American Forest Foundation

AFF team members on the ground at #COP29 have had inspiring conversations with fellow corporate and climate leaders. Events like these remind us to step outside of our circles and be open to unexpected partnerships, especially when preparing for an uncertain future. AFF Environmental Markets Manager Calvin Tran shares what he learned from his discussions. “Collaboration truly is the best way to progress on climate action; no one individual or organization has all the answers, and it’s only by working together that we can make meaningful progress to ensure no one gets left behind.” #VoluntaryCarbonMarket #NaturalClimateSolutions

The voluntary carbon market is at a crossroads: carbon project developers and companies both have very specific needs that don’t always align and few avenues to take immediate action. Join us on?December 5 at 1pm ET?for a webinar on how the current way we buy and sell credits needs updating, and carbon credit auctions are a new tool to scale the VCM. We’ll explore these takeaways: - The challenges of low carbon prices and how they can push developers to be aggressive with carbon accounting. - Why companies need to share in the uncertainty, including both the upsides and downsides of carbon projects. - How credit procurement is currently accessible to only the biggest buyers. Link to sign up for "How Carbon Credit Auctions Can Scale the VCM" in the comments. #VoluntaryCarbonMarket #AFFCarbonAuction

?? From Nature Day at COP29: Why Nature Deserves More Than 3% of Climate Financing Nature and biodiversity are taking centre stage today at COP29, but we need more than a celebratory day. Nature-based solutions offer a triple win: reducing emissions, increasing resilience, and protecting biodiversity. Yet, nature receives just 3% of global climate financing while contributing at least 30% of the solutions needed to achieve the Paris Agreement goals. At COP29’s Nature Day ?? , Balkissou Buba (Global Alliance of Territorial Communities), Lina Barrera (Conservation International), Fernanda Facchini (Natura), Marina Negrisoli (Suzano), and John Verdieck (The Nature Conservancy) call for urgent action to integrate nature into climate policies, financing and business strategies. This isn’t just about addressing the climate crisis; it’s about transforming the way we view and value nature, shaping an economic system where nature and people thrive together. #WithNature #NaturePositive #ClimateAction #COP29Baku

As we reflect on our time at #COP29, we highlight the importance of collaborating between public, private, and philanthropic sectors. AFF Senior Manager of Climate Donor Relations Bethany Mueller emphasizes the impact that connecting face-to-face and sharing ideas has on the progress of the VCM. “The work to build trusted, cross-sector relationships, and to create public-private partnerships has never been more critical than it is right now. I believe we all want to be a part of the solution, but we have to be intentional in building the relationships to bring forward the financial solutions we all need.” #NaturalClimateSolutions #VoluntaryCarbonMarket

This year’s #COP29 is focusing on how we can collaborate to finance climate action. AFF is inviting private landowners into the voluntary carbon market - acting as a bridge between the corporation and the individual – and innovative partnerships like these are needed to scale carbon projects that deliver lasting impact. AFF Policy Director Maya Solomon described this partnership as a panelist for the “Baku, Belem, and Beyond: Forests” event, “We're leveraging the VCM to direct private climate finance to help landowners get a forest management plan, to talk with a forester, receive incentive payments – all to help them create a more resilient forest. We're also creating a community of landowners to learn about resilient forest management together." #VoluntaryCarbonMarket #NaturalClimateSolutions #FamilyForests

Carbon ratings Agency BeZero Carbon has rated the Family Forest Carbon Program’s improved forest management practices ‘BBBe’ – the highest of the agency’s public ratings of this project type in the United States. BeZero Carbon’s results equip world-leading organizations with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to make better climate decisions, and they have put their stamp of approval on FFCP. AFF hopes this evaluation will further establish trust with partners and landowners alike, as we continue to develop transparent, impactful programs that produce carbon credits of the highest integrity. Link to read more in the comments. #VoluntaryCarbonMarket #NaturalClimateSolutions

Attention #COP29 attendees! AFF is cohosting a Side Event – Advancing the Quality and Integrity of Forestry Climate NbS: Challenges, Innovations, and Strategies. Join us in?Blue Zone SE Room 9 on November 20th at 18:30 – 20:00?to hear from our very own EVP of Carbon Origination, Christine Cadigan, and other climate experts.

?? Wondering how the incoming Trump administration might affect the voluntary carbon market? Nathan Truitt spoke to Carbon Pulse on the ground at #COP29 about how he predicts federal support of conservation will continue, and Trump’s pro-business agenda could potentially bolster the VCM. Link to the full story in comments.

The AFF team is on the ground at #COP29 this week, learning from climate leaders, and advocating for family forests. AFF Grants Accountant, Haleigh Green, shared why it is so important to address financing issues for carbon projects. “Many of our landowners don’t have either the funds or knowledge to properly care for their forests, and grants are the doorway to give AFF capacity and the funding necessary to help them either care for their forests or educate them on how to properly manage and care for their forests while growing the Family Forest Carbon Program at a meaningful scale.” #VoluntaryCarbonMarket #ForestCarbonProjects #FamilyForests

The American Forest Foundation is committed to producing impactful forest management practices and high-quality carbon credits. This is why we are continuously working to establish integrity and ensure measurable results. Our newest white paper, “Catalyzing Forest Project Quality”, details the four key elements that we use in our project assessments: additionality, permanence, leakage, and social integrity. Read more: bit.ly/ifmwhitepaper #VoluntaryCarbonMarket #NaturalClimateSolutions #ImprovedForestManagement