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

Community guidelines for accessing forestry voluntary carbon markets
up-front resources are available, are essential parts of a project
feasibility assessment. A credible business plan can be created only
on the basis of such a financial assessment. The plan should convince
potential investors that a potential forestry VCM project is worth taking
a financial risk.
To conduct the financial assessment and develop the business plan,
project developers will need expert financial advice from people who
understand their situation. Some banks provide such services, but
local organizations, particularly microcredit schemes, are more likely to
consider your interests ahead of their business interests. However, the
novelty of this field means that the necessary expertise is scarce. Local
support organizations must develop the necessary skills and knowledge
themselves before they will be able to offer financial advice specifically
tailored for the forestry VCM.
There are several sources of expert financial advice available at the
international level. However, few of them are free. The following
websites provide good up-to-date information on the voluntary carbon
market, but may require subscription fees for the full service:
World Bank Carbon Finance Unit: www.wbcarbonfinance.org
An open access site with glossary of terms, and (through links to the
World Bank Institute) a knowledge exchange forum, information on
courses and capacity building events on carbon finance
Point Carbon: www.pointcarbon.com
A selection of up-to-date price information and an introduction to
carbon finance terminology are available free of charge. A subscription
provides very detailed and regular news on the carbon market and
access to courses and online training services.
Carbon Finance: www.carbon-financeonline.com
Environmental Finance: www.environmental-finance.com
Online news magazines, require subscription to access useful information
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