CCB: Definition

Updated 2026-11-02 · 2 min read · By the akar.earth specialist team

What is CCB? The Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards for land-based carbon projects, what the label means and when Indonesian projects use it.

CCB refers to the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards, a certification framework managed by Verra that assesses whether land-based carbon projects deliver net positive benefits for local communities and biodiversity as well as for the climate. Projects certified under both the Verified Carbon Standard and CCB can label their carbon credits as CCB.

Why it matters

Carbon accounting alone says nothing about people or species. CCB adds an independent check that a project respects rights, involves communities, protects biodiversity and leaves both better off. Many corporate buyers of nature-based credits look for the CCB label, and it is common on REDD+ and larger ARR projects.

How it works

• The project prepares a CCB project description alongside the VCS project design.
• It demonstrates criteria in general, climate, community and biodiversity sections, including stakeholder engagement, safeguards and monitoring of outcomes.
• A validation and verification body validates the design and later verifies results.
• Optional Gold Level recognises exceptional climate adaptation, community or biodiversity benefits.
• Verified VCUs receive a CCB label in the registry.

Full details are on our CCB Standards page.

Indonesia and Southeast Asia angle

Several of Indonesia’s large REDD+ projects on peat and lowland forest have used CCB alongside VCS, given the high biodiversity value and community presence in their areas. For smallholder agroforestry and ARR, CCB can document income and biodiversity gains, but the added audit and monitoring cost must be weighed against expected price premiums. Permenhut 6/2026’s emphasis on community participation aligns well with CCB requirements.

CCB validation and verification are usually done by the same auditor and at the same time as VCS audits, which reduces cost. Projects still need to budget for community and biodiversity monitoring throughout the project life.

Common mistakes

• Treating CCB as a carbon methodology; it is not.
• Underbudgeting community and biodiversity monitoring.
• Claiming CCB status before verification.
• Using generic biodiversity indicators that do not reflect the site.

CCB is one way to evidence co-benefits.