Technical Explainer on Carbon Credits for Improved Rice Cultivation

The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) Carbon Markets Initiative (CMI) has published a detailed technical explainer on carbon credits for improved rice cultivation.

• The explainer analyzes the invalidation of nearly all rice methane avoidance credits in 2024 due to additionality concerns, and highlights the release of updated, more rigorous methodologies by Verra (2025), Gold Standard (2023), and Climate Action Reserve (2013, 2023). It details the primary and secondary rice cultivation practices eligible for crediting, quality risks (notably baseline setting, additionality, and MRV), and mitigation measures including use of site-specific methane emissions factors and digital MRV technologies.
• The report emphasizes the potential for improved rice cultivation projects to generate high-quality methane reduction credits, contributing to climate mitigation, water savings, and rural development, especially in Asia where over 90% of rice is grown by smallholder farmers. It also notes the invalidation of 4.5 million credits from 37 projects by Verra in 2024 and the transition to updated methodologies with currently limited credit issuance.