Verra Releases Second Set of Modules and Tools for Carbon Capture and Storage

Verra has released a new module and two tools for use under the methodology VM0049 Carbon Capture and Storage, v1.0 in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. With this release, Verra is expanding its coverage of carbon dioxide removal activities to include Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS). Carbon credits generated using robust quantification approaches for technological carbon dioxide removal approaches are critical components for companies and governments seeking to achieve net zero goals, complementing their efforts to reduce emissions as much as possible.

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This release consists of the VCS module VMD0059 CO2 Capture from Bioenergy, which enables the development and registration of BECCS projects in the VCS Program. It also includes two tools that can be used with any module under VM0049: VT0012 Accounting Non-VCS CO2 in CCS Projects and VT0013 Differentiating Reductions and Removals in CCS Projects.

This follows the October 2024 release of the first set of modules: VMD0056 CO2 Capture from Air (Direct Air Capture), VMD0057 CO2 Transport for CCS Projects, and VMD0058 CO2 Storage in Saline Aquifers and Depleted Hydrocarbon Reservoirs.

The modules and tools included in these two releases help realize the flexible approach offered by VM0049, which enables projects to select from a set of modules for different CO2 capture, transport, and storage activities to quantify the carbon dioxide removals and emission reductions they generate. These modules can be combined to suit a project’s specific design or its technological needs. This modular format is adaptive to project expansions and future innovations, and the development of shared infrastructure (CCS hubs).

CCS hubs are systems shared by several emitters that use the same CO2 transportation, storage, or utilization infrastructure. Sharing infrastructure with other organizations that are not registered with the VCS Program reduces implementation barriers and helps proponents optimize business models and capital efficiency while minimizing risk. Verra sees CCS hubs as an important mechanism for scaling the climate impact of CCS by improving their cost-effectiveness and development times.

The framework, along with related modules and tools, is the first global methodology that allows and encourages collaborative CCS hubs and shared infrastructure for the efficient and scalable deployment of multiple CCS technologies.

VM0049 and the associated modules were developed by Verra and the CCS+ Initiative (external).

Verra is continuing to develop additional modules and tools for use with VM0049, which will be released in the future.