Climate Action Registry Says Urban Forest Projects will Earn Offset Credits

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California Climate Action Registry has sanctioned America’s first GHG reporting protocol (PDF) on August 12. The set of rules, named Urban Forest Project Reporting Protocol (PDF), will enable entities to earn offset credits on forestry projects in urban areas.

“Trees planted in cities have a valuable role in the fight against climate change,” stated Greg McPherson of the Center for Urban Forest Research. “Urban trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and conserve energy when strategically planted to shade buildings, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions at power plants.”

It took 18 months and consultation with over 85 relevant professionals to draft this protocol, which includes eligibility guidelines, techniques for estimating emissions reductions, supervision obligations and reporting standards. Near-future plans dictate creation of the Tree Carbon Calculator that will be utilized for calculations.