Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 26, 2026

The Verified Carbon Market Collaborative (“VCM+ Collaborative,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you visit vcmcollaborative.org (the “Website”), contact us, or otherwise interact with the VCM+ Collaborative through the Website.

1. Information We Collect

Information you provide to us

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you contact us or submit information through the Website. This may include:

First and last name;
Email address;
Telephone number;
Organization or professional information, if provided;
Information contained in messages or inquiries you send us; and
Any other information you choose to provide.

Please do not submit sensitive personal information through the Website.

Information collected automatically

When you visit the Website, certain information may be collected automatically through the Website and the technologies used to operate it. This may include, but is not limited to:

Internet Protocol (IP) address;
Browser and device information;
Operating system;
Pages visited and interactions with the Website;
Referring website or source;
Approximate geographic location derived from an IP address; and
Date, time, and duration of visits.

The Website is built and hosted using Wix, a third-party website platform. Wix may collect and process certain information about Website visitors in connection with providing hosting, security, analytics, and other website functionality. Wix's handling of information is also subject to its applicable privacy practices.

2. How We Use Information

We may use information collected through the Website to:

Respond to questions, requests, and other communications;
Provide information about the VCM+ Collaborative and its activities, events, programs, and initiatives;
Manage relationships with stakeholders and other interested parties;
Operate, maintain, secure, and improve the Website;
Understand how visitors use the Website and evaluate its effectiveness;
Prevent fraud, misuse, security incidents, or other harmful activity;
Comply with applicable laws and legal obligations; and
Protect our rights and the rights of others.

We may also use information for other purposes that we disclose when the information is collected or with your consent.

3. Cookies and Similar Technologies

The Website may use cookies and similar technologies, including technologies provided through Wix, to operate and secure the Website, remember visitor preferences, understand Website usage, and improve the visitor experience.

Some cookies may be necessary for the Website to function properly, while others may support analytics or other optional features.

Where required by applicable law, visitors will be provided with choices regarding non-essential cookies. You may also be able to control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect Website functionality.

4. How We Share Information

We may share personal information with service providers and other organizations that help operate and support the VCM+ Collaborative and the Website.

The Website is built and hosted using Wix. Wix may process information on our behalf in connection with website hosting, security, functionality, analytics, and related services.

Browning Environmental Communications assists the VCM+ Collaborative with updating, maintaining, and managing the Website and may have access to information submitted through the Website when necessary to provide those services.

We may also use other service providers for functions such as communications, analytics, event administration, and technical support. These providers may process personal information as necessary to perform services on our behalf.

We may also disclose information when reasonably necessary to:

Comply with applicable law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request;
Protect the rights, property, security, or safety of the VCM+ Collaborative, Website visitors, or others;
Investigate or prevent fraud, security incidents, or misuse; or
Facilitate an organizational restructuring, transfer, or similar transaction involving responsibility for the VCM+ Collaborative.

We do not sell personal information for monetary consideration.

5. Third-Party Websites and Services

The Website may contain links to websites, social media platforms, or services operated by third parties. Those third parties have their own privacy practices and policies, and this Privacy Policy does not govern their independent collection or use of personal information.

The Website also relies on third-party service providers, including Wix, to provide website infrastructure and functionality. We encourage you to review the privacy information provided by third-party services when appropriate.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including to respond to inquiries, maintain appropriate records, fulfill operational needs, resolve disputes, and comply with legal obligations.

Retention periods may vary depending on the nature of the information and the purpose for which it was collected.

7. Data Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.

However, no method of transmitting information over the Internet or storing information electronically is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. International Visitors

The VCM+ Collaborative engages with stakeholders internationally. As a result, information submitted through the Website may be processed in countries other than the country in which you are located.

9. Links to Other Sites

If you use a link on our website which takes you to another website, you will need to check that website’s own Privacy Policy to understand how it may process your data as we do not have any control over that other website.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes to the Website, our practices, or applicable legal requirements.

When we make changes, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this Privacy Policy. We encourage visitors to review this page periodically.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or would like to exercise applicable privacy rights, please contact:

Verified Carbon Market Collaborative
Email: info@vcmcoalition.org

For media inquiries: vcm@browningenvironmental.com