Urban Forestry Carbon Offset Protocol 3.0
Protocol Overview
This urban forestry carbon offset protocol outlines the methodology for measuring the carbon offsets and documenting project co-benefits – the non-GHG related project benefits – generated from an urban tree planting project. It is designed for use by institutions interested in developing tree planting projects.
Trees sequester carbon by fixation through photosynthesis. Urban trees accumulate and store this carbon throughout the life of the trees, thus serving as a carbon sink. Trees that are healthy and properly managed improve the sequestration rate and lifetime storage of carbon. While urban forests have fewer trees per acre than rural forests, their widespread presence alone makes them an important carbon sink. Carbon sequestration within a city can be enhanced by planting new trees and maintaining the health of those trees.
In addition to storage of carbon, trees provide many other health, environmental, and economic benefits. Trees reduce air and water pollution, intercept and absorb excess stormwater, provide habitat and food for animals and pollinators, offer education and volunteer opportunities to students and community members, improve the health of citizens, and can lower utility bills by providing shade for homes when planted in correct locations.
Author
Duke Carbon Offset Initiative, Duke University
May 2020
APPROVED
Technical Reviewers
Ralph Bradburd, PhD, Professor of Economics, Williams College
Christoper Edgar, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Dept. of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota
Eric Wiseman, PhD, Associate Professor of Urban Forestry, Virginia Tech
Protocols approved for use through the Offset Network must complete a technical peer review process. The Offset Network believes in transparency and encouraging academic conversation around new offset protocols and projects. Comments and responses received during the review process can be viewed here.
review outcomes
The Offset Network welcomes comments and suggestions from the public for improving this protocol. Comments will be accepted until August 31, 2020. After this time, the Peer Review Committee and the protocol authors will review the comments and respond if deemed necessary.