Community guidelines for accessing forestry voluntary carbon ... - FAO

Chapter 3: Getting started
in order to meet the standards of accuracy required for the
VCM. Government offices may be able to help with this, but
in some areas these services are only available through the
Take the opportunity for local capacity building
Make sure that all project partners take the opportunity to learn
new skills from these professionals. This may save on future costs
and increase local engagement and ownership of the project.
private sector.
To ensure social and environmental co-benefits through forestry VCM
projects, some studies and analyses that may call for expert input
include:
1. Determining additionality: This involves the collection of data
and information related to:
a) Alternative land-use scenarios;
b) Required investment for the project: to compare the
economic and financial profile of the proposed project
activity with and without carbon credits, and against
other identified land use scenarios;
c) Identification of existing and potential barriers that
need to be overcome in order to implement the project;
d) Assessment of prevailing land-use practices and other
relevant practices in the region.
2. Conducting Socio-Economic and Environmental Impact
Assessments (SIAs and EIAs). This may include a Participatory
Rural Appraisal (PRA) to determine the land-use and removal
of timber and non-timber products by the local communities
from the project area at the start of the project. SIAs and EIAs
may be mandatory during the project as well, both before a
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