Verra proposes revisions to improve afforestation practices

Verra has announced a public consultation to gather feedback on proposed updates to its Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Methodology VM0047 for Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR), version 1.0, and the associated module VMD0054.

Butterfly sitting on a tree seedling in a park, people in the background. AI generated picture.

The revisions aim to facilitate the adoption of the ARR methodology by clarifying conditions for a census-based approach. This approach is particularly relevant for small, dispersed planting areas such as urban forestry, agroforestry, and shelterbelts.

Key updates include enhanced georeferencing requirements for areas less than one hectare, options to account for clearing degraded ecosystems during site preparation, and revisions to equation numbers, footnotes, and cross-references for clarity. Additionally, a minor correction has been proposed for the definition of leakage mitigation areas in VMD0054.

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These changes are part of Verra's ‘Enhanced Program Integrity and Impact’ initiative, reflecting their commitment to improving methodological standards continuously. The consultation invites stakeholders to contribute to refining these important methodologies, ensuring they remain effective and applicable in various contexts.

Verra's initiative underscores their dedication to advancing carbon standards, promoting better environmental practices, and supporting global reforestation efforts. Public feedback is crucial in this process, helping to shape robust and practical methodologies for the future.

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