Please join the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center on Wednesday, July 24 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET for a discussion on why jurisdictional approaches are the way forward for forest carbon credit trading, the role that jurisdictional programs play in forest credit trading, and how to establish such programs effectively. 

There is a growing consensus that there will be a rapid increase in forest-based carbon credit trading and that if done right, these credits would incentivize forest protection, decrease deforestation, and could lead to significant amounts of carbon sequestration. To date, these credits have been generated on a project-by-project basis, but this approach has been subject to extensive criticism, and it is questionable if these benefits would be achieved from project-based forest credit programs. In a recent Atlantic Council issue brief, The flaws in project-based carbon credit trading and the need for jurisdictional alternatives, the authors argue that a jurisdictional approach to generating credits would fix many of the flaws in a project-based approach and would increase the efficacy, integrity, and scale of efforts to conserve tropical forests using carbon credit trading.  

During this event, experts will discuss how to transition from project to jurisdictional based forest credits, what impact this would have on forest sequestration efforts, how this would increase the integrity of forest credit programs, and how best to structure jurisdictional agreements. Experts will consider how effective forest conservation systems can help ensure the longevity, integrity, and reliability of nature-based projects.  

This conversation will take place in person at Atlantic Council headquarters and will be broadcast on YouTube, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn. To receive the event information, please register using the form on this page.

Opening remarks

George Frampton, Distinguished Senior Fellow and Director of the Transatlantic Climate Policy Project, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center 

Presentation

Byron Swift, Senior Advisor to Wildlands, Re:wild

Panel discussion

Edwina McKechnie, Executive Vice President Corporate Engagement, Emergent and the LEAF Coalition

Jessica Orrego, Director, Natural Climate Solutions, Mercuria Energy Trading

Julia Paltseva, Senior Manager, Technical Engagement, Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART)

Byron Swift, Senior Advisor to Wildlands, Re:wild

Moderated by

Ken Berlin, Senior Fellow and Director of “Financing and Achieving Cost Competitive Climate Solutions, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center 

READ REPORT

Issue Brief

Apr 23, 2024

The flaws in project-based carbon credit trading and the need for jurisdictional alternatives

By Byron Swift, Ken Berlin, George Frampton, and Frank Willey

This issue brief highlights several significant, and at times unresolvable, problems with the project-based approach to carbon credit trading, the purpose of which is to reduce deforestation and sequester carbon.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

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