This is the first in a series of releases dedicated to understanding and scaling the role of Verification and Validation Bodies (VVBs) in global carbon markets. This release will outline the role of VVBs, the state of auditing practices, and where transformation is critical. The second release will outline how this transformation is taking place and highlight some of the VVBs helping shape it. The third and subsequent releases will outline the Hedera Guardian ecosystem and key organizations' efforts to accelerate carbon markets' sustainable transformation.