Comment: The significance of the decision by VERRA to approve or deny this methodology cannot be overstated. The critique of the NCX proposal by CarbonPlan contains an important observation:
“...No doubt one response to this criticism will be the standard line in the voluntary carbon markets: “critics can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” The problem with this position – aside from higher emissions – is that unregulated carbon markets have no governance system to review claims and make changes over time. Instead, critical technical choices are left up to private parties, like NCX, that have a direct profit motive to sell more offset credits for a given volume of temporary carbon storage.” (https://carbonplan.org/blog/ton-year-ncx)
VERRA comes as close as we have towards a “governance” system that serves as a gatekeeper of integrity in voluntary standards. Thus, this decision matters.
NCX response: We agree that the voluntary carbon market needs high-quality standards and governance that raise the bar for credit quality and transparency.
Commenter Organization: Forest and Climate Policy
Commenter: Andrea Tuttle
2021 Deferred Harvest Methodology Section: No Section Indicated
Comment: The significance of the decision by VERRA to approve or deny this methodology cannot be overstated. The critique of the NCX proposal by CarbonPlan contains an important observation:
“...No doubt one response to this criticism will be the standard line in the voluntary carbon markets: “critics can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” The problem with this position – aside from higher emissions – is that unregulated carbon markets have no governance system to review claims and make changes over time. Instead, critical technical choices are left up to private parties, like NCX, that have a direct profit motive to sell more offset credits for a given volume of temporary carbon storage.” (https://carbonplan.org/blog/ton-year-ncx)
VERRA comes as close as we have towards a “governance” system that serves as a gatekeeper of integrity in voluntary standards. Thus, this decision matters.
Proposed Change: No Proposed Change