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The updated Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS v5.0) announced by Verra in December 2025 introduces a key change to pipeline listing timeline requirements.
Understanding these timing requirements before starting a VCS project is essential to ensure eligibility under the VCS and the applicable methodology.
This article explains the changes to key dates in the updated VCS and how they apply, using a Verra Afforestation, Reforestation, And Revegetation (ARR) project as an example.
Key change for pipeline listing submission
The pipeline listing submission window has been reduced from three years of project start date, to one year of the initial crediting period start date.
The table below summarises this change.
Table 1: Key change to pipeline listing timeline
This change not only shortens the submission window but also shifts the timing reference from the project start date to the initial crediting period start date.
How is a project start date defined under Verra for ARR project?
The project start date for an ARR project under Verra ARR Method (VM0047 v1.1) is the earlier of either:
the date on which site preparation activities began, or
the land use change date.
Table 2 below outlines these activities and provides examples.
Table 2: Project start date activities and examples
This means a Project Start Date may be as early as the date of purchase of the land, prior to any site preparation or planting.
What about the initial crediting period start date?
The ‘initial crediting period start date’ as per VCS v5.0 (formerly ‘crediting period start date’ in VCS v4.7), is the key date in VCS v5.0 which determines when the pipeline listing must be submitted by.
The initial crediting period start date is defined differently to the project start date, and both are used in the new standard VCS v5.0. These dates may happen to be the same or different, depending on the project scenario. Refer to Table 3 for examples.
For ARR projects, the initial crediting period start date can be established by the following actions, as outlined in the updated VCS v5.0.
Mechanical or chemical site preparation (e.g., soil preparation, clearing, soil disturbance, tree planting, pesticide application)
Implementing change in management or implementation practices that leads to regeneration
Table 3: Example cases showing where dates can be the same or different
What is involved in a pipeline listing?
Verra maintains a pipeline listing registry, where potential projects in the early development phases are listed and made publicly available. To list a project, basic information is submitted a fee is paid. Projects that do not proceed can be removed from the registry.
Are there timeline requirements for baseline measurements under the ARR Methodology?
The ARR Methodology requires field measurements to determine the baseline. There were no changes here with the release of VCS v5.0, however timeline requirements in the Methodology need to be considered.
Where the project start date is defined by a land-use change, or where no site preparation has occurred at the start date, ARR Methodology requires that plots are established and plot-based sampling is conducted for all significant carbon pools within two years of the project start date. If this timeline is not met, the project, in most cases, is no longer eligible under the methodology.
How do the project timelines compare?
Figure 1 illustrates example project timelines comparing the previous and updated VCS requirements for ARR projects. The 1-year requirement applies to all pipeline listings submitted after 1 January 2027. The 3-year requirement still applies to any submitted prior to this date.
Summary
The key project dates must be carefully considered prior to project development. The updated VCS shortens the pipeline listing timeframe and shifts the timing reference to the initial crediting period start date. These changes may significantly impact project planning, particularly where early activities such as land purchase or site preparation trigger key dates earlier than expected.
Understand how these timing requirements apply to their specific project scenario to maintain eligibility under the VCS is essential.
Footnotes
1 Note for project eligibility, the land is not defined as forest for 10 years prior to the project start date, and hence there is no forest clearing prior to the start date.
Cover photo by Tobias Tullius on Unsplash
