Verra has released VM0016 Destruction of Ozone-Depleting Substances and Hydrofluorocarbons, v2.0 in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. This comprises a major revision to VM0016 Recovery and Destruction of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) from Products, v1.1, following a public consultation. With this new version, Verra becomes the first carbon crediting program with a methodology for addressing the destruction of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) from specific sources in addition to ODS.

VM0016, v2.0 quantifies the greenhouse gas emission reductions from project activities that recover and/or collect ozone-depleting substances or hydrofluorocarbons from products (e.g., refrigerants, blowing agents, fire suppression agents, and propellants) and subsequently destroy them. Project activities prevent the partial or total atmospheric release of ODS or HFC that would have occurred in the baseline scenario.

This methodology is applicable to all countries that are Parties to the Montreal Protocol, including both Article 5 and non-Article 5 countries. This new version incorporates updates to align it with the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which controls ozone-depleting substances globally. It also expands the applicability of the methodology by allowing the destruction of the following substances and products that were not previously included:

  • Hydrofluorocarbons
  • Intact foams
  • Fire suppressants and propellants
  • Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and HFCs in stockpile, under specific conditions

Other changes include the adoption of a VCS tool for additionality assessment (VT0008) and clarifications to requirements related to sampling, analysis, container characteristics, mixed substances, etc.

Verra has also released an updated version of the associated VCS module, VMD0048. The new version, VMD0048 Activity Method for the Determination of Additionality for Recovered and Stockpiled ODS Refrigerants, v2.0, now includes HCFCs in its positive list of activities that are deemed automatically additional.

Verra wishes to thank A-GAS (external) and Tradewater (external) for providing funding to support the development of these revisions.* Thank you also to ICF International (external) for leading on technical development.

Implications for Projects

  • Projects may apply the new versions immediately.
  • The previous versions of the methodology and module will become inactive on January 1, 2027.
  • Projects seeking registration or crediting period renewal under VM0016, v1.1 and VMD0048, v1.0 must submit a registration request or crediting period renewal request by December 31, 2026. Those projects may continue to use VM0016, v1.1 during the upcoming crediting period but must update to the most recent version of VM0016 at their next crediting period renewal.

*The funding provided for the development of this methodology was made on a voluntary basis, with no expectation of reciprocity or quid pro quo, including, without limitation, preferential treatment in project-related decisions, the granting of approvals, or the acceleration of project registration or issuance.