FOREST CARBON

Terra Verde is active in all major North American forest carbon markets, including both compliance and voluntary markets. We pride ourselves on exceptional landowner service and developing projects that net more money for the people who actually own the land.

We are one of the few carbon consulting firms that prefer to work on a fixed price or hourly basis instead of working on commission. This pricing transparency allows landowners to have an upfront and clear assessment of total project development costs.

Having worked with all the major carbon registries and dozens of landowners all over the west, we intimately know how deals and projects are structured.

FOREST CARBON SERVICES

Four main activities inform our process:

  • Terra Verde will optimize the cruise design for field sampling, ensuring that the statistical target specified in the protocol is met for the project area. Permanent, high-precision plots will be installed across the project area.

  • Two main components are required for the computation of carbon stocking:

    1.) Calculation of the existing forest carbon stocks

    2.) Computation of baseline carbon stocking.

    The existing carbon stocking values are computed from the collected field data and are used to estimate forest growth with the project’s proposed practices. Baseline metrics are developed by modelling regionally accepted forest management activities. These baseline values are compared to modelled growth with improved practices for the project duration. The difference between stocks in any given year produces the project’s forest carbon offset credits.

    Specific quantification tasks include:

    • Existing forest carbon stocks

    • Baseline carbon stock modeling

    • Projected stocking levels

    • Uncertainty

    • Reductions and removal enhancements

  • All projects are required to be verified through either a full field verification in the initial crediting periods, as well as at regular intervals throughout the project’s lifetime, or through a less-intensive desk audit performed in years the full verification is not necessary.


    Annual Reporting and third-party verification

    All projects are required to report annual carbon stocking growth to the carbon registry. These annual reports must be verified by a third-party verifier. Terre Verde provides an annual subscription agreement for preparing annual reporting and management of third party verifications.

  • An initial project eligibility assessment will be conducted against the requirements of the carbon registry that the project will be listed on.

    Required documentation for carbon registry listing will be developed, including:

    1. Identification of project boundaries

    2. Identification and quantification of greenhouse gases both sources and sinks

    3. Description of project actions

    4. Description of data collection, processing, and modeling

    5. Development of a monitoring plan

    6. Discussion of community and environmental impacts

    7. Proof of ownership and title

    Terre Verde will manage all interfacing with the carbon registry and verification body throughout the entire project listing process.

SCOPE OF WORK

  • Potential projects are assessed for feasibility utilizing imagery, existing forest inventory data, and professional experience to quickly and efficiently determine target project size, returns, and costs.

  • Forest Carbon Inventory field sampling is performed using optimized field data collection protocols. Samples are designed to effectively produce reliable estimates within statistical target range at an economical price.

  • Field efforts are completed in an effective manner including all logistics needed to accomplish the job. Remote access, seasonal constraints, and aggressive terrain are all factors that Terra Verde is well versed in handling. Highly accurate permanent plots are installed, of which Terra Verde has installed thousands of across the West.

  • Existing Forest Carbon Stocks are modeled using the collected field data and forest growth and yield computer models for the entire project duration, as well as baseline scenarios developed that are optimized for project performance and landowner objectives.

  • Prepare all required documentation including Greenhouse Gas Plan, Reporting Period Forms, Carbon Calculation Spreadsheets, and other associated documents.

  • Schedule and Interface with a third-party verifier for both field verifications and desk audits. Address any findings to improve the project.

  • Submit required documentation, assist in account management, and facilitate communication with Registries. Enable credit issuance.

  • Terra Verde keeps landowners informed of market conditions and can assist with connecting to credit buyers, structuring deals, and marketing credits.

  • Annual reporting, monitoring, and subsequent verifications are necessary throughout the life of a carbon project. Terra Verde provides the same level of care and detail to a project, from day one throughout the life-time of a project.

A DIVERSE ARRAY OF CARBON CREDIT SERVICES

  • Sample Design

  • Biomass Estimation

  • Volume Calculations

  • Carbon Inventory

  • Inventory Verification and Auditing

  • Certifications of Inventories

  • Data Analysis

  • Statistical Analysis

  • Growth and Yield Projections

  • Carbon Project Feasibility and Design

  • Forest Management Plans

  • Forest Carbon Valuation

  • Assistance in the Marketing and Sale of Credits

  • Annual Monitoring and Verification