Table of VCA Examples | Help Center for the BEE

Table 5 in the Certification Standard provides the definitive list of eligible VCA investments. The following table is a supplement to the Certification Standard. It offers additional detail to support the Climate Transition Budgeting process.

Category	Examples
Materials and Manufacturing
Low-carbon material purchases > Purchase of low-carbon input alternatives	- Recycled, bio-based, organic or regenerative materials, ingredients, or product/packaging inputs *with documented lower embodied carbon emissions* - Biochar for regenerative farming practices - Purchase of feed or other additives to reduce emissions from agriculture
Low-carbon input switching > Equipment to support integration of new technologies, materials, products, or processes	- Cost to retrofit or upgrade existing manufacturing equipment, such as food processing equipment, textile looms, product assembly tools, precision farming equipment, etc.
GHG capture equipment	- Onsite equipment to capture CO2
Energy Procurement and Production
Low-carbon electricity > PPAs/VPPAs bundled with RECs/EACs
> Voluntary green tariffs	- Utility 100% green power purchasing programs
Clean energy generation > Solar panels, wind turbines, etc.	- Investment in installation of solar panels on a supplier’s rooftop
Fuel switching > Cost to directly transition suppliers to cleaner fuel	- Early retirement of a supplier’s inefficient coal furnace and replacement with a more efficient propane furnace
Efficiency and Electrification
Energy efficiency > Lighting, HVAC, other building efficiency > Manufacturing process efficiency	- Cost to early-retire and replace an old rooftop air conditioning unit
Efficient logistics > Premiums paid for low carbon shipping
Electrification > Installation of heat pumps > Installation of clean cooking equipment > Conversion to EV fleets > Charging stations / EVSE

Some VCA projects may reduce emissions but do not require direct investment. Companies should consider and prioritize these projects within Reduction Action Plans, and a limited amount of spending for internal or external capacity building to implement these projects may be allowed under the Other Contributions category. But these types of projects may not count as a VCA investment since they do not require capital outlays.

For example:

Project Type	Description
Emissions elimination	Reduction in fuel consumption due to operational changes
Product redesign	Reduction in input/material use through improved product design
Recommerce	Emission reductions from displacing new products/materials
Reduced air travel	Emissions reduced by flying less
Reduced air freight	Emissions reduced by shipping fewer products by air
Operational efficiency	Emissions reduced through improved processes or scheduling
Behavioral changes	Emissions reduced through no-cost changes in business practices by employees or customers