The Power of Forest Carbon: A People-Centric, High-Quality, Multi-Impact, and Collaborative Approach
Forests are not only breathtakingly beautiful but also invaluable ecosystems that play a crucial role in mitigating climate change.
Among the various mechanisms to combat greenhouse gas emissions, forest carbon projects have gained significant attention.
By harnessing the power of trees, these initiatives offer a range of benefits that go beyond mere carbon sequestration. A forest carbon approach that is people-centric, high quality, multi-impact, and collaborative forms the basis for helping to mobilise capital for forests.
This is why we created the Xilva FOREST+ Portfolio which is a specially-curated selection of forest carbon projects that especially embodies these 4 advantages:
People-Centric:
Good forest carbon projects place a strong emphasis on the well-being of local communities and indigenous populations. These initiatives empower local stakeholders by involving them in decision-making processes, ensuring their active participation, and respecting their traditional knowledge and practices. By incorporating their perspectives, forest carbon projects create a sense of ownership and foster sustainable development, leading to improved livelihoods and enhanced social resilience.
We find that projects that aim at establishing strong local community resilience and improved livelihoods are the most stable and most likely to deliver the benefits.
Hence we include only projects which are built around the local communities in the FOREST+ Portfolio.
High Quality:
The success of any carbon project lies in its ability to deliver high-quality results. Forest carbon projects focus on long-term carbon storage by promoting the restoration and conservation of forests, including the protection of old-growth trees and the establishment of sustainable forestry practices. This approach ensures that carbon sequestration is maximized, providing a robust and reliable mechanism to offset emissions. Moreover, these projects often adhere to internationally recognized standards, such as the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) or the Climate, Community, and Biodiversity Standards (CCB), Gold Standard and Pan Vivo, which guarantee the credibility and integrity of the carbon offsets generated.
In addition to selecting projects which have achieved internationally-recognised certification, Xilva also performs our own due diligence. All projects included in the FOREST+ Portfolio have gone through our proprietary screening process using Xilva GRADE methodology to ensure it delivers only high-quality forest carbon credits for our clients.
Multi-Impact:
Forest carbon initiatives offer a multitude of co-benefits that extend far beyond carbon sequestration. By preserving and restoring ecosystems, these projects safeguard biodiversity, protect watersheds, and maintain essential ecosystem services. Forests act as natural filters, improving air and water quality while providing habitats for countless plant and animal species. Moreover, forests are vital for climate regulation, reducing the risk of natural disasters like floods and landslides. By recognizing and valuing these multi-impacts, forest carbon projects create a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to environmental conservation.
Collaborative Approach:
Collaboration lies at the heart of successful forest carbon projects. These initiatives bring together diverse stakeholders, including local communities, governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. By fostering partnerships and knowledge exchange, forest carbon projects harness collective expertise and resources. Such collaboration ensures the effectiveness, scalability, and long-term viability of these initiatives. It also encourages innovation and the development of new solutions to address the complex challenges associated with climate change and forest conservation.
Xilva uses 5% of all revenues from carbon credit sales of the FOREST+ Portfolio to fund additional impact initiatives of participating projects, such as the purchase of cameras to monitor biodiversity.
Forest carbon projects offer a holistic and impactful approach to mitigating climate change. By prioritizing the well-being of local communities, delivering high-quality results, generating multiple benefits, and fostering collaboration, these initiatives become catalysts for positive change. Implementing forest carbon projects can not only help us address the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also restore and protect our precious ecosystems. As we navigate the path towards a sustainable future, let us embrace and support these people-centric, high-quality, multi-impact, and collaborative forest carbon initiatives for the benefit of present and future generations.
To support these projects in the Xilva FOREST+ Portfolio, or buy your forest carbon credits, contact us today.
