Verra (VCS)
A leading standard for certifying voluntary carbon projects, including removals and reductions.
What is Verra (VCS)?
Verra (formerly Verified Carbon Standard, VCS) is one of the world's leading greenhouse gas (GHG) crediting programs. It provides a set of rules and requirements that projects must follow to be certified, ensuring that carbon credits generated represent real, measurable, additional, and permanent GHG reductions or removals.
Why is Verra (VCS) important?
Verra is important because it brings integrity and credibility to the voluntary carbon market by setting robust standards for project development, validation, and verification. This helps ensure that carbon credits are high-quality and deliver genuine climate benefits, attracting investment and promoting trust in carbon offsetting.
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Frequently asked questions
Verra certifies a wide range of project types, including forest and land-use projects (e.g., REDD+, afforestation), renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management, and carbon capture and storage.
Verra's rigorous process includes project registration, validation by independent third parties, monitoring of GHG impacts, and periodic verification by accredited bodies, all against its comprehensive rules.
While primarily known for its role in the voluntary carbon market, Verra also develops and manages standards that can inform and integrate with compliance markets.