ICVCM CCP-label tracker

August 19, 2025 - Commentary

The Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) were developed by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) to set a minimum benchmark for carbon credit quality. These principles were designed to help market participants identify carbon credits that meet certain criteria to promote environmental impact and alignment with climate goals.

In early 2024, the ICVCM began assessing various “categories” of carbon credits for CCP labeling. A category is a project type combined with a carbon methodology. The ICVCM decides whether each category is eligible to receive the CCP label.

Calyx Global provides independent, project-level assessments of greenhouse gas (GHG) integrity risk in carbon projects. Our approach is aligned with the core carbon principles. Below is a distribution of GHG ratings for projects that are CCP label eligible alongside those that will not receive the CCP label. Importantly, this chart only represents projects Calyx Global has assessed and may be missing projects that have yet to be rated or issue credits.
Calyx Global GHG rating distribution of credits that are CCP Label eligible vs ineligble.png

The number of credits eligible for the CCP label vs ineligible remains a small percentage of credits issued. As of June 20, 2025, only 3.3% of the credits Calyx Global has rated are currently eligible for the CCP label.

Number of credits available that are eligible for the CCP label vs ineligible.png

** “CCP label” represents projects Calyx Global has rated that are in an approved category (i.e., project type + methodology). “No CCP label” includes categories that have been rejected by the ICVCM Board and/or where a carbon crediting program has itself excluded a category from consideration (e.g., VCS has excluded old REDD methodologies and a cookstove methodology).

To learn how CCP labeling works, see our explainer here. Otherwise, we built this tracker to give market participants up-to-date access to ICVCM CCP label decisions alongside our expert analysis.

