Carbon offset schemes enable individuals and companies to invest globally in environmental projects, offsetting their carbon footprints.
Validation/Verification bodies (VVB) organisations ensure projects align with their stated objectives and emissions reductions/removals.
We assess carbon projects using renowned international standards like Verra (VCS and CCB), the Gold Standard and Plan Vivo. These standards define methodologies, rules and requirements, validating projects as proven methods for reducing carbon emissions.
Click the tab below to learn more about the standards.
Your options
Verra
Founded in 2007, Verra is one of the leaders in the voluntary carbon markets (VCMs), managing programmes globally to generate meaningful environmental and social value.
It sets standards for diverse activities such as reducing deforestation, improving agricultural practices, addressing plastic waste and promoting gender equality. Verra certifies that these activities achieve measurable, high-integrity outcomes.
Available programmes
Verified Carbon Standard Program (VCS)
VCS, the world’s most widely used greenhouse gas crediting programme, channels finance toward emission reduction activities, improving livelihoods and protecting nature. VCS projects have reduced or removed nearly one billion tons of carbon and other GHG emissions from the atmosphere.
VCS Programme leads the way in developing methodologies and tools to unlock the carbon reduction potential of AFOLU projects. These natural climate solutions encompass forestry, agriculture, grasslands, wetlands and livestock. Projects in the AFOLU sector, certified by VCS, undergo a rigorous assessment process and can be issued issue Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) for monetisation in the carbon market, supporting and scaling up climate change mitigation activities.
Preferred by Nature Project Scopes
- ACoGS: Avoided Conversion of Grasslands and Shrublands
- ARR: Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation
- IFM: Improved Forest Management
- ALM: Agricultural Land Management
- WRC: Wetlands Restoration and Conversion
Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Program
Verra’s CCB Program supports land use projects in addressing climate change, benefitting local communities and smallholders, and conserving biodiversity. The CCB Standards are applicable to any land management project. They can be applied exclusively to a project or in conjunction with VCS certification.
Verra VCS MAP – Verified Carbon Standard | Methodology Approval Process
For projects outside existing methodologies, project developers can create a new methodology through VERRA’s methodology approval process (MAP). Preferred by Nature is an approved third-party to review and validate proposed methodologies under MAP.
The Gold Standard
Established in 2003, the Gold Standard ensures projects reducing carbon emissions feature high environmental integrity, contributing to sustainable development. Rigorous safeguards, stakeholder engagement and advanced methodologies ensure that projects not only meet climate and SDG targets but also garner price premiums for environmental commodities like carbon credits.
The process is fully digitalised, partnering with SustainCERT, the official certification body for the Global Goals. This collaboration aims to streamline costs and simplify the certification process. The Gold Standard’s NGO Supporter Network and strategic partnership with industry thought leaders help maintain the highest standards for climate and development initiatives.
Preferred by Nature Project scopes
- ARR: Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation
- ALM: Agricultural Land Management
Plan Vivo
Plan Vivo, originating in 1994 as a pilot research project in Chiapas, Mexico, is a reliable standard for forestry, agricultural and land-use projects. It focuses on promoting sustainable development, improving rural livelihoods and enhancing ecosystem services.
Projects under Plan Vivo work closely with rural smallholders and communities. The standard emphasises participatory design, ongoing stakeholder consultation, the use of native species and biodiversity enhancement within a variety of payments for ecosystem service schemes, including carbon sequestration and emissions reductions.
The standard is suitable for projects that:
- Protect and restore the environment
- Tackle climate change
- Support climate-sensitive communities
Preferred by Nature’s Project scopes
- ACoGS: Avoided Conversion of Grasslands and Shrublands
- ARR: Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation
- IFM: Improved Forest Management
- ALM: Agricultural Land Management
- WRC: Wetlands Restoration and Conversion