Verra has announced the permanent inactivation of the UNFCCC CDM methodology AM0065, which pertains to the replacement of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) with alternative cover gases in the magnesium industry, effective 17 September 2024.
AM0065 addresses projects that substitute SF6, a cover gas used to prevent rapid oxidation in welding, with other gases. This decision follows a recent review by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM), which concluded that carbon credits from AM0065 projects do not align with the Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) framework. Verra’s action, part of its routine methodology review process, reflects the methodology’s outdated additionality requirements and the expectation that the covered activities will soon become standard practice.
For projects currently using AM0065 within the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program, they may continue to issue Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) until their current crediting periods end but cannot renew them. Additionally, projects under validation or listed in the Verra Registry must complete their validation by 17 March 2025.