How It Works
VCS is a comprehensive quality-assurance system for carbon credits issued in voluntary markets.
Projects use Verified Carbon Standard requirements to ensure their carbon reductions meet accepted quality standards and are independently verified, uniquely numbered and transparently listed in a central database. VCS is among the most widely used carbon accounting standards by projects issuing credits in voluntary markets.
The VCS Program houses the Standard in a comprehensive set of procedures and requirements that all participants must follow to ensure the quality of every GHG credit. For instance, projects must contract VCS-approved validation/verification bodies to verify that every GHG credit represents one real, additional metric tonne of carbon reduced or removed from the atmosphere. Read more about the VCS Program
Verified Carbon Units, or VCUs, can be issued when projects meet all VCS requirements. VCUs must be issued into accounts managed by VCS-approved registries linked to a central VCS Project Database. This ensures businesses and consumers can trust and confirm the history of every VCU from issuance to retirement. See the VCS Project Database
Key partipants in the VCS quality assurance system include:
Project Proponents
are the owners or authors of activities that reduce or remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere. Projects can engage in a range of activities, such as capturing methane emissions from landfills, installing wind turbines, or avoiding deforestation, and they use VCS requirements to ensure they are effective. The range of project types is described under sectors & sectoral scopes.
Methodology and Project Developers
are professionals who develop carbon-curbing projects or methodologies, which set out the scientific and economic criteria for quantifying emission reductions. Project or methodology developers may develop new methodologies under the VCS Program in cases where no existing methodology approved under VCS or another GHG program meets their needs. Read more about methodologies.
Validation/Verification Bodies
are the professionals responsible for validating all projects and verifying all emission reductions under VCS. Under VCS, independent third-party validation and verification must be completed by approved Validation/Verification bodies known as VVBs. Read more about Validation & Verification.
Registry Operators
have the crucial role of ensuring every credit is uniquely numbered and traceable from origin to retirement. VCS has a unique multiple-registry system of independent registries linked to a central VCS Project Database, ensuring every credit is fully searchable online. Read more about VCS Registry system
Buyers & retailers
are the ultimate consumers of VCUs. The businesses and consumers who buy, sell and invest in carbon credits are key players in the VCS quality assurance system. However, to avoid potential conflicts of interest, VCS does not track VCU ownership or transactions in the voluntary market.
