Verified Carbon Standard | Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ (VCS JNR)

REDD+ activities fall into 3 categories: Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD), Improved Forest Management (IFM), and Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR).

National, subnational/jurisdictional, and nested projects and jurisdictions. Subnational jurisdictions may either be based on administrative boundaries or other boundaries (e.g. eco-region) established by the national government.

Jurisdictional baselines are fixed for a period of between 5 and 10 years (defined by a jurisdictional proponent) and subsequently updated with the same periodicity. Where no UNFCCC baseline has been established for the purposes of crediting in a market-based mechanism, the proponent must develop at least two alternative baseline scenarios: (1) historical annual average emissions or removals over an 8 to 12 year period; and (2) historical trend of emissions or removals based on changes over at least 10 years, both ending within 2 years of the start of the current jurisdictional baseline period. Modeled adjustments reflecting national or subnational circumstances may be presented as alternative baseline scenario(s). After presenting the options the jurisdiction must determine the most plausible baseline and justify its selection.

Additionality is assumed to be factored into the jurisdictional baseline. Nested projects do not need to demonstrate additionality if they have adopted a spatially explicit jurisdictional baseline under JNR scenario two. In scenario one the project must demonstrate additionality following the procedures to do so in the project level methodology being applied.

National jurisdictions do not need to account for leakage (i.e., international leakage) but should identify and mitigate it to the extent possible. Subnational jurisdictions also must identify the potential of baseline drivers to cause leakage and develop and implement measures to avoid or reduce the risk of leakage. Subnational jurisdictions are further required to estimate and deduct any residual leakage that may occur outside the jurisdiction but within the country (i.e., where there is no national REDD+ programme with national monitoring in place). Three types of leakage are considered: activity-shifting, market and ecological leakage. GHG emissions from leakage may be determined either directly from monitoring, or indirectly when leakage is difficult to monitor directly but where scientific knowledge or research provides credible estimates of likely impacts. Subnational jurisdictions may optionally use the JNR Leakage Tool to estimate leakage, or may justify use of their own method(s).

Jurisdictional REDD+ programmes seeking to issue credits must assess risk categories such as political/governance, programme design and natural risk, using the JNR Non-Permanence Risk Tool. The tool also allows jurisdictions to demonstrate where they have reduced risk by implementing risk mitigation strategies. The overall risk rating will then determine the volume of buffer credits to be deposited in a jurisdictional pooled buffer account. This account will hold non-tradable buffer credits to cover any reversals associated with jurisdictional programmes and nested projects. Jurisdictional programmes that demonstrate their longevity, sustainability and ability to mitigate risks are eligible for release of buffer credits from the jurisdictional pooled buffer account. Nested projects use the AFOLU Non-Permanence Risk Tool to determine their non-permanence risk and the volume of buffer credits which are also deposited into the jurisdictional pooled buffer account.

Jurisdictional proponents must provide information in the monitoring reports with respect to how they have avoided (and where necessary mitigated) negative, and enhanced positive, social impacts in accordance with the safeguards contained in Appendix 1 of Decision 1/CP.16 of the UNFCCC Cancun Agreements and relevant jurisdictional (national and subnational) REDD+ safeguards requirements.

Jurisdictional proponents must provide information in the monitoring reports with respect to how they have avoided (and where necessary mitigated) negative, and enhanced positive, environmental impacts in accordance with the safeguards contained in Appendix 1 of Decision 1/CP.16 of the UNFCCC Cancun Agreements and relevant jurisdictional (national and subnational) REDD+ safeguards requirements.

There are a number of procedural safeguards that address integration in policies, laws, regulations; transparency; stakeholder participation; provision of information; and avenues for stakeholders to air grievances. Implementation of the jurisdictional program and any nested project shall not lead to the violation of any applicable law, regardless of whether or not the law is enforced. Jurisdictional programs, baselines and crediting options including benefit sharing mechanisms must be developed in a transparent manner, and in consultation with relevant stakeholders (including private land owners, local communities, indigenous peoples, and/or relevant government agencies). The standard refers to Principle 6 of the REDD+ SES, the FCPF Guidelines on Stakeholder Engagement in REDD+ Readiness, and UN-REDD procedures as a basis to guide consultation processes. Monitoring reports must be provided which contain information on how the Cancun Safeguards are being addressed and jurisdictional proponents must ensure such information is made readily available to all relevant stakeholders throughout implementation of the jurisdictional REDD+ program.

A mechanism for handling and resolving grievances and disputes related to the design, implementation and evaluation of the jurisdictional REDD+ program is required.  The standard references Principle 6.6 of the REDD+ SES as potential guidance.

A jurisdictional proponent must submit a VCS JNR Monitoring Report for verification at least every 5 years. Nested subnational jurisdictions and projects may monitor and report at different intervals than the higher-level jurisdiction, but must also monitor and synchronize their reporting with the higher-level jurisdiction at least every 5 years. At validation, the jurisdictional proponent must select which level (lower or higher) will consistently be used for reconciling any discrepancies between lower and higher level monitoring results.

Jurisdictional programs and nested projects applying the VCS JNR Requirements use the VCS Registry System. The VCS Registry System is currently supported by two registry operators: APX and Markit. New registry service providers are able to join the VCS Registry System at any time.