The Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program will facilitate farmer, rancher, and private forest landowner participation in voluntary carbon markets. The program will provide a list of qualified technical assistance providers and third-party verifiers who work with producers to generate carbon credits, enabling USDA to share trusted information and reduce market confusion. Under the program, USDA will also list widely accepted voluntary carbon credit protocols designed to ensure consistency, reliability, effectiveness, efficiency, and transparency. USDA will also establish the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program Advisory Council, as required by the GCSA. The Secretary will appoint members to represent broad stakeholder interest.
The program was authorized under the Growing Climate Solutions Act (GCSA). The GCSA was signed into law on December 29, 2022, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.
Voluntary carbon markets offer a promising tool to achieve greenhouse gas reductions from the agriculture and forest sectors and support producer livelihoods. By adopting science-based practices to reduce emissions or sequester carbon on their land, farmers, ranchers, and private landowners can access a new income stream through carbon credit sales while also combatting climate change.
Timeline
- In October 2023, USDA published A General Assessment of the Role of Agriculture and Forestry in the U.S. Carbon Markets (pdf) (Press Release, Oct. 23, 2023)
- In February 2024, USDA published the report, Intent to Establish the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program (pdf) (Press Release, Feb. 27, 2024)
- In May 2024, USDA solicited information on protocols to be evaluated for inclusion in the list to be published as part of the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program.
- In late summer 2024, USDA will establish the charter for the program’s advisory council and seek membership nominations.
- After associated rulemaking activities, USDA anticipates formally establishing the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program.
Contact
Sasha Strohm, Program Manager, Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program
Email: Sasha.Strohm@usda.gov
Supporting Documents
- Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance and Third-Party Verifier Program (7 U.S.C. § 6712)
- Federal Register Request for Information seeking public input on options for implementing the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program
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