Verra has selected Agresta, Space Intelligence, and a consortium of TerraCarbon and Clark Center for Geospatial Analytics (CGA) to produce new jurisdictional activity data (AD), forest cover benchmark maps (FCBMs), and allocated deforestation risk maps for use under Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) methodology VM0048 Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, v1.0 and the associated module VMD0055 Estimation of Emission Reductions from Avoiding Unplanned Deforestation, v1.1.

The resulting VMD0055-compliant allocated deforestation risk maps will then be used by project proponents to set project baselines.

Verra has been working with several data service providers (DSPs) to develop VMD0055-compliant allocated deforestation risk maps for the initial jurisdictions as noted on the VMD0055 Jurisdictional Data Table page. To increase the efficiency of the data development process, Verra is now partnering closely with the three selected DSPs to develop additional open-access and VMD0055-compliant allocated deforestation risk maps. These three DSPs have a proven track record of developing high-quality forest cover and forest cover change data and will be able to produce risk maps that meet the stringent requirements of VMD0055 in a timely manner. Collaborating closely with a limited number of DSPs will also enable Verra to further improve the data development process.

The DSPs have non-exclusive long-term agreements (LTAs) with Verra for the development of the VMD0055 risk maps. The DSPs and Verra will each receive a portion of the Project Activity Data Allocation (PADA) fee. Each DSP will be assigned jurisdictions to map on a rolling basis over the course of the five-year agreement. The first jurisdictions have been assigned as indicated below.

The DSPs will complete the risk maps for the following jurisdictions for which jurisdictional activity data and forest cover benchmark maps have already been developed:

  • Argentina: Agresta
  • The Philippines: Space Intelligence
  • Papua New Guinea: TerraCarbon with CGA

The DSPs will complete the entire mapping process (i.e., generation of activity data, forest cover benchmark maps, and risk maps) for the following jurisdictions:

  • Equateur Province, Democratic Republic of Congo: Agresta
  • Mato Grosso State, Brazil (second baseline validity period): Space Intelligence
  • Pará State, Brazil (second baseline validity period): TerraCarbon with CGA

Additional jurisdictions will be assigned in the near future.

Note: Verra’s approach to providing allocated baselines for VCS Avoided Unplanned Deforestation (AUD) projects under VM0048 and VMD0055 is not intended to replace or question government Forest Reference Emission Levels (FRELs). In implementing this approach to baseline setting, Verra and DSPs use official data where possible and share final risk maps with relevant government agencies.

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