Nature-Based Carbon Offset Projects: A Solution to Climate Change?

We’ve spoken a lot about the climate change crisis being the most pressing issues of our time, with rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise threatening ecosystems, economies, and communities worldwide.

Nature-based carbon offset projects, which harness the power of natural ecosystems to sequester carbon, continue to be by far the most popular and most effective both in terms of price and implementation.

What are Nature-Based Carbon Offset Projects?

Nature-based carbon offset projects are initiatives that leverage natural ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands and grasslands, to capture and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. These projects can take various forms, including

• Protecting against deforestation (REDD+)
• Creating new forests in areas that were not previously forested (afforestation) and planting trees in areas where forests have been cleared (reforestation)
• Integrating trees into agricultural systems (agroforestry)
• Rehabilitating degraded wetlands to enhance their carbon storage capacity
• Improved forest management

The project fundamentals are straight forward, they work by promoting and protecting the growth of vegetation, which absorbs carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and stores it in plant biomass and soil. In addition to mitigating climate change, nature-based projects can also provide a range of co-benefits, such as conserving biodiversity, improving water quality, and supporting local livelihoods.

Quality of Nature-Based Projects

The quality of nature-based carbon offset projects is crucial for achieving real and lasting carbon reductions. Several factors can influence project quality, including the design and implementation of the project, monitoring and verification processes, and the provision of co-benefits.

However, ensuring the quality of nature-based projects can be challenging. For example, there is a risk of leakage, where deforestation or other carbon-emitting activities simply shift to other areas. There is also a risk of impermanence, where reforested areas or restored wetlands may be degraded or destroyed in the future, releasing stored carbon back into the atmosphere.

At Fenix Carbon, we believe quality is of paramount importance to scale nature based projects. To address these challenges, we employ a multi layered approach to quality including high quality data verification from satellite earth observation and analysis through to project management and economics. Additionally it’s important to consult third-party standards, such as the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), ratings agencies, as well as insurance providers.

Pricing of Nature-Based Carbon Credits

The pricing of carbon credits from nature-based projects can vary widely, depending on factors such as project location, scale, co-benefits, and certification. Generally, nature-based carbon credits tend to be more affordable than credits from other project types, especially new technology innovations (although we’re optimistic about the future!).

However, the cost-effectiveness of nature-based carbon credits should be considered in the context of their long-term impact and the value of the co-benefits they provide. For example, a reforestation project may offer not only carbon sequestration but also habitat for wildlife, improved water quality, and opportunities for local communities to earn income from sustainable forest management.

Risks and Longevity of Nature-Based Carbon Offset Projects

The longevity of nature-based carbon offset projects is essential for achieving sustained carbon reductions over time. Factors affecting project longevity include land tenure and ownership issues, local community involvement and benefits, and the impacts of climate change itself, such as increased risk of wildfires or pests.

Strategies to enhance the longevity of nature-based projects include securing land tenure arrangements, engaging local communities and sharing benefits with them, and implementing adaptive management and monitoring to address changing conditions and challenges.

The need to scale nature based projects

Nature-based carbon offset projects have by far the most significant potential for mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon in natural ecosystems. Their effectiveness depends on the quality, pricing, and longevity of the projects. However, the scale of these projects is currently insufficient to counterbalance the vast amount of emissions produced globally. Several factors contribute to the gap between nature-based carbon offset projects and worldwide emissions. First, the number and scale of current offset projects is not large enough to absorb the massive amounts of carbon dioxide emitted annually. Second, the effectiveness of these projects can be compromised by factors such as deforestation, land-use changes, and natural disturbances like wildfires. Third, there is a requirement of much larger investment and support for nature-based solutions, to aid the expansion and implementation of these projects.