The CarbonFix Standard, a German-based carbon project verification protocol, has launched the third version of its standards for afforestation and reforestation activities.

Such standards offer independent auditing of activities to reduce carbon emissions or remove carbon from the atmosphere. These standards offer credibility to VER carbon credits generated for sale in the voluntary carbon market which had mushroomed to $700 million worldwide in 2008.

CarbonFix v3.0 offers more flexibility to project developers in how and when carbon credits are generated and streamlines processes for those seeking dual certification with other land-use standards.

Earlier versions of the standard emphasised ex-ante crediting; that is, allowing credits to be generated in advance of the carbon storage in trees being realised. This allows to project developers to forward sell their carbon credit and gain upfront revenue needed in many cases to finance such projects in their early years.

Version 3.0 now formally offers ex-post crediting as well, sometimes more attractive to carbon credit buyers who want to know they are paying for emissions reductions that have already taken place.

The new version also formalises the recognition of the certification schemes of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Climate Community and Biodiversity (CCB) Standard. This allows developers wanting to maximise the verification of social and environmental benefits to avoid duplicating project validation costs across multiple standards.

CarbonFix says its standard also now states its criteria more clearly, offers an easier application process and better opportunities for online presentation of projects to prospective carbon buyers.

The CarbonFix release comes a week before the release of the finalised Climate Action Reserve (CAR) standard by the California Climate Action Registry. The CAR standard has evolved from a state-based protocol to a nationally and internationally applicable standard recognised under Congress’s emerging US cap and trade scheme.

Related links:
Full review: CarbonFix Standard
Overview: Forest carbon standards in the voluntary market
ALL Forest carbon project standards