VM0047 Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation Methodology

Updated 2026-11-02 · 4 min read · By the akar.earth specialist team

VM0047 explained: Verra's ARR methodology, v1.1 dates, area-based and census-based approaches, CCP status and how to apply it to Indonesian projects.

VM0047 is Verra’s methodology for afforestation, reforestation and revegetation (ARR), used to quantify carbon removals when projects establish, increase or restore vegetation cover. Version 1.1 has been effective for all projects since 14 May 2025, it is CCP-Approved, and it is now the main route for new ARR projects in Indonesia under the VCS Program.

What VM0047 is

VM0047 replaced the older CDM ARR methodologies for new VCS projects. Projects using AR-ACM0003 or AR-AMS0007 that were listed as Under Validation had to complete validation by 30 June 2025. See VM0047 vs AR-ACM0003.

The methodology covers activities that establish, increase or restore vegetative cover in non-forest areas, or enhance carbon stocks where forest cover already exists. It offers two quantification approaches:

Version history

Grace period for v1.0 projects: request pipeline listing as Under Validation by 31 December 2025, and request registration by 31 December 2026. Check the Verra methodology page for any later updates.

VM0047 can be combined with other methodologies in a single VCS project. Verra’s VM0042 FAQ, for example, mentions projects combining VM0041, VM0044 and VM0047.

Key requirements

• Land eligibility. Under VCS rules, ARR land must not have been cleared of native ecosystems within the 10 years before the project start. See land eligibility 10-year rule.
• Additionality. Under the area-based approach, the dynamic performance benchmark determines additionality and the crediting baseline at each verification.
• Carbon pools. Above- and below-ground biomass are central; other pools may be included or excluded under the methodology’s rules.
• Measurement. Field plots with tree measurements and allometric equations, combined with remote sensing under the area-based approach.
• Uncertainty deductions where precision targets are not met.
• Leakage from displaced activities such as grazing or cropping.
• Non-permanence. A buffer contribution based on the AFOLU non-permanence risk tool.

The full text has detailed rules on control plot selection, stocking indices, sampling and model choice. Read the current methodology document directly.

How it applies in Indonesia and Southeast Asia

Indonesia has large areas of degraded land, abandoned agricultural land and smallholder farms suitable for ARR. Typical project types:

• Block reforestation on degraded land inside forest estate or under social forestry permits: area-based.
• Agroforestry with coffee, cocoa, rubber or fruit trees on smallholder farms: often census-based where there is no land-use change.
• Mangrove planting is usually better handled under VM0033 for tidal wetlands.

Domestic rules apply in parallel. Perpres 110/2025 is the legal anchor, Permenhut 6/2026 governs forestry carbon trading and names social forestry, customary forests and communities as legitimate participants, and exchange-traded units must be recorded in SRUK.

Species choice affects growth and risk. See species selection for ARR. For an early volume estimate, use our ARR carbon estimator.

Planning an Indonesian VM0047 project

A typical sequence for a new project:

1. Screen land for the 10-year clearing rule, tenure and permits.
2. Choose area-based or census-based approach.
3. Run a pilot inventory to estimate stocks, variability and plot numbers.
4. Build an ex-ante estimate and financial model with conservative growth.
5. Draft the project description, then book a VVB.

Budget for monitoring across the full crediting period, not just validation. Field remeasurement, remote sensing and VVB verification recur at each monitoring event, and they decide the project’s net margin.

Common pitfalls

• Clearing within 10 years. Recent clearing disqualifies land.
• Poor control plots. Under the area-based approach, the benchmark depends on good matched controls.
• Optimistic ex-ante estimates. Credits are issued on measured results; ex-ante forecasts should be conservative. See ex-ante carbon estimation.
• Weak plot relocation. Auditors re-measure plots; precise coordinates matter.

Relationship to ICVCM CCP status

Verra states that VM0047 v1.0 and v1.1 are CCP-Approved, and Verra is a CCP-Eligible program. That gives both ticks, subject to project-level conditions checked at verification. See CCP label.

Next steps

Read the ARR hub, our guide to ARR project feasibility, or return to the standards hub.