Ecobiz.asia – The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) has approved two additional Verra methodologies as meeting its Core Carbon Principles (CCPs), covering carbon projects that reduce methane emissions from rice cultivation and landfill waste.
According to a Verra statement as quoted on Friday (Aug. 21, 2026), the approvals cover methodologies for improved water and crop management in rice paddies and landfill gas capture, expanding the range of carbon projects eligible to receive CCP labels if they meet all applicable eligibility requirements.
The approvals recognize methodologies for improved water and crop management in rice paddies and for landfill gas capture, expanding the range of carbon projects eligible to receive CCP labels if they meet all applicable eligibility requirements.
The two methodologies are VM0051 Improved Management in Rice Production Systems, v1.1 and VMR0016 Flaring or Use of Landfill Gas (ACM0001 Revision), v1.0.
Both methodologies target methane, a potent greenhouse gas with a significantly higher warming effect than carbon dioxide.
VM0051 quantifies emission reductions from improved water and crop management in flooded rice production systems, primarily by reducing methane emissions generated during cultivation.
The methodology could also enable smallholder rice farmers, who account for a large share of rice production across Asia, to access carbon finance to support the transition to lower-emission farming practices. The practices are also expected to support food security in low-income communities while reducing emissions from rice production.
The second methodology, VMR0016, covers projects that capture landfill gas and either flare the methane, use it to generate electricity or thermal energy, or supply the gas to consumers through distribution networks, dedicated pipelines or trucks.
The methodology is applicable globally and was developed to align with the CCPs. It replaces ACM0001 and AMS-III.G. as the standalone landfill gas methodology under Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program.
VMR0016 is linked to Verra’s new VT0009 Combined Baseline and Additionality Assessment, v1.0, which enables projects using the methodology to claim CCP labels for eligible credits.
Under the previous framework, only landfill gas-to-electricity projects with a capacity of up to 10 megawatts electrical (MWe) were eligible to request CCP labels.
The methodology also incorporates updated scientific approaches by requiring oxidation factors to be applied in line with the latest science.
Credits generated under both methodologies will be eligible for CCP labels provided the projects meet all relevant eligibility conditions. ***
