Verra has published a revision to the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) methodology under its Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Programme. The new methodology, designated as VMR0018, updates existing frameworks for methane avoidance through the separation of solids from wastewater or manure treatment systems.
The updated methodology applies directly to project activities designed to reduce or prevent methane production from anaerobic systems by removing volatile solids from wastewater or manure slurry streams.
VMR0018 introduces several functional updates to the previous framework:
The revision permits the utilization of separated solids from animal manure as bedding material in barns. This update includes the introduction of safeguarding measures to protect animal welfare, human health, and the surrounding environment, alongside specific calculation procedures to account for potential additional methane emissions.
The scope has been expanded to include quantification procedures for projects that utilize biofiltration systems, such as vermicomposting, to separate solids.
To increase the robustness of project assessments, the methodology now mandates the use of VCS tools VT0009 (Combined Baseline and Additionality Assessment) and VT0008 (Additionality Assessment) to establish baseline scenarios and demonstrate additionality.
Project developers must apply VMR0018 in conjunction with the existing CDM framework, adhering to all standard procedures unless explicitly contradicted by the new revision.
The introduction of VMR0018 establishes specific deadlines for carbon credit projects operating within the VCS Programme:
The standalone CDM methodology will be formally inactivated within the VCS Programme on 1 July 2027, after which all new project registrations must apply VMR0018.
For projects focusing exclusively on the newly expanded scopes—specifically bedding material conversion or biofiltration—the initial registration request must be submitted by 3 June 2028, or within four years of the start of the initial crediting period, whichever occurs earlier. All other project types must submit registration requests within two years of their initial crediting period start date.
Registered projects currently utilizing older methodologies must update to VMR0018 during their next crediting period renewal submitted on or after 1 July 2027. For grouped projects, any new instances added via a verification approval request after this date must comply fully with VMR0018 applicability conditions.
Existing projects wishing to transition voluntarily during their current crediting period may do so via a project description deviation for future monitoring periods, or through a methodology change and requantification procedure for past and future periods.
Furthermore, project proponents transferring operations from alternative greenhouse gas crediting programmes must demonstrate full compliance with VCS rules and meet all VMR0018 criteria.
