US: ARB to trial alternative verification method for rice protocol

The Air Resources Board (ARB) is looking to test alternative verification methods for the rice cultivation compliance protocol, and if successful, the regulatory agency could incorporate those methods into future updates to the protocol.

The ARB, the cap-and-trade regulator, announced late Monday evening that it would fund regulatory and alternative verifications for participating pilot projects for the first two reporting period.

Applicants must submit information to the ARB by March 31.

The ARB said the objective of the pilot programme is to compare the rigour between the verification methods and whether less comprehensive methods should be incorporated into future versions of the rice cultivation compliance protocol.

Under the pilot programme, two different verification bodies would conduct audits using the two different methods. The alternative verification will only be used as an evaluation and cannot be used for the issuance of carbon offsets.

It is unclear whether the pilot programme is aimed at making changes only to the rice cultivation or if those lessons could be applied to other protocols.

Offset developers have routinely complained about the length of time it takes to get the ARB to approve offset credits. Developers have also found issues with the numerous steps in the verification and issuance process.

The ARB said last fall that it was looking at ways to streamline offset issuance in the future, but the regulatory agency did not reveal how that process could be changed. If advanced, those changes are expected to be included in amendments finalised later this year. dan.mcgraw@icis.com