Verra has introduced VT0010, a new tool within the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Programme, to enhance the calculation of emissions from electricity consumption and generation. Dubbed ‘VCS Tool VT0010 Emissions from Electricity Consumption and Generation, v1.0’, the tool provides robust procedures for assessing baseline, project, and leakage emissions across various electricity sources.
VT0010 is designed for methodologies approved under the VCS Programme that require emission estimates for electricity use. It applies to diverse electricity sources, including national and regional grids, offsite low-carbon power plants using wheeling arrangements, and directly connected power plants (both shared and dedicated).
Key Features of VT0010 include enhanced flexibility that allows both direct measurement and estimation methods for monitoring electricity consumption; emission factor calculation that provides flexible options, enabling projects to use VCS Tool VT0011 for national or regional grid emission factors, ensuring accurate data for diverse contexts, and; adaptability across scenarios which covers multiple electricity use scenarios, including national or regional grid electricity use, offsite low-carbon power plants via wheeling arrangements, shared power plants and dedicated power plants.
The tool is built on methodologies from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), incorporating advanced procedures for fossil fuel emissions, grid factors, and thermal efficiency to ensure comprehensive and accurate calculations.
VT0010 meets the requirements of the Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) under the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM). Methodologies leveraging VT0010 may qualify for CCP labels, enhancing their credibility in the carbon market.
Existing VCS methodologies reliant on the CDM TOOL05 will be phased out and replaced by VT0010, with a transition grace period for ongoing projects. New methodologies requiring electricity emissions quantification will mandate VT0010’s application, promoting consistency across projects.
This launch follows a public consultation held between December 15, 2023, and January 29, 2024, reflecting stakeholder input. Verra plans to update methodologies relying on VT0010 in the coming months, further streamlining electricity-related emissions reporting.
With VT0010, Verra aims to standardize electricity emissions calculations, making projects more transparent and compliant with global carbon market expectations. The move underscores Verra’s commitment to advancing sustainability through rigorous, adaptable tools for emission measurement.
