What is a GHG Program?

A Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Program is the mechanism that new or existing projects must use to certify they are actively reducing emissions. While there are other voluntary GHG programs throughout the world, none are more widely used than the VCS Program.

 VCS relies on four basic quality assurance elements to secure its place as the leader in the global carbon market:  

1. The VCS Program incorporates global best practices

VCS relies on a peer-review approach when creating or updating all VCS requirements. Projects must follow methodologies to ensure that all emission reductions and generated credits are real.  Projects must also be what’s known as additional, meaning they must exceed the likeliest “business-as-usual” scenario and demonstrate that emission reductions or removals would not occur without revenue from the sale of VCUs. 

2. VCS methodologies ensure robust GHG accounting in specific project scenarios 

VCS methodologies require projects meet specific eligibility criteria and lay out specific, pre-approved procedures for quantifying GHG emission reductions or removals. If no applicable methodology exists, VCS allows market participants to develop new methodologies, using innovative approaches that reflect the latest on-the-ground research.

3. VCS requires independent auditing of all projects

Emission reductions are independently audited by professionals certified to review protects in specific sectorial scopes. These auditors work for companies known as validation/verification bodies (VVBs) whose work is overseen by the VCS.

4. A transparent registry system ensures credits are unique and fully traceable online

VCS offers a secure registry system for issuing and transparently tracking each Verified Carbon Unit (VCU). This unique multiple-registry system can expand to new markets as needed. VCS oversees the work of VCS registries to ensure compliance with VCS rules and procedures.