Verra Reaches Key Milestones in Finalizing New REDD Methodology

Verra, the world’s leading standards setter for climate action and sustainable development, has reached two important milestones in preparation for the release of its new consolidated REDD methodology:

• Publication of an updated draft methodology
• Launch of activity data collection process to establish deforestation baselines

The updated draft methodology is available in the “VVB Assessment Draft” section of the methodology’s webpage. It incorporates slight changes in response to findings the auditor raised after their review of the previous draft, including the following:

1. The removal of wetlands as an eligible land type
2. The option to update to a subsequent baseline validity period sooner than required per the VCS Standard, v4.4 (PDF)
3. The addition of provisions for projects transitioning from VM0009 to this methodology

Verra is publishing this draft methodology to support stakeholders planning new projects or transitioning existing ones. The final version of the new consolidated REDD methodology is expected to launch early in Q4 of 2023.

Verra has also identified the first set of jurisdictions for crowdsourcing data to establish deforestation baselines, and has begun the process of gathering activity data. With the gathering and allocation of activity data using a single deforestation dataset for the entire jurisdiction, projects no longer have to rely on reference regions to project future deforestation. It is one of the key innovations of Verra’s consolidated REDD methodology, which ensures that forest conservation credits issued with the certification of Verra’s flagship Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program maintain the highest level of integrity.

By the end of 2024, jurisdictional baselines will be set in all 40+ jurisdictions with VCS Avoided Unplanned Deforestation projects worldwide.