The Global Carbon Council (GCC) has opened a public consultation on its latest proposed methodology, GCCNMT007: Methodology for Reduction of Methane Emission through Adjusted Water Management Practice in Rice Cultivation, inviting stakeholders to provide inputs and feedback.
This new methodology expands GCC’s portfolio in the agriculture sector and aims to support high-integrity emission reductions by addressing one of the most significant sources of methane emissions globally—rice cultivation.
About Methodology
Rice cultivation under continuously flooded conditions creates anaerobic soil environments, leading to substantial methane (CH₄) emissions. GCCNMT007 introduces a structured framework for projects that reduce these emissions through improved water management practices.
The methodology applies to project activities that transition rice cultivation practices from continuous flooding to more sustainable approaches, including:
- Intermittent flooding and shortened flooding periods.
- Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD).
- Aerobic rice cultivation methods.
- Transition from transplanted rice to direct-seeded rice (DSR).
These measures reduce methane generation by limiting anaerobic decomposition in rice fields while maintaining productivity under controlled irrigation systems.
Scope and Applicability
The methodology is applicable to irrigated rice field equipped with controlled irrigation and drainage infrastructure, ensuring that water regimes can be effectively managed throughout the cultivation cycle.
The methodology excludes systems such as upland, rainfed, deep-water rice cultivation or non-irrigated low land where water regimes cannot be reliably controlled.
In addition, project activities must ensure:
- No material decreases in rice yield due to implementation.
- No unintended changes in cropping intensity or cultivation cycles.
- Compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements.
- No adverse impacts on soil organic carbon levels.
These conditions reinforce GCC’s commitment to environmental integrity and sustainable development outcomes.
Robust Baseline and Monitoring Framework
A key feature of GCCNMT007 is its emphasis on rigorous baseline determination and monitoring.
The baseline scenario reflects historical cultivation practices and must be established using at least three years of field-level data, supported by farmer records, consultations, or verifiable proxy data. This ensures that emission reductions are measured against a credible and conservative reference point.
Project areas are required to be stratified based on cultivation patterns and biophysical conditions, allowing for more accurate emission estimation across similar field groupings.
Emission Reduction Quantification
The methodology provides two approaches for quantifying emission reductions:
- Reference Field Approach:
Direct measurement of methane emissions using field-based monitoring techniques, including closed chamber methods, across baseline and project conditions. - Simplified Approach:
Use of IPCC Tier 1 default emission factors and scaling parameters, applicable for smaller-scale projects with lower emission reduction volumes. The estimation of ex-post emission reduction using simplified approach is allowed to project activity with aggregated emission reductions below 60 ktCO2e/year.
In addition to methane (CH₄), the methodology accounts for nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions where fertiliser use increases and CO₂ emissions from land preparation were significant, ensuring comprehensive greenhouse gas accounting.
Ensuring Integrity and Transparency
GCCNMT007 incorporates multiple safeguards to ensure high integrity:
- Conservative baseline setting and uncertainty deductions.
- Prevention of double counting through clear project boundary demarcation.
- Mandatory training and technical support for participating farmers.
- Alignment with IPCC guidelines and internationally recognized methodologies.
Call for Stakeholder Feedback
GCC invites stakeholders, including project developers, agricultural experts, policymakers, and carbon market participants, to review the proposed methodology and provide their feedback during the consultation period.
Inputs received will play a critical role in refining the methodology and ensuring it reflects practical implementation realities while maintaining the highest standards of environmental integrity.
How to Participate in the Public Consultation
📅 Public consultation period:
🗓 Deadline to comment: 7th May 2026
✉️ Submit comments to: operations@globalcarboncouncil.com
All submissions will be reviewed by GCC’s Regulatory Committees as part of the finalization process.
