How can we differentiate between projects that genuinely support the fight against climate change and those that only claim to do so? This is a challenging question, particularly in relation to agricultural and forestry projects, where quantifying stored carbon is difficult and there is intense debate over which best practices should be encouraged. A challenging question indeed, but nevertheless one that must be answered to enable the targeting of public and private funding, and to ensure that this funding is effective for the climate and, more generally, the environment.
For many years, I4CE has been developing expertise in carbon certification for agricultural and forestry projects, expertise that has led to the adoption of the Low Carbon Label by France. The Institute continues to monitor the implementation of this scheme and ensures its development and improvement.
The EU is building its own carbon certification system, the European carbon removals certification framework. I4CE is contributing to the development of a framework that is both ambitious and pragmatic, through its active participation in several European projects that provide food for thought, and through its involvement in the expert group assisting the Commission in drafting the methodologies.
