ICAO approves Verra's revised rice methodology under CORSIA framework

The International Civil Aviation Organization approved Verra's revised methodology VM0042 for reduced methane emissions from rice cultivation for use under CORSIA. The decision lets airlines buy rice-cultivation credits for the 2024–2026 compliance period, expanding international demand for Indian and global rice projects using alternate wetting and drying.

The International Civil Aviation Organization approved Verra's revised methodology for reduced methane emissions from rice cultivation, known as VM0042, for use under the CORSIA framework following review by the Technical Advisory Body of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation. The approval allows airline operators to purchase credits from sustainable rice projects to meet offsetting requirements during the 2024–2026 compliance period. Verra strengthened the methodology with more rigorous monitoring and reporting protocols addressing historical concerns about the permanence and additionality of agricultural methane reduction.

The approval applies to project developers globally who use sustainable water-management techniques such as Alternate Wetting and Drying, which lowers methane output by reducing the time rice paddies stay submerged. Airline operators seeking ICAO-eligible units for CORSIA compliance are directly affected, as is the agricultural sector receiving climate finance. Indian rice cultivation, a major methane source, stands to benefit if domestic AWD projects qualify, channelling international buyer demand to smallholder farmers and incentivising adoption of climate-smart practices through the recognised Verra methodology.

Airlines should begin sourcing ICAO-eligible CORSIA units from approved rice projects to fulfil obligations in the 2024–2026 compliance period, as implementation begins immediately. Project developers and agricultural aggregators should pursue VM0042 certification, applying the upgraded monitoring and reporting protocols on permanence and additionality, and adopt Alternate Wetting and Drying to generate eligible credits. Indian rice-project sponsors and smallholder cooperatives should evaluate the broadened international buyer pool now accessible under CORSIA eligibility and align project design with the high-integrity standards required for formal recognition.

Key figure — Compliance period: 2024–2026