Working to Ensure California Forest Carbon Projects Benefit All Californians

An unlikely coalition committed to improving the state’s forest offset program

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The Four Pillars of California Forest Carbon Offsets

Increasing carbon sequestration in California’s forestland

1

Forest carbon sequestration must be part of any effective climate change mitigation strategy

2

Forest offsets provide co-benefits for Californians including rural jobs, water storage and habitat for fish and wildlife

“Sustainable forest management can maintain or enhance forest carbon stocks, and can maintain forest carbon sinks, including by transferring carbon to wood products… (high confidence).”

- International Panel on Climate Change SRCCL, B5.4, 2019

“Sustainable forest management aimed at providing timber, fibre, biomass, non-timber resources and other ecosystem functions and services, can lower GHG emissions and can contribute to adaptation. (high confidence).”

- International Panel on Climate Change SRCCL, B5.4, 2019

“Achieving the 1.5°C goal also requires massive forest restoration to remove excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.”

- Climate and Land Use Alliance

“Reforestation and improving forest management together… could provide 18% of cost-effective mitigation through 2030.”

– Climate and Land Use Alliance / Griscom et al., 2017

3

Forest carbon sequestration programs, including offsets, should complement decarbonization efforts designed to reduce direct emissions of greenhouse gases and other toxic air contaminants, especially in frontline communities.

4

The rules for establishing and maintaining sequestration projects are the most rigorous adopted by any regulatory agency in North America. The Coalition supports continued improvement of these science-based rules through periodic review by the California Air Resources Board.

Member Project Spotlight

The Yurok Tribe Project

In 2011, the Yurok Tribe became one of the first participants in the California Cap and Trade program. Currently, the Tribe manages two Improved Forest Management projects across 30,000 acres of pristine forest lands.

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Policy Engagement in California

Promoting greater scientific integrity, accessibility, and effectiveness of forest carbon policy.

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Our Impact

21.6 million

Tons of CO2 reduced

855,000

Acres enrolled

Total projects

600

Jobs created

50,000

Acres of Tribal Land restored

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