Carbon Credits

Extensive scientific research has demonstrated that well managed and productive forests help to mitigate the effects of climate change by storing carbon in trees, plants and soil. Large landowners have begun to capitalize on the need to sequester carbon by selling carbon credits. These credits are purchased by emitters of carbon dioxide to offset their net impact on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. The number of credits a landowner can sell is dependent on ownership size, forest type and management regime, among other factors. Credits are calculated by developing an intensive inventory which uses precise measurements coupled with peer-reviewed research to determine the amount of carbon which is sequestered on a parcel of land. Opportunities for landowners to participate in carbon credit programs is continuously evolving. We can help you identify which options may fit your property.    

Which carbon credit program is best for you?

Please answer the following questions so we can determine how best to help you.

Improved Forest Management

Stand-alone Improved Forest Management Carbon Projects are available to forest landowners with enough acreage and carbon stocks on their land. There are two main carbon project types within this topic: compliance projects and voluntary projects. Compliance projects fall under the cap and trade realm, where companies located in certain states are mandated to meet emission standards. When these companies go over their emission standards, they then need to buy carbon credits generated by forest carbon projects. Voluntary projects are similar in the way of companies buying carbon credits to offset emissions, but in this scenario they are seeking to meet their own company’s emission standards.

Currently, compliance projects are run through the California Air Resources Board. There are a variety of voluntary carbon project registries, with links to their websites listed below. Compliance and voluntary registries are different in what is directing companies to purchase carbon credits, and each registry has slightly different set of protocols. These protocols cause differences in what is measured on the ground, but more critically for a landowner these protocols differ in standards needed to be met, timeline of the project, and sustainability requirements. Green Timber is here to help and advise on which project type best suits a landowner, continuing to put the landowner’s best interests first.

Resources:

Project Development 

Carbon project development and verification is a very intensive process and selecting an experienced team of professionals is crucial to the success of a carbon project. Green Timber Consulting Foresters collaborate with other carbon project experts to ensure optimal results for the long life of their projects.

Learn more about project feasibility 

Project Support 

Not only does Green Timber have the expertise to advise you on the variety of carbon projects and the unprecedented success in conducting carbon inventories, we also remain committed through the final steps of the project and beyond. Once a carbon project is inventoried, it needs to go through third party verification – a very stringent audit occurrence which is required to show an inventory meets statistical standards.

Green Timber provides support through the verification process, ensuring an overall reduction in cost and avoidance of setbacks in getting carbon credits to market. Following project verification and the sale of the credits, Green Timber conducts annual maintenance to ensure the project remains in compliance. Through this entire process, Green Timber is devoted to training and educating landowners on how to remain in compliance with their operations and management practices.

Caring for the Land

We are assisting the Indian Land Tenure Foundation in their efforts of helping American Indian nations to overcome, adapt, and improvise. An example of this is in generating revenue from the land by creating a forest carbon project on the land of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. By first inventorying the land, plans for the future and optimized solutions for sustainable forest management will be derived.

Family Forest Carbon Program

Where Offered 

Current project areas include the Center Appalachians (MD, PA, WV), Northeast (MA, NY, VT), and Midwest (MI, WI, MN).  Expected expansion within these areas, and likely other eastern US forested areas.

Acreage Limits

Minimum of 30 project acres, no maximum.

Forest Cover Requirements 

Requirements vary region to region.  Generally requires Medium to well stocked Hardwood dominated Forests (Maple, Birch, Beech). Midwest region can also accept aspen/birch dominated forests.

Harvesting Restrictions 

Harvesting allowed across most of the regions and program options.  Required harvesting guidelines are implemented.

Personal Firewood Allowance? 

Yes, amount depends on acreage

Partial Land Enrollment

Yes 

Does the program allow enrollment for landowners that previously enrolled in another carbon credit or harvest deferral program? 

No for enrolling in past carbon credit programs, they are working on methodology to accept lands previously enrolled in NCX's 1 year harvest deferral program.

Is a management plan required? Is there financial assistance available to help with a Management plan?

Yes, forest management plan is required. Yes they provide assistance in the preparation of a management plan.

Is Sustainable Certification Required? FCS or SFI? 

They are not required. 

Payment Rates

Midwest: $150/acre over 20 year contract period for aspen, $200/acre over 20 year contract period for Hardwood.  Center Appalachians: $160-295/acre over 20 year contract period.  Northeast: $200/acre over 20 year contract period for harvesting allowed enrollment, $300/acre over 20 year contract period for harvesting restricted enrollment. 

Opportunities for payment rate increases over enrollment period?

No. 

Contract length? 

20 years. 

Enrollment remains if land sold?

