Forest-based Carbon Offsetting Cases Represented at the Convening
Carbon, Water and Indigenous Biodiversity (CARBIOIN)
The Integrator of Indigenous and Campesino Communities of Oaxaca (ICICO) Carbon Project, Click here to learn more!
ICICO’s Carbon, Water and Indigenous Biodiversity (CARBIOIN) Project has been running since 2000 to create social, environmental and economic benefits to its constituents. ICICO was then formed in 2012 to unite and empower the Indigenous Communities that become part of it, systemically giving them more agency over the Active Conservation initiatives of their Natural Resources. With the protection and care of Mother Earth as a guiding principle, ICICO favors the sustainable development and sovereignty of any community that joins them. Distinct from other Mexican organizations, their management model focuses on local governance being taken with full seriousness, capacity and responsibility. Some of their implemented initiatives include but are not limited to Carbon Offsetting, Improved Forest Management, Compensation and Education for Environmental Services, Biodiversity Monitoring, and Local Organizational Improvement.
The first sale of Carbon Credits in the Mexican Voluntary Carbon Market happened in 2008 by the CARBIOIN Project. Through close support with external collaborators and a strong internal foundation, CARBIOIN has come from managing 3,205.57 ha in 2008 to 42,854.36 ha of forest in 2024. Since then, over 683,551 tons of Carbon have been generated in the International Market in addition to 246,342 tons in the Mexican Market. Quickly growing in size and capacity, ICICO now groups 22 communities that build a democratic and transparent space for their trajectories to grow. Currently, the successes of CARBIOIN and ICICO in general have been great providers of social capacity, active conservation, political autonomy and quality of life for the inhabitants of the constituent communities; never steering from their mission to sustainably manage and develop their Communal Natural Resources.
Great Bear Carbon (GBC)
The Great Bear Rainforest Carbon Project (Click here to learn more!)
The Great Bear Rainforest Carbon Project is the Largest Indigenous-Owned, Forest Based Carbon Project in Canada. Operating with the larger Great Bear Business Corporation (GBBC), an Indigenous-owned alliance of seven Coastal First Nations set up in 2009, the Initiative helps protect and use the Great Bear Rainforest under the objectives of sustainable development, environmental care, self-determination and Reconciliation. Approaching land management derived Carbon Offsets across 6.4 million hectares on the northern and central mid-coast of British Columbia with a holistic view, GBC safeguards biodiversity, fosters local economic development and upholds the cultural values of Coastal Nations for generations ahead.
High-integrity carbon offsets that directly support Indigenous stewardship, conservation and sustainable economic opportunities are achieved through the protection of the ecological and cultural integrity of the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii. Grandfathered under British Columbia’s Greenhouse Gas Industrial reporting and Control Act (GGIRCA), carbon offset buyers contribute to a globally recognized conservation effort that safeguards ancient forests. With revenue from these projects turning towards vital initiatives in forestry planning, marine and biodiversity management, renewable energy, tourism, shellfish aquaculture and non-timber forest products, carbon finances are ensured to align with Haida values and long-term stewardship priorities.
The products of the initiative are described as powerful tools in the fight against climate change. With each carbon offset representing one metric ton of carbon dioxide that is successfully removed from or not released into the atmosphere. Investments in the project help reduce the impact of greenhouse emissions, supports tree preservation in one of the world’s most pristine forests, upholds community wellbeing and resilience, ensure long-term environmental health and strengthens Indigenous stewardship principles.
Cheakamus Community Forest
Cheakamus Community Forest Carbon Project (Click here to learn more!)
Within the 33,000 hectare area managed by the Cheakamus Community Forest, Greenhouse Gas Emissions are reduced through a range of techniques that store carbon on the land’s living and dead biomass; carbon that would otherwise have been released into the atmosphere under conventional forest management. Quantified with the BC Forest Carbon Offset Protocol, and verified to the BC Emissions Offset Regulation, carbon offsets are generated and sold under the principles of maintaining ecosystem condition and resiliency, providing forest sector employment and supporting the tourism and recreation-based economy of the Whistler area.
The locally managed CCF areas surrounding Whistler, BC puts a holistic ecosystem-based management plan with environmental, cultural, social and economic values at the forefront. The risks and realities of climate change guide regular updates to harvesting plans and forest uses as a form of adaptive management that puts local stakeholders at the center of the organization. Showcasing reconciliation in action, the carbon project and more management practices are situated in the unceded, traditional territories of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nation to provide them with the decision-making authority for the creation of economic opportunity.
Starting Carbon sales back in October 6, 2022, CCF has been able to incorporate offsets into their silviculture and make the Carbon Project a part of their mission. Changes in management practices and structure from conventional forest management address both climate-change adaptation and ecological resilience in the forest areas, some of which are described as:
- Setting areas aside for cultural and ecological values, including rare ecosystems, broader riparian reserves, and area of high traditional or spiritual use or value.
- Using harvest techniques (small patch cuts, selective harvest, extended harvest rotation) which are designed to mimic natural disturbance.
- Undertaking stand thinning in second growth stands to accelerate return to old forest conditions, and reduce fire risk for the forest and the community.
Chugach Forests Carbon Offsetting Project
The Chugach Alaska Corporation’s Carbon Project, Click here to learn more!
Chugach has been established for over 45 years as a family of companies that focus on enhancing the cultural identity, land care support, and social and economic development of the communities in the region for generations to come. Spanning around one million acres in southcentral Alaska, Chugach’s diversified portfolio allows for land management strategies that sustainably harnesses the region’s potential to provide for their Peoples. With services in government, facilities and energy it is the shared goal of the companies to generate meaningful local benefits and empower lasting educational and professional development. With high investments in their heritage and sustainable development, the communities that own Chugach Alaska Corporation and their shareholders envision intergenerational prosperity for 100 years into the future; something that can only be achieved through the balance of developmental opportunities and the upholding of their communal values and cultural richness. Their guiding behavior of communal empowerment happens at all levels of social structure from the field to legislation and policy; nonetheless, the essence of their growth comes from a bottom up approach guided by the Peoples Chugach seeks to support.
Among several land initiatives, Chugach forests have implemented a Carbon Offset Project since 2017. Originally meant as a way for Alaska Native Forest owners and their shareholders to benefit from California’s Cap & Trade Program back in 2014, sales of carbon credits would help maintain the land for other development, cultural and subsistence use for future timber harvests. Through years of work with the state of California to encourage Alaska’s forest stewards to participate, Chugach kickstarted its carbon project on 115,000 forest acres in 2017. Alaska’s Native Communities that form part of the Chugach Corporation have been able to sustainably manage timber harvests in the region and preserve access to the lands for recreational and cultural activities. At the same time, this combination of traditional land management with the protection of cultural activities has been able to steward their forests to offset carbon emissions and help slow the effects of climate change.