Verra Approves World’s First Carbon Credits Under New ARR Methodology VM0047 for Brazil Cerrado Project
23 April 2026, Washington: Verra has approved the issuance of the first carbon credits globally under its new afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation (ARR) methodology, VM0047, marking a major milestone for nature-based climate finance.
The approval allows the Brazil Cerrado 1 Project (Verra Project 5511) to issue 230,120 Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) under VM0047 v1.0. The methodology is among those recognized by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market under its Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) framework, considered one of the highest global benchmarks for carbon credit quality and integrity.
The large-scale restoration project is spread across the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, and Minas Gerais. It is registered under both Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards (CCBS) programs.
The initiative focuses on restoring degraded cattle pastureland that had undergone repeated land-clearing cycles. Restoration activities include rebuilding native ecosystems and implementing sustainable forest management practices certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Mandy Rambharos, Chief Executive Officer of Verra, said afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation projects are essential for achieving global climate goals. She noted that the first approval under VM0047 demonstrates how robust methodologies can deliver measurable and lasting climate impact while supporting biodiversity and local communities.
She added that the Cerrado remains one of the world’s most important yet threatened ecosystems, and the project highlights how high-integrity carbon finance can help restore landscapes at scale.
Over its initial 20-year crediting period, the project is expected to remove approximately 7.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent from the atmosphere—around 364,000 tonnes annually. It is also projected to restore up to 25,000 hectares of forest cover, generate employment opportunities, provide training and livelihood support to local communities, and strengthen biodiversity conservation across the Cerrado biome.
BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group Senior Portfolio Manager Tom Hodgman said the registration reflects the company’s strategic focus on generating high-quality carbon credits that support climate, biodiversity, and financial goals for clients.
The project was validated and verified by Aenor, which served as the independent validation and verification body (VVB).
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