Verra has released a revised version (v1.2) of VM0045 Methodology for Improved Forest Management Using Dynamic Matched Baselines from National Forest Inventories in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. VM0045, v1.2 is designed to meet the requirements of the Core Carbon Principles (CCP) Assessment Framework of the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM).

VM0045 applies to a wide range of improved forest management (IFM) practices aimed at avoiding emissions or enhancing carbon sequestration. These practices include enrichment planting, natural regeneration through management of competing vegetation, stand irrigation and/or fertilization, reducing harvest intensity, extending harvest rotations, designating reserves, and implementing fire risk reduction via fuel load treatments. To determine additionality and set the crediting baseline, the methodology employs a dynamic performance benchmark approach by using national forest inventories.

With this update, VM0045 now includes the following:

  • Enhanced guidance to test whether specific carbon pools or emissions sources are de minimis
  • A clarification to uncertainty equations to distinguish between monitoring approaches (i.e., of permanent vs. temporary plots)
  • Clarifications on how projects must present evidence of the mitigation outcomes during monitoring
  • Corrections to the equation used to calculate the standardized difference of means (SDM) during the match quality assessment
  • Clarifications regarding required covariates for obtaining matched baseline plots from the US Forest Service’s Forest and Inventory Analysis Program (FIA)

Verra developed version 1.2 of VM0045 with support from the American Forest Foundation (external) and TerraCarbon (external).

VM0045’s geographical scope is currently constrained to the conterminous United States. However, Verra is in the process of developing an approach to expand its applicability to other regions of the world.

Implications for VCS Projects

  • VM0045, v1.2 is active immediately.
  • Projects seeking to complete registration under VM0045, v1.1 (PDF) must complete validation and submit a registration request by April 30, 2026.