Carbon standards organization Verra has restored eight China-based carbon projects to active status on its registry after concluding that local government authorities had validly authorized each project, in a move the represents the first reinstatements from a broad review launched in December 2025.
The eight projects cover afforestation, reforestation, and grassland management activities, and were among 35 registered natural climate solutions projects in China placed under quality control review following serious allegations that prompted Verra to reject other China-based projects and initiate the wider investigation.
The quality control review process required the validation and verification bodies responsible for each project to contact relevant local Chinese authorities directly to determine whether valid government authorization existed.
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In each of the eight cases, local authorities affirmed their authorization, and the verification bodies submitted government-approved project designs as supporting documentation. On the basis of that evidence, Verra closed the reviews and reinstated the projects, according to a news release on Wednesday.
The reinstated projects span several provinces and regions, including Qinghai, Gansu, Shanxi, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia. Among them are five afforestation and reforestation projects and three improved grassland management schemes.
Combined, the projects have issued several million Verified Carbon Units (VCUs), the majority of which have already been retired by buyers.
With the reviews closed, the reinstated projects may now proceed with verification and request the issuance of new credits through the normal process.
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Verra described the outcomes as demonstrating that its review mechanism is functioning as designed and allows it to distinguish compliant projects from those that fall short.
The remaining quality control reviews across the broader group of 35 projects are still ongoing, and Verra said it would provide further updates as those processes conclude.
