Consultation and RFP: New CO2 Capture Module Under CCS Methodology
Verra has opened a public consultation on a new carbon capture module that could expand how industrial businesses claim verified carbon credits. The module sits under VM0049, Verra's umbrella methodology for carbon capture and storage projects. Consultation feedback closes on 29 October 2025. Proposals for independent expert review are due by 5 October 2026.
The development matters because it broadens the types of industrial CO2 capture activities eligible under the Verified Carbon Standard. Until now, Verra's coverage of industrial capture has been limited. This module brings cement works, steel plants, hydrogen production, fertilizer manufacturing, and industrial heat generation into scope. For UK businesses in these sectors, it could open a route to verified carbon credits where none existed before.
Moreover, the module is designed to combine multiple capture activities into a single framework. That approach could simplify project registration for sites with more than one CO2 source. It also reflects growing industry pressure to make carbon accounting workable for complex industrial operations, not just single-point capture facilities.
Businesses exploring carbon capture need credible verification if they want to monetise reductions or meet supply chain requirements. Consequently, changes to major standards like VM0049 have direct commercial implications. This consultation is an opportunity to shape those rules before they are finalised.
How VM0049 carbon capture methodology is structured
VM0049 uses a modular structure to account for capture, transport, and storage activities separately. Verra describes the framework as globally applicable. It is intended to quantify both carbon dioxide removals and emission reductions from CCS projects. Each module addresses a different part of the value chain or a different project type.
The methodology first launched with coverage for direct air capture, transport, storage, and bioenergy capture. Verra has since added further modules. In particular, it introduced a module for natural gas processing, which it described as the first VM0049 module focused on an industrial project activity. The new module being consulted on now extends that industrial coverage significantly.
Verra's methodology development process follows a structured pathway. The new module is currently at Step 3, labelled "Draft Methodology" on Verra's public tracker. The module carries the development ID M0479. It applies to project activities eligible under the latest version of VM0049. Verra states that the draft module is available on request by contacting methodologies@verra.org with M0479 in the subject line.
The module combines CO2 capture from bioenergy, bioproducts, combustion-based industrial heat and power generation, and industrial processes. Specifically, it covers iron and steel production, hydrogen, fertilizer, and cement. These are all sectors where decarbonisation is technically challenging and where carbon capture is increasingly seen as necessary to meet net zero targets.
Public consultation and expert review process now underway
Verra is running two parallel processes. First, it is seeking public consultation feedback on M0367, an earlier industrial capture module. That consultation period runs from 29 September 2025 to 29 October 2025. Comments must be submitted by 11:59 pm Anywhere on Earth, which corresponds to UTC minus 12, on 29 October 2025. Second, it is accepting proposals for independent expert review of the new M0479 module. The deadline for those proposals is 5 October 2026.
Verra is also inviting stakeholders to support development as technical contributors or reviewers. This is standard practice in voluntary carbon market methodology development. It allows project developers, industrial operators, auditors, and NGOs to feed into the design before approval. However, participation is voluntary and Verra retains final decision-making authority.
The M0479 module page was last updated on 29 September 2026. That date appears inconsistent with the consultation timeline and may reflect a clerical error in the source material. Regardless, the module remains in draft form and has not yet been approved for use under the VCS Program. Final eligibility details are therefore subject to change based on consultation feedback and expert review findings.
What this means for carbon capture projects in industry
Industrial carbon capture is more complex than single-source or direct air capture. Plants often have multiple CO2 streams with different concentrations, temperatures, and impurities. Capture equipment must integrate with existing operations without causing downtime. Verification methodologies need to account for variability in feedstock, production schedules, and capture efficiency. As a result, methodology design determines whether a project can credibly claim verified climate benefits.
Until now, many industrial CO2 sources have not been eligible under VM0049. That has limited the ability of manufacturers to generate verified carbon credits from capture investments. The new module changes that by covering a wide range of industrial processes in a single framework. If approved, it could increase the number of projects able to register under the VCS Program and generate verified emission reductions or removals.
This matters particularly for hard-to-abate sectors. Cement, steel, and fertilizer production are responsible for significant CO2 emissions in the UK and globally. Electrification is often not viable for these processes. Therefore, carbon capture is one of the few technically feasible options for deep decarbonisation. Without robust carbon accounting, investment in capture technology remains harder to justify commercially.
