Verra inactivates Rimba Raya project's methodology

: Emissions
24/01/24

Carbon registry Verra has inactivated the methodology that is currently used by Indonesia's Rimba Raya peat swamp forest project.

The VM0004 methodology for avoided planned land use conversion in peat swamp forests is being scrapped as part of an ongoing review of methodologies, Verra said. The decision, which is effective 23 January, aims to reflect continuous developments in best practice.

Verra is set to publish updated modules for avoided planned deforestation activities in peatlands under the VM0007 REDD+ Methodology Framework by the end of March. It also aims to release a standalone methodology on tropical peatlands by the end of the year.

The only project registered under and currently using the VM0004 methodology is the Rimba Raya project in Indonesia, which is also one of the biggest forest projects worldwide with 33.6mn voluntary carbon credits issued since 2013. The design of the VM0004 methodology was based on the Central Kalimatan peat swamps, the area that is protected by the Rimba Raya project.

"Projects that have already been validated may continue to apply the methodology [...] until the next validation, baseline reassessment, or crediting period renewal," Verra said.

The first version of the methodology was released in 2010 and updated to the second version in October 2022.

By Nicola De Sanctis

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