SCS Global Services (SCS), a leader in third-party environmental certification, has successfully verified Africa’s first agricultural carbon offset project under Verra’s Improved Agricultural Land Management (VM0042) methodology.
This milestone marks the continent’s growing role in regenerative agriculture and climate action through carbon credits, according to a company statement by SCS last week.
The CNG AgriCarbon Rewards Programme Project (Verra Project 2554), developed by Anthesis Group, has been validated and verified by SCS, generating 39,207 Verified Carbon Units (VCUs).
Registered under Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program, this initiative supports sustainable farming practices across 43,446 acres (17,582 hectares) in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape provinces.
Farmers have implemented strategies such as optimized fertilizer use, reduced tillage, and improved residue management to enhance soil health and carbon sequestration.
Verra’s VM0042 methodology measures greenhouse gas reductions through improved land management, including soil sampling and biogeochemical modeling.
Since its release in October 2020, only one other project globally has achieved verification under this standard due to its rigorous assessment process, according to SCS.
“The SCS Greenhouse Gas Carbon Offset Verification Team is proud to be a part of this groundbreaking project,” said Christie Pollet-Young, Vice President of SCS’ Climate Division.
The company’s participation in this initiative aligns with its mission to assist organizations in showcasing their dedication to innovative practices that support conservation efforts, benefiting both ecosystems and communities.
Franz Rentel, Managing Director of Anthesis South Africa, highlighted SCS’ crucial role in reaching this milestone, noting that validation and verification under Verra’s VM0042 methodology marked a significant achievement.
SCS continues to assess similar VM0042 projects across Europe, North America, and Africa, further advancing global agricultural carbon initiatives.
Read more: Africa’s Voluntary Carbon Market Projected To Exceed $1.5T By 2050