For project developers, the module could simplify the path to credit issuance. Combining multiple capture activities into a single module reduces the need to apply separate methodologies for different parts of a site. It also reduces the administrative burden of verification. For buyers of carbon credits, broader industrial coverage could increase the supply of high-quality credits from permanent storage projects rather than short-term avoidance schemes.
There are also implications for public procurement and supply chain sustainability. Many UK public sector buyers now require suppliers to demonstrate carbon reduction aligned with net zero. PPN 06/21, the government's procurement policy note on carbon reduction plans, applies to contracts above £5 million per year. Verified carbon credits from industrial capture projects could help suppliers meet those requirements, provided the credits are additional, permanent, and independently verified.
Furthermore, the module could affect how businesses approach Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions reporting. Captured and stored CO2 can reduce reported emissions if the capture is permanent and the methodology is recognised by reporting frameworks. However, that recognition is not automatic. It depends on alignment between Verra's methodology and the requirements of frameworks such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, CDP, and the Science Based Targets initiative.
Key details from Verra's consultation documents
- The new module carries the development ID M0479 and is titled "Module for CO2 Capture" under VM0049 Carbon Capture and Storage.
- It applies to CO2 capture from bioenergy, bioproducts, combustion-based industrial heat and power, and industrial processes including iron, steel, hydrogen, fertilizer, and cement.
- Verra describes the module as combining multiple activities into a single capture module, simplifying project registration for multi-source sites.
- Public consultation feedback on the earlier M0367 industrial module closes at 11:59 pm Anywhere on Earth on 29 October 2025.
- Independent expert review proposals for M0479 are due by 5 October 2026, with the draft methodology available on request from Verra.
- The module remains at Step 3 in Verra's methodology development process and has not yet been approved for use under the VCS Program.
- VM0049 is globally applicable and uses a modular structure to account for capture, transport, and storage separately across different project types.
What UK businesses should be considering now
If your business operates in cement, steel, hydrogen, fertilizer, or industrial heat generation, this consultation is worth attention. The final module design will determine whether your capture projects qualify for verified credits. Getting involved now gives you a chance to flag practical issues before the methodology is locked down.
Even if you are not planning to develop carbon credits, the module could affect how you report emissions. Increasingly, clients and procurement teams expect carbon reduction to be verified by third parties. Having a recognised methodology in place makes that verification possible. Without it, claims of carbon capture may not be accepted in tenders or supply chain audits.
It is also worth monitoring how the module aligns with UK policy. The government's carbon capture business models provide financial support for industrial capture projects, but that support is tied to specific eligibility criteria. If Verra's methodology diverges from those criteria, projects may face a choice between subsidy access and carbon credit eligibility. Understanding that trade-off early is important for financial planning.
For businesses already planning carbon capture investments, this is a good time to review your project scope. The modular structure of VM0049 means you may need to combine capture, transport, and storage modules to claim full credit. Each module has its own eligibility rules and monitoring requirements. Therefore, understanding the full methodology stack is essential before committing capital.
We support businesses with carbon reporting compliance and net zero program development, including Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions measurement. If you are considering carbon capture as part of your decarbonisation strategy, we can help you assess whether your project would be eligible under emerging methodologies and how to structure monitoring and verification. Similarly, our compliance support services cover ESG reporting frameworks and alignment with public sector procurement requirements.
It is also worth considering how carbon capture fits into your broader net zero roadmap. Capture is expensive and energy-intensive. It is most cost-effective when paired with other measures such as energy efficiency, fuel switching, and process optimisation. Our experience suggests that businesses achieve the best outcomes when they treat capture as one component of a wider strategy, not a standalone solution.
Where to find further information and consultation details
Verra publishes all methodology development updates on its public platform. You can track progress on M0479 and submit consultation feedback through the Verra methodologies page. The draft module is available on request by emailing methodologies@verra.org with M0479 in the subject line.
For broader context on carbon capture policy in the UK, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero provides updates on government support schemes, business models, and regulatory developments. The department also publishes guidance on how carbon capture aligns with the UK's net zero strategy and industrial decarbonisation plans.
If you are exploring carbon capture as part of a public sector supply chain, the PPN 06/21 guidance on carbon reduction plans sets out the requirements for suppliers bidding on contracts above £5 million per year. Understanding how verified carbon credits are treated under that policy is important for compliance and competitive positioning.
For technical standards and best practice on carbon management, the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment publishes resources on greenhouse gas accounting, carbon verification, and environmental assurance. IEMA guidance is widely recognised in UK industry and aligns with international frameworks such as ISO 14064 and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.