Our first modular guide is currently being developed for mangrove blue carbon projects and will undergo expert review prior to release. Guides are free to use but do require user registration and approval by the site admin.

The Fair Carbon Project expects all project managers in inhabited landscapes to respect the rights of local stakeholders, and provides models of inclusive governance as an integral part of our framework. 

Each guide consists of five modules that reflect the real-world process of designing and realising nature-based carbon projects, and is tailored to working in a specific environment. Our guides are based on the requirements of leading carbon standards and combine new and existing tools and resources into one cohesive workflow. 

Each module is divided into four areas:

 

Land tenure, carbon rights, operating frameworks, policy considerations

 

Project structure and governance, reporting & transparency, social engagement, beyond FPIC (Free Prior and Informed Consent)

 

Project funding, operating costs, financial models, offset pricing, identifying other income streams

 

Applying an approved methodology, the technical design of project interventions, site mapping, carbon baselines

Module 1: Pre-feasibility

Provides a framework to decide if a project is feasible before committing time and funds to a viability study. Includes:

• • • • • • • • • • • Checklist for early-stage desk review
                    • High-level country readiness assessments & examples of legal operating frameworks
                    • Creating simplified financial models using default values
                    • Implementation costs to consider
                    • Examples of ethical management & inclusive governance

Module 2: Viability

How to design a full viability assessment for a specific site or location. Includes:

• • • • • • • • • • • Checklist of key datapoints required to establish project viability
                    • Field sampling - establishing a carbon baseline
                    • Participatory mapping with current user groups
                    • Revising financial models and closing the funding gap
                    • Identifying the project proponent and implementing partners

Module 3: Planning

How to produce a PIN (Project Idea Note) for submission to a carbon accreditation program. Includes:

• • • • • • • • • • • Checklist of data points required for a PIN document
                    • Understanding socio-economic conditions and project impacts
                    • Planning for alternative livelihoods and sustainable incomes
                    • Technical site mapping, zonation, elevation, hydrology, carbon baselines, and appropriate interventions
                    • Sourcing seed funding or developer deals

Module 4: Development

How to produce a PDD document for submission to a carbon accreditation program. Includes:

• • • • • • • • • • • Checklist of how to expand PIN content to meet PDD requirements
                    • Practical resources for project implementation
                    • Setting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track project progress & success
                    • Best practice for monitoring, reporting, verification (MRV)
                    • Validation and accreditation

Module 5: Ongoing Operation

How to maintain performance and integrity across the project lifespan

• • • • • • • • • • • Assessing the effectiveness of alternative livelihoods and tangible positive benefits for stakeholders
                    • Ensuring continual community engagement and support of the project 
                    • Third-party verification and credit issuance
                    • Annual reporting and transparency
                    • Planning for transition to other sustainable income at end of crediting period

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Modular guides are currently in development.

Register here for early access as content is published.