Do forest‑based climate protection projects make sense?
Forests are among the largest carbon reservoirs; over 50% of their dry biomass consists of pure carbon. As trees grow, they absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere and, with the help of sunlight, store the carbon in their biomass. Every planted and preserved tree contributes to climate protection. In temperate zones, 800 to 1,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents are stored in one hectare of forest.
Monetising the forest’s CO₂ sink provides forest owners with an additional source of income alongside timber sales. At the same time, forests deliver valuable ecosystem services that are financially rewarded. The methodology is based on ISO 14064‑2, certified by TÜV Nord, and ready for immediate application.
The forest as a carbon reservoir
The 2015 Paris Climate Agreement (Article 5) requires that forest carbon stocks be maintained and increased. Maintaining or increasing a defined stock level can be represented as a climate protection project. For managed forests, model assumptions exist for desired stock levels. Within defined boundaries, forest owners can manage their timber stock without compromising the multifunctionality of the forest.
For example: A forest owner with a stock of 400 m³/ha could reduce it to 350 m³/ha and sell the timber. Alternatively, they may maintain the stock and use only the increment, or increase the stock to 450 m³/ha by reducing harvest levels. In forest reserves, harvesting is completely suspended, and the stock approaches that of natural forests.
Core principle of the methodology: A baseline scenario is compared with a project scenario:
- How does the timber stock develop without the project?
- How does the timber stock develop with the project?
→ The difference can be credited.
What makes our projects different?
The SILVACONSULT® Forest Carbon Standard is a standard for developing forest‑based climate protection projects in accordance with ISO 14064‑2. These projects do not focus on preventing deforestation or forest degradation, but on using the professional and legal framework for timber stock management in existing forests.
Following ISO principles, projects are calculated conservatively, ensuring that climate benefits are never overstated. We emphasise that our projects demonstrate additionality regarding timber stock, thereby excluding greenwashing. If a project falls below the mandatory stock level, it can be replenished within the project framework.
Additionally, 10% of all certificates are placed in a risk buffer, serving as mutual insurance among projects. These precautionary measures make our forest climate projects robust and trustworthy.
The generated certificates can be sold on the voluntary carbon market. Due to the shift away from “exotic” climate projects toward regional ones, demand for such certificates is high.
Forest climate protection projects under the SILVACONSULT® Forest Carbon Standard
This standard, developed by SILVACONSULT AG (Switzerland) and certified by TÜV Nord, applies to temperate regions. These projects focus on timber stock management in existing forests. A baseline scenario is compared with a project scenario: How does the timber stock develop without the project, and how does it develop with the project? The difference can be credited.
By choosing to participate, forest owners commit to increasing their timber stock or refraining from reducing it. Both the methodology and each individual project are reviewed by an independent certifier (TÜV Nord).
Project workflow
Calculation, documentation, administration, certification – we handle the entire process for you!
- Initial contact
- Detailed information
- Preliminary assessment by TNL‑Umwelt, including feasibility study, revenue and cost estimation
- Project development
- Validation and verification
- Marketing and sales
Info & Contact
Carsten Thiel, Forest Expert, TNL‑Umwelt
Email:
Phone: 06404 – 80396 ‑ 31
Interview at the KWF Conference 2024 with Dr. Hubertus Schmidtke, Methodology Developer
Dr. Hubertus Schmidtke, Senior Forest Consultant/Expert at Tree.ly and developer of the SILVACONSULT® Forest Carbon Standard, discusses the standard for developing forest climate protection projects in accordance with ISO 14064‑2 with Carsten Thiel (TNL). Here is the interview.
By connecting our combined expertise, we offer our clients the best and most reliable platform for their climate protection projects.
TNL-Umwelt
More than 30 years of experience
in environmental planning & land management.