News: Global Tree C-Sink - Pre-Release and public consultation

Good day ,

With Global Tree C-Sink we publish today a groundbreaking guideline for certifying carbon sequestration in tree plantations. This robust and reliable framework is designed for global application, setting a new benchmark in carbon certification.

We eagerly anticipate the rollout of our Global Tree C-Sink Standard. This marks a significant milestone, aligning with our original vision at Carbon Standards' inception.

We are looking forward to our Global Tree C-Sink Standard. It is an important step that we had already planned when the Carbon Standards was founded and are now putting into practice.

Ueli Steiner
Carbon Standards International AG

When dozens of tree standards are already in place, why would we write a new one? Well, check the following points that distinguish our Global Tree C-Sink standard from all others:

• Single Tree Tracking: The standard accounts for CO2 that each tree removes from the atmosphere annually. We only certify carbon that was measured and, thus, really mitigates climate change.
• Carbon Registry: The annual amount of carbon stored in each tree and forest is registered in a Global Carbon Register providing transparency and allows for tracking progress over time.
• Register Today’s Action not Future Promises: We measure, certify, and register the annual climate action of trees and forests. We do not certify promises of future growth or happiness.
• Monitoring Growth with annual on-site inspection: Monitoring the location and growth of each tree ensures that the trees are thriving and contributing to the environment as certified.
• Annual Tree Health Checks: Regular checks to confirm that each tree is healthy, still standing, and growing are vital for maintaining the integrity of the climate effects.
• Promoting Mixed Forests: To prevent the development of monocultures, only mixed forests with controlled enhancement of biodiversity can be certified ensuring forests.
• Preservation of Native Tree Species: A fixed rate of native tree species must be integrated into the plantations.
• Prohibition of Clear-Cutting: The standard explicitly prohibits clear-cutting practices to ensure sustainable forest management and preservation of ecosystems.

Global Tree C-Sink

The Global Tree C-Sink standard demonstrates a comprehensive approach to sustainable forestry and climate change mitigation. This holistic approach not only addresses the environmental aspects but also ensures the maintenance of biodiversity and ecological balance, making it a promising option for those seeking an effective and trustworthy tree standard.

Guest commentary from the Ithaka Institute

Martin Luther, when questioned about what he would do on the eve of the world's end, famously stated he would plant an apple tree. And we, at the Ithaka Institute, had the audacity of drafting a global standard for reforestation, forest gardens, and urban trees that very evening. This endeavor marked the most formidable challenge in our institute's history leveraging the extensive field experience and practical knowledge gained from our work across four continents.
Trees, much like elephants, are perturbed by the incessant bother of flies and humans alike. They are aware that coexisting with a variety of other species enhances their survival prospects. It's rare for trees to turn hostile, except in cases where overcrowding of a single species in a limited area occurs which lead to widespread fires and smoke.
While numerous tree standards and certifications exist, the Global Tree Cooling is the first that calculates the growth of each individual tree as a climate service. However, the certificate is only granted if the forest ecosystem is vibrant enough to host singing birds and where a roaming tiger may silence the monkeys for a moment.

Hans-Peter Schmidt
Ithaka Institute for Carbon Strategies

Public consultation

The public consultation on the standard will last until 20. December 2023. The standard version 1.0 will then be published on 20. January 2024. We are currently implementing the first pilot projects with innovative project partners. We look forward to successfully implementing further projects with you from January 2024.

Carbon Standards International AG

Ueli Steiner
Managing Director
+41 (0) 62 552 10 92

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