verra

Verra is a non-profit organization that develops and manages standards for climate change mitigation and sustainable development projects within the voluntary carbon market. The organization designs and maintains globally applicable methodologies that enable project developers to quantify greenhouse gas reductions and co-benefits in a consistent way, and to issue verifiable credits to buyers.

Verra's standards include the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards (CCBS), and the Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard (SD VISta). The VCS provides a framework for quantifying and validating emissions reductions, CCBS assesses social, environmental, and biodiversity co-benefits, and SD VISta focuses on verified sustainable development outcomes. Verra issues Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) for verified emissions reductions and administers the Verra Registry, which tracks credits from issuance to retirement. Validation and verification are conducted by independent third-party bodies in accordance with Verra-approved procedures.

Verra operates globally, with projects in forestry, agriculture, energy, and other sectors. The organization collaborates with project developers, buyers, governments, and civil society to promote transparency, environmental integrity, and sustainable development benefits in the voluntary carbon market.

The organization has faced scrutiny and criticism common to voluntary market standards, including debates over baseline setting, additionality, permanence, and governance. Verra has continued to update its methodologies, safeguards, and transparency measures in response to evolving expectations. As of 2024, Verra remains a leading standard-setter and registry operator in the voluntary carbon market.