The ICVCM CCP label tracker

Category-level assessments*

Last updated: August 18, 2025

Project category	Methodologies Programs	Status	Notes and links to Calyx Global analysis
Afforestation, reforestation and revegetation	ACR Afforestation and Reforestation of Degraded Lands, v 1.0-1.2 VCS – VM0047 Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation, v 1.0	Approved	N/A
Biochar	CAR U.S. and Canada Biochar, v 1.0 Isometric – Biochar Production and Storage, v 1.0 VCS – VM0044 Methodology for Biochar Utilization in Soil and Non-Soil Applications, v 1.2	Approved	N/A
Efficient cookstoves	GS Methodology for Metered & Measured Energy Cooking Devices v 1.0-1.2 GS Technologies and Practices to Displace Decentralized Thermal Energy Consumption (TPDDTEC) v 2.0-3.1, v 4.0 VCS – VM0050 Energy Efficiency and Fuel-Switch Measures in Cookstoves v 1.0	Approved with additional requirements	Calyx Global analysis Calyx Global analysis for TPDDTEC, v 2-3.1
Household biodigesters	GS Methodology for Animal Manure Management and Biogas Use for Thermal Energy Generation v 1.0-1.1	Approved with additional requirements	Calyx Global analysis
Improved forest management	ACR Improved Forest Management (IFM) on Non-Federal U.S. Forestlands, v 2.1 CAR Mexico Forest Protocol, v 3.0 VCS – VM0045 Improved Forest Management Methodology Using Dynamic Matched Baselines from National Forest Inventories, v 1.2	Approved with additional requirements	N/A
Landfill gas	GS, VCS – ACM0001 – Flaring or use of landfill gas, v 15.0-19.0 GS, VCS – AMS-III.G. – Landfill methane recovery, v 9.0-10.0 ACR Landfill Gas Destruction and Beneficial Use Projects, v 1.0-2.0 CAR U.S. Landfill Protocol v 6.0	Approved	Calyx Global analysis 1 Calyx Global analysis 2
LDAR	VCS – AM0023 – Leak detection and repair in gas production, processing, transmission, storage and distribution systems and in refinery facilities, v 4.0	Approved	N/A
N20 Abatement in Adipic Acid Production	CAR U.S. Adipic Acid Production Protocol, v 1.0 CAR China Adipic Acid Production Protocol, v 1.0	Approved	Calyx Global analysis
Ozone-depleting substances	ACR – Destruction of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) from International Sources – v 1.0 CAR – Article 5 Ozone Depleting Substances Protocol v 1.0-2.0 CAR – U.S. Ozone Depleting Substances Protocol v 1.0-2.0.	Approved	Calyx Global analysis Note: ACR’s U.S. ODS methodologies still under review
REDD+ (Project)	VCS – VM0048 Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, v 1.0	Approved	Calyx Global analysis
REDD+ (Jurisdictional)	ART The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES) v 2.0 – (non-HFLD, removals) VCS Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ (JNR) Framework, v 4.1	Approved	Note: ART-TREES HFLD and Removals is still under consideration
Efficient cookstoves	Gold Standard – AMS-II.G. - Energy efficiency measures in thermal applications of non-renewable biomass v 1.0-13.1 GS The Gold Standard Simplified Methodology for Clean and Efficient Cookstoves v 1.0-3.0	Rejected	Calyx Global analysis
Grid-connected renewable energy	GS, VCS – ACM0002 – Grid-connected electricity generation from renewable sources, v 1.0-21.0 GS, VCS – ACM0006 – Electricity and heat generation from biomass, v 1.0-16.0 GS, VCS – ACM0018 – Electricity generation from biomass in power-only plants, v 1.0-6.0 GS, VCS – AM0036 – Use of biomass in heat generation equipment, v 1.0-7.0 GS, VCS – AM0072 – Fossil Fuel Displacement by Geothermal Resources for Space Heating, v 1.0-3.0 GS, VCS – AMS-I.D. – Grid connected renewable electricity generation, v 1.0-18.0	Rejected	Calyx Global analysis
Household biodigesters	GS, VCS – AMS-I.E. - Switch from non-renewable biomass for thermal applications by the user, v 1.0-13.0 Gold Standard – AMS-I.I. – Biogas/biomass thermal applications for households/small users, v 1.0-6.0	Rejected	Calyx Global analysis
Mini-Grids	GS, VCS – AMS-I.L. – Electrification of rural communities using renewable energy, v 1.0-4.0	Rejected	N/A
Renewable energy (Offgrid)	GS, VCS – AMS-I.A. - Electricity generation by the user, v 1.0-19.0	Rejected	N/A
SF6 Avoidance	VCS – AM0065 – Replacement of SF6 with alternate cover gas in the magnesium industry, v 2.1	Rejected	Note: There are very few SF6 projects
Afforestation, reforestation and revegetation	ERS – M001 Quantification Methodology for Terrestrial Forest Restoration, v 1.1-1.2 GS Afforestation/Reforestation (A/R) GHG Emissions Reduction & Sequestration Methodology, v 2.1 GS Sustainable Management of Mangroves, v 1.0 Isometric Reforestation, v 1.0	Assessment in progress	Awaiting announcement
Biochar	Puro.earth – Biochar Methodology, v 3.0	Assessment in progress	Awaiting announcement
CDR	GS Carbon Sequestration Through Accelerated Carbonation Of Concrete Aggregate, v 1.0 Isometric – Bio-oil Geological Storage, v 1.0-1.1 Isometric – Biogenic Carbon Capture and Storage, v 1.1 Isometric – Biomass Geological Storage, v 1.0-1.1 Isometric – Direct Air Capture, v 1.1 Isometric – Subsurface Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage, v 1.0	Scheduled for consideration	Awaiting announcement
CDR	GS Methodology for Biomass Fermentation with Carbon Capture and Geologic Storage, v 1.0 Puro.earth – Carbonated Materials, v 2.0 Puro.earth – Geologically Stored Carbon, v 1.0 Puro.earth – Terrestrial Storage of Biomass, v 1.0 Verra (VCS) – VM0049 Carbon Capture and Storage, v 1.0	Assessment in progress	Awaiting announcement
Efficient cookstoves	GS Emission Reductions from Safe Drinking Water Supply, v 1.0	Assessment in progress	Awaiting announcement
Enhanced weathering	Isometric – Enhanced Weathering in Agriculture, v 1.0-1.1 Puro.earth – Enhanced Rock Weathering Methodology, v 1.0	Assessment in progress	Awaiting announcement
Enteric methane	GS Methane Emissions Reduction from Enteric Fermentation in Beef Cattle Through Application of Feed Supplements, v 1.0 VCS – VM0041 Methodology for the Reduction of Enteric Methane Emissions from Ruminants through the Use of Feed Ingredients, v 2.0	Assessment in progress	Awaiting announcement
HFC Displacement	ACR Certified Reclaimed HFC Refrigerants, Propellants, and Fire Suppressants, v 1.0-2.0	Assessment in progress	Awaiting announcement
HFC Replacement	ACR Advanced Refrigeration Systems, v 1.0-3.0 ACR Transition to Advanced Formulation Blowing Agents in Foam Manufacturing and Use, v 1.0-3.0	Assessment in progress	Awaiting announcement
Grid-connected renewable energy	GS, VCS – AMS-I.C. – Thermal energy production with or without electricity, v 1.0-22.0 GS, VCS – AM0123 – Renewable energy generation for captive use, v 1.0	Assessment in progress	Awaiting announcement
HFC-23 destruction: HFC-23 abatement from HCFC-22 production	VCS – AM0001 – Decomposition of fluoroform (HFC-23) waste streams, v 1.0-5.0	Very unlikely to meet	Awaiting announcement
Improved forest management	ACR Improved Forest Management (IFM) on Non-Federal U.S. Forestlands, v 2.0	Scheduled for consideration	Awaiting announcement
	CAR Mexico Forest Protocol, v 2.0	Assessment in progress	Awaiting announcement
	VCS – VM0045 Improved Forest Management Methodology Using Dynamic Matched Baselines from National Forest Inventories	Withdrawn
Industrial biodigesters	CAR Argentina Livestock, v 1.0 CAR Dominican Republic Livestock, v 1.0 CAR Mexico Livestock Protocol, v 2.0 CAR U.S. Livestock Protocol, v 1.0-4.0	Assessment in progress	Awaiting announcement
Industrial energy efficiency (supply side)	VCS – AM0017 – Steam system efficiency improvements by replacing steam traps and returning condensate, v 1.0-2.0 VCS – AM0018 – Baseline methodology for steam optimization systems, v 1.0-4.0 VCS – AM0020 – Baseline methodology for water pumping efficiency improvements v 1.0-2.0	Very unikely to meet	Awaiting announcement
Landfill avoidance	CAR U.S. Organic Waste Composting Protocol, v 1.0-1.1 GS Methodology for Collection of Macroalgae to Avoid Emissions from Decomposition, v 1.0	Assessment in progress	Awaiting announcement
Marine carbon dioxide removals	Isometric – Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement from Coastal Outfalls, v 1.0	Assessment in progress	Awaiting announcement
Mine methane	ACR Capturing and Destroying Methane from Coal and Trona Mines in North America, v 1.0-1.1 VCS – ACM0008 - Abatement of methane from coal mines, v 6.0-8.0	Assessment in progress	Awaiting announcement
N2O abatement in nitric acid production	VCS – AM0028 – N2O destruction in the tail gas of Caprolactam production plants, v 1.0-6.0 VCS – AM0034 – Catalytic reduction of N2O inside the ammonia burner of nitric acid plants, v 1.0-5.1.1	Very unlikely to meet	Awaiting announcement
New natural gas power	VCS – ACM0025 – Construction of a new natural gas power plant, v 1.0-2.0 VCS – AM0107 – New natural gas based cogeneration plant, v 1.0-4.0	Very unlikely to meet	Awaiting announcement
ODS destruction	ACR Destruction of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and High-Global Warming Potential (GWP) Foam, v 1.0-2.0	Assessment in progress	Awaiting announcement
REDD (Project)	ACR Active Conservation and Sustainable Management on U.S. Forestlands v1.0	Scheduled for consideration	Awaiting announcement
REDD+ (Jurisdictional)	ART The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES), v2.0 - HFLD Crediting Approach ART The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES), 2.0 - Removals Crediting Approach	Scheduled for consideration	Awaiting announcement
Rice cultivation methane avoidance	GS Methodology for Methane Emission Reduction by Adjusted Water Management Practice in Rice Cultivation, v 1.0 VCS – VM0051 Improved Management in Rice Production Systems, v 1.0	Assessment in progress	Awaiting announcement
Sustainable agriculture	CAR U.S. Soil Enrichment Protocol, v 1.1 GS Soil Organic Carbon Framework Methodology, v 1.0 VCS – VM0042 Methodology for Improved Agricultural Land Management, v 2.0	Assessment in progress	Awaiting announcement
Waste heat recovery	VCS – ACM0012 – Waste energy recovery, v 1.0-6.0 VCS – AMS-III.Q. – Waste energy recovery, v 1.0-6.0 VCS – AM0066 – GHG emission reductions through waste heat utilization for pre-heating of raw materials in sponge iron manufacturing process, v 1.0	Very unlikely to meet	Awaiting announcement

