Keeping track of VM0047
In recent years, carbon markets have moved toward a higher level of integrity and transparency, working on new methodologies that can play a key role in this shift. An important example is VM0047, a methodology developed by Verra and focused specifically on AFOLU activities.
In December 2024, the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) approved Verra’s Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) methodology VM0047 under the Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) framework. This approval marked a significant step forward for high-integrity carbon markets. With this approval, carbon credits generated using VM0047 under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) program can carry CCP labels, thereby increasing buyer confidence and attracting investment in nature-based climate solutions.
Since its establishment and publication, Verra has approved several projects under this methodology. The Tond Tenga project in Burkina Faso is a key example of a high-quality carbon project developed under stricter global standards. It focuses on afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation (ARR). It was registered under the VCS program, and it is the first project to use the VM0047 methodology and has been formally approved by the ICVCM.
The project, located in West Africa, is looking forward to restoring around 12,000 hectares of degraded land through native tree planting and agroforestry practices. This large-scale restoration effort is expected to improve soil health, increase vegetation cover, and support more resilient ecosystems. Over a 40-year crediting period, the project is projected to remove more than 3.1 million tons of CO₂ from the atmosphere. The carbon credits generated will carry the Core Carbon Principles label, indicating high integrity and credibility in the voluntary carbon market.
Credits issued under the VM0047 methodology
April 20, 2026, marked a key achievement. Verra just approved the issuance of the world's first carbon credits under its afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation (ARR) methodology, VM0047. This is a significant milestone for the carbon market because it demonstrates the application of new, rigorous methodologies to real projects.
The Brazil Cerrado 1 project (Project ID 5511) is the first to receive these credits and has been authorized to issue 230,120 Verified Carbon Units (VCUs). This achievement is even more significant due to its ICVCM approval under its Core Carbon Principles (CCPs). The CCPs are considered the highest global standard for carbon credit quality.
The project is located in the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, and Minas Gerais. It focuses on restoring degraded cattle pasture land in the Cerrado Region, which was previously affected by repeated deforestation. Historically, these areas were impacted by intensive cattle ranching, where the introduction of non-native grasses and regular clearing cycles interfered with natural forest regeneration. As a result, the landscape maintained minimal carbon storage capacity and experienced a significant decline in its original biodiversity. These areas now benefit from a combination of native ecosystem restoration and sustainable forest management practices certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
The project is expected to remove approximately 7.3 million tons of CO₂ from the atmosphere and restore up to 25,000 hectares of forest over the next 20 years. The project will also create jobs, provide training, support local communities, and protect biodiversity in the Cerrado biome. The project is registered with Verra's VCS and Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards (CCBS) and was validated by AENOR.
The development and initial issuance of credits under VM0047 indicate a significant evolution in the voluntary carbon market, moving towards stronger standards and more reliable climate initiatives. Initiatives like Tond Tenga and Brazil Cerrado 1 demonstrate how carbon finance can transition from theory to practice by combining rigorous methodologies with on-the-ground implementation. The ICVCM's approval of VM0047 and its application through Verra frameworks highlight growing efforts to build trust, transparency, and accountability in carbon crediting. As more projects adopt these high-integrity approaches, they can scale up nature-based solutions, attract greater investment, and contribute significantly to global climate, biodiversity, and sustainability.
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