Forest destruction leaves a sobering visual, showcasing our impact on the environment. The UNFCCC estimates that forestry destruction activities account for almost 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions. VCS is excited to announce the approval of two methodologies that were developed in hopes of continuing to combat this deforestation.
RIL-C Methodology
The Nature Conservancy working with TerraCarbon has developed a new reduced impact logging to reduce GHG emissions (termed RIL-C) methodology, which aims to encourage more carbon sequestration in forests. The methodology is based on a 2014 paper in Global Change Biology on the GHG emissions from commercial logging in East Kalimantan, Indonesia and accomplishes these goals by addressing a range of improved logging practices from three emissions categories: felling, skidding and hauling.
Additionally, this innovative methodology includes the first ever performance method in a VCS AFOLU methodology. Inclusion of the predetermined additionality benchmark and crediting baseline in the performance module for East and North Kalimantan, Indonesia has the potential to dramatically cut down on transaction costs while mitigating emissions through significantly simplified monitoring, reporting and verification for project developers. We look forward to additional modules developed for other regions.
The methodology and performance module are available for immediate use:
VM0035 Methodology for Improved Forest Management through Reduced Impact Logging (RIL-C)
VMD0047 Performance Module for Reduced Impact Logging in East and North Kalimantan
VCS staff as well as representatives from The Nature Conservancy will be hosting a webinar to present this recently approved methodology. Further details forthcoming.
VM0010 Methodology Revision
The VM0010 methodology quantifies GHG emission reductions generated from conserving forests that were previously logged for commercial timber. The revised methodology (now version 1.3) allows for more types of emissions sources in its accounting. In particular, emissions from the change in carbon stock due to introduction of forestry infrastructure (ie, logging roads, skidtrails and log landings) and emissions from fossil fuels of harvesting equipment are now included
The revision was developed by GFA Consulting Group working with WWF Germany and is available for immediate use:
VM0010 Methodology for Improved Forest Management: Conversion from Logged to Protected Forest