*This list excludes project categories the ICVCM has yet to commence assessing or has not updated on its public website.

Removed from ICVCM Carbon Credit Category Assessment table:

Low-carbon transport/electric vehicles

VM0038 Methodology for Electric Vehicle Charging Systems
AMS-III.BM – Lightweight two and three wheeled personal transportation
GS two and three wheeled personal transportation

Scheduled for consideration

Awaiting announcement

Carbon credits generated by approved cookstove and household biodigester methodologies are eligible for the CCP label only if the following conditions are met:

The fraction of non-renewable biomass (“fNRB”) must be derived using the modeling fuelwood savings scenario (MoFuSS) model OR the Clean Development Mechanism default of 0.3 may be applied for a limited period** AND
Fuel consumption must be determined either by using a Kitchen Performance Test (KPT) or Controlled Cooking Test (CCT) OR using methodology default values with cross checks on fuel savings, AND
For projects that use charcoal, a direct charcoal emission factor (which may include production emissions) or a wood-to-charcoal conversion factor of four to one is used.

Program-level assessments

		Calyx Global screening
Carbon crediting program	ICVCM status	Pass/Fail	Level
ACR (American Carbon Registry)	Approved	Premium subscriber content
Architecture for REDD+ (ART)	Approved
Climate Action Reserve (CAR)	Approved
Ecosystem Restoration Standard (ERS)	Approved
Gold Standard (GS)	Approved
Isometric	Approved
Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)	Approved
Cercarbano	Under review
Global Carbon Council	Under review
Plano Vivo Foundation	Under review
Puro.earth	Under review
Riverse	Under review
Social Carbon	Application withdrawn, application to be considered in next application cycle
Wilder Carbon	Under review

Subscribers have access to Calyx Global’s independent program-level screenings providing additional due diligence beyond ICVCM approvals. Click here to access the subscriber portal or contact the team for a demo.

About the author

Calyx Global Research Team

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