WASHINGTON – Feb. 10, 2026 | Verra has welcomed the Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s newly issued Decree on Carbon Credits. The Decree formally recognizes international carbon crediting standards, including Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program, and establishes a clear regulatory framework for carbon project development and approval, helping channel climate finance toward national development priorities and the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

This Decree clarifies the potential role of international carbon credit projects within Lao PDR’s climate strategy. It also enhances regulatory clarity for project developers, investors, and local communities to partner on high-quality carbon credit projects that deliver real climate and sustainable development benefits.

“Carbon markets are most effective when they are embedded in clear, enabling policy environments, and so we’re proud to see the government of Lao PDR take this step. Verra looks forward to supporting stakeholders in Lao PDR as they explore opportunities to implement high-integrity climate projects.”

Mandy Rambharos, CEO, Verra

The Decree, which was recently publicly launched, establishes a regulatory framework that enables the following:

  • The use of internationally recognized standards, including the VCS Program, which has issued over 1.3 billion credits across 125+ countries
  • The issuance of carbon credits for both voluntary and international compliance markets, which supports Lao PDR’s engagement with international cooperation frameworks, including Article 6 of the Paris Agreement
  • Streamlined project registration and assessment, paving the way for more efficient implementation of Verra-certified projects in key sectors such as forestry, agriculture, energy, and waste
  • Inclusive participation of all societal sectors through awareness raising and benefit sharing

Contact:

Media Inquiries: Erdem Koch | media@verra.org

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Verra is a global leader helping to tackle the world’s most intractable environmental and social challenges. As a mission-driven nonprofit organization, Verra is committed to helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve livelihoods, and protect natural resources by working with the private and public sectors. We support climate action and sustainable development with standards programs and tools that credibly, transparently, and robustly assess environmental and social impacts and enable funding for sustaining and scaling up projects that verifiably deliver these benefits.