Verra has launched a cutting-edge methodology that enables the early retirement of coal-fired power plants and supports their replacement with new renewable energy. This paves the way for the clean generation of high-integrity transition credits, while ensuring that this transition is just, delivering social and economic support to affected workers and communities.
Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) methodology VM0052 Accelerated Retirement of Coal-Fired Power Plants Using a Just Transition quantifies the climate benefits of early coal retirement by comparing actual emissions to what a plant would have emitted over its expected lifetime. To ensure emission reductions, projects must pair the retired coal capacity with new renewable energy (i.e., energy newly added to the grid because of the coal plant’s early retirement, and that is not existing or already operational).
Developed by the Coal to Clean Credit Initiative (CCCI), supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, the methodology represents a major milestone in Verra’s mission to drive transformative, scalable climate solutions and mobilize carbon finance at scale.
“To meet global climate goals, we need to do more than slow emissions—we need to rethink the very systems that produce them. Our new methodology empowers energy providers to make that shift in a way that doesn’t leave workers or communities behind and doesn’t inadvertently exacerbate energy poverty.”
Mandy Rambharos, CEO, Verra
This methodology is, therefore, built around the principles of a just transition, supporting workers and communities affected by early coal plant closures by putting clear protections in place: from local job creation to energy access and essential social safeguards.
“With this launch, Verra is raising the bar for how carbon finance can drive real climate action while putting people and equity at the center of the energy transition.”
Mandy Rambharos, CEO, Verra
