, 2027.

Projects that meet the submission deadlines below may continue to apply VMD0054, v1.0 for the remainder of their project crediting period or baseline reassessment period, whichever is shorter.

Type of Project RequestSubmission Deadline
RegistrationJanuary 31, 2027
Verification approval where the verification includes one of the following:

  • Baseline reassessment

  • A methodology change through a project description deviation

January 31, 2027
Crediting period renewalJanuary 31, 2027
RequantificationJanuary 31, 2027

Submission for ICVCM Approval

VMD0054, v1.0 has been approved by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) as meeting the requirements of the Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) Assessment Framework. Verra will submit VMD0054, v1.1 to the ICVCM for consideration of the included updates.

Webinar

On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 11:00 am ET, Verra will host a webinar to provide an overview of VMD0054, v1.1.

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Questions

If you have any questions related to VMD0054, v1.1, please contact secretariat@verra.org.