ANNOUNCEMENTS
An exhaustive comparative study of carbon registries in India focusing mainly on the two globally recognized standards, Verra's VCS and the Gold Standard, has been conducted herein. The evaluation of the workings of carbon registries inside India's socio-economic and regulatory landscape with particular reference to the upcoming Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) under the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022, has been undertaken in this study. It discusses the methodologies, additionality, permanence, and monitoring mechanisms, co-benefits, and stakeholder engagement practices under both registries. The report also undertakes project case studies from India and abroad, notably the Creduce Digital Registry Model and the Northern Kenya Rangelands Project, to highlight operational lessons on challenges to community engagement and legitimacy of carbon credits. An in-depth study of AFOLU-based projects—Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR), Biochar, and Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW)—is done with respect to the two registries to assess credit generation, quality, and bankability. Recommendations include a hybrid registry with Verra's scalability and Gold Standard SDG co-benefits with aggressive marketing.