Yes, enrollment is tied to the land

Removal Fee?

Yes, includes repayment of 115% of all received payments while enrolled + interest.

Resources:

  • Family Forest Carbon 
  • Review our Comparison Chart 
  • Disclaimer: State property tax programs for forestlands vary from state to state and program to program. Compatibility between forest tax programs and these carbon programs is often assessed on a case by case basis. Generally, tax programs that require active harvesting will not be compatible with carbon programs that restrict harvesting.

forest carbon works

Where Offered 

Lower 48 of the United States  and parts of southeast Alaska. 

Acreage Limits

Minimum of 40 acres, no maximum.

Forest Cover Requirements 

Must be native and naturally occurring forest. Some native tree plantations can be accepted. Non-native plantations are generally not accepted.

Harvesting Restrictions 

Some harvesting is allowed - 10% of total ownership stocking over the course of the payment period (first 25 years). Harvesting of the growth only is allowed during the monitoring period (35 or 100 years following payment period).

Personal Firewood Allowance? 

Yes, amount depends on acreage

Partial Land Enrollment

No, requirements in place to enroll all ownership forestland.

Does the program allow enrollment for landowners that previously enrolled in another carbon credit or harvest deferral program? 

No for enrolling in past carbon credit programs, they can accept lands previously enrolled in NCX's 1 year harvest deferral program.

Is a management plan required? Is there financial assistance available to help with a Management plan?

No, management plan is not required in most instances. 

Is Sustainable Certification Required? FCS or SFI? 

Not Required, FSC certification is provided with enrollment.

Payment Rates

Payment options vary depending on starting assessment. Minimum of $200/acre for eligible forests over the 25 year payment period. Forests with higher starting carbon stocks or better growth rates likely to be offered higher payment rates.  Percent market sharing options exist to take advantage of positive carbon markets, but then are subject to market fluctuations.

Opportunities for payment rate increases over enrollment period?

Yes, contract re-assessed every 5 years, in addition to options related to flat rate or % market share.

Contract length? 

Contract length can vary depending on landowner desire. Minimum 60 years and maximum of 150 years. There is generally higher payment rates for longer commitment. 

Enrollment remains if land sold?

Yes, enrollment is tied to the land

Removal Fee?

Yes, includes repayment of all received payments + additional fees

Resources:

  • Forest Carbon Works 
  • Review our Comparison Chart 
  • Disclaimer: State property tax programs for forestlands vary from state to state and program to program. Compatibility between forest tax programs and these carbon programs is often assessed on a case by case basis. Generally, tax programs that require active harvesting will not be compatible with carbon programs that restrict harvesting.

CORE carbon

Where Offered 

None, hoping to launch soon, most recent feedback stated launching in the southeast US mid 2023, northeast US over winter 2023-2024, and midwest mid-2024.

Acreage Limits

Minimum of 40 acres, maximum 5,000 acres.

Forest Cover Requirements 

Must be native and naturally occuring forest.  Some native tree plantations can be accepted. Non-native plantations are generally not accepted.

Harvesting Restrictions 

No commercial harvesting allowed during first 20 year crediting period, minor forest health maintenence or development site clearing may be possible. Optional harvesting of growth possible in second 20-year contract period.

Personal Firewood Allowance? 

Yes, amount depends on acreage

Partial Land Enrollment

Yes, but added requirements when harvesting on unenrolled lands.

Does the program allow enrollment for landowners that previously enrolled in another carbon credit or harvest deferral program? 

No for enrolling in past carbon credit programs, they can likely accept lands previously enrolled in NCX's 1 year harvest deferral program if never sold any harvest deferral credits.

Is a management plan required? Is there financial assistance available to help with a Management plan?

No, management plan is not required. 

Is Sustainable Certification Required? FCS or SFI? 

Not required, but could assist when harvesting on unenrolled lands.

Payment Rates

Estimated $20-40 per acre per year. This price estimate is based heavily on data from the Southeast US region. Exact payment details will likely vary overtime depending on buyer contracts that are offered or available over time.

Opportunities for payment rate increases over enrollment period?

Payments based on Carbon Credit market, and on contract offers from buyers.  

Contract length? 

Two, 20-year contract periods for a 40 year total. 

Enrollment remains if land sold?

Yes, enrollment is tied to the land

Removal Fee?

Yes, includes repayment of all received payments + additional fees

Resources:

  • Core Carbon
  • Review our Comparison Chart 
  • Disclaimer: State property tax programs for forestlands vary from state to state and program to program. Compatibility between forest tax programs and these carbon programs is often assessed on a case by case basis. Generally, tax programs that require active harvesting will not be compatible with carbon programs that restrict harvesting.