Identifying Research Priorities for the Development of High-Integrity Forest Carbon Credits
Abstract
Abstract In the United States, voluntary carbon markets have gained significant traction in recent years. However, many offset standards, protocols, and credit ratings have come under scrutiny from the public and investors for failing to produce real or sustainable carbon offsets. Additionally, communities often find themselves unprepared to advocate for forest-based carbon projects that align with their needs and interests, mainly due to a lack of information and a general distrust surrounding carbon projects. There is a pressing need to address the social, ecological, and technological barriers that hinder the development of higher-integrity carbon credits and limit crucial financing for climate change mitigation activities. This paper is the culmination of findings from a series of discussions held in 2025 by leading academics, non-profit organizations, and forestry professionals to identify key challenges, research priorities, and actionable steps to scaling voluntary forest carbon markets. The discussions focused on six priority areas including permanence; additionality; leakage; measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MMRV); market investments; and the social and ecological implications of carbon markets. By reporting on these discussions, we aim to strengthen conversations across forest carbon topics to enhance market access while simultaneously identifying needs for developing high-integrity forest carbon projects for climate change mitigation and rural communities.
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Authors: Chad Papa, Melissa M. Kreye, Evan Beresford, Sarah Widderich, William R. L. Anderegg, Ethan P. Belair, Stephanie Chizmar, Tamara Cushing, Adam Daigneault, Milagros Fernández, Christopher S. Galik, Jason Gibson, John Gunn, Barbara Haya, Daniel J. Hayes, Matthew D. Hurteau, Lilli Kaarakka, Tammy Kowalczyk, Gregory Latta, David M. McEvoy, Kimberly A. Novick, Raju Pokharel, Tatyana B. Ruseva, Brent Sohngen, Jake Stanton
Institutions: University of Florida, The Ohio State University, Michigan State University, University of Utah, University of California, Berkeley, Pennsylvania State University, Indiana University Bloomington, University of Maine, University of Idaho, North Carolina State University, University of New Mexico, The Nature Conservancy, Southern Research Station, California Polytechnic State University, Appalachian State University, Weyerhaeuser (United States)