Verra conducts quality review of Verified Carbon Standard Program methodologies, inactivates 10 that have not been used by new projects in five years

Verra is conducting a comprehensive review of all methodologies in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. As per Section 5 of the Methodology Development and Review Process, v4.3 (MDRP) (PDF), Verra will conduct (1) a periodic review of each VCS methodology, module, and tool within five years after its last update or review, and (2) periodic reviews of methodologies from approved greenhouse gas (GHG) programs eligible for use under the VCS Program. This initiative reflects Verra’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and quality of its standards programs. It ensures that all VCS methodologies continue to satisfy updated VCS Program requirements and reflect best practices, the latest science, and evolving market conditions and technical developments in their sectors. The reviews and any ensuing revisions will follow the process outlined in the MDRP, v4.3 (PDF).

Verra may also choose to inactivate VCS methodologies where no projects have been registered within the past five years, per Section 5.1.4 of the MDRP, v4.3 (PDF).

In accordance with this guidance, Verra is inactivating 10 methodologies in the VCS Program that have not been used by new projects in the past five years.

Per the VCS Standard, v4.5 (PDF), Section 3.22.3, project proponents may use inactivated methodology versions for up to six months after the date they become inactive. Project proponents may also request that Verra reactivate an inactive methodology by following the requirements listed in the MDRP, v4.3 (PDF).

The following 10 VCS methodologies with no use in the past five years have been inactivated as of September 11, 2023.

• VM0002 New Cogeneration Facilities Supplying Less Carbon Intensive Electricity to Grid and/or Hot Water to One or More Grid Customers, v1.0
• VM0013 Calculating Emission Reductions from Jet Engine Washing, v1.0
• VM0020 Transport Energy Efficiency from Lightweight Pallets, v.10
• VM0023 Reduction of GHG Emissions in Propylene Oxide Production, v1.0
• VM0024 Methodology for Coastal Wetland Creation, v1.0
• VM0027 Methodology for Rewetting Drained Tropical Peatlands, v1.0
• VM0029 Methodology for Avoided Forest Degradation through Fire Management, v1.0
• VM0030 Methodology for Pavement Application using Sulphur Substitute, v1.0
• VM0031 Methodology for Precast Concrete Production using Sulphur Substitute, v1.0
• VMR0005 Methodology for Installation of Low-Flow Water Devices, v1.0

Verra will also exclude Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Climate Action Reserve (CAR) methodologies with no or low use from use in the VCS Program.