Space Intelligence selected by Verra to deliver REDD risk maps under VM0048

Verra has selected Space Intelligence as just one of three data service providers to deliver the jurisdictional datasets that underpin the next generation of REDD+ projects.

Under this partnership we will produce jurisdictional activity data, forest cover benchmark maps and allocated deforestation risk maps under VM0048 and its associated module VMD0055 for a number of jurisdictions over a five-year period. We’re excited to begin this work with the production of data across two jurisdictions with significant forest cover and carbon sink:

• The Philippines  – allocated deforestation risk map (on existing Ad and FCBM data)
• Mato Grosso State, Brazil – the full mapping process.

VM0048 raises the bar for REDD+ integrity by replacing project-level baselines with independent, jurisdiction-wide ones. By concentrating the work with three proven DSPs, Verra’s aim is to increase efficiency of the data development process – which means project developers can plan with confidence, and offtakers get a clearer line of sight to credit supply, quality, and timing.

This announcement extends a partnership that began years ago. Space Intelligence has already produced seven of the first Forest Cover Benchmark maps for Verra (Tanzania, Republic of Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Timor Leste & Argentina) and has contributed to VM0048 since its earliest development.

A vision years in the making

“I have been working with Verra on what became VM0048 since 2020, and this new methodology achieves the vision we set out then — a modern approach building on lessons from the first generation of REDD+ methodologies, with robust and conservative baselines built by independent providers like Space Intelligence.”

“Building these country-wide forest change and risk datasets require expert teams that can process terabytes of satellite data, ecologists who can interpret high resolution satellite data to assess whether forest change has happened in a random point, and statistical and machine learning excellence. This is expertise Space Intelligence has built up over a decade of operation — and has proven across all of our work; including in the creation of seven of the first Forest Cover Benchmark maps for Verra.”

“We’re excited to expand our partnership with Verra and be one of the partners in creating these over many more countries over the coming years.”

What this means for the carbon market

VM0048 and VMD0055 raise the bar for the integrity of avoided-deforestation crediting. Independent, jurisdiction-wide baselines reduce the room for inflated claims and give project proponents a transparent, scientifically grounded foundation for setting baselines.

These risk maps are the first of many. Working closely with Verra and the other selected DSPs, we expect to extend the methodology across more jurisdictions over the coming months — broadening the pool of high-integrity REDD+ projects available to the market.

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See Verra’s full announcement for details on jurisdictions and timelines.