Eligibility Criteria

This section outlines the overall requirements for Projects.

1. Project Scope
   1. The Methodology applies no restrictions regarding Project size; no minimum or maximum land area or net GHG removal capacity is required. 
   2. The Project must be situated in inland forest landscapes between latitudes 51.6° N and 51.6° S. This is due to limitations with the models used for AGB quantification of woody biomass. 
   3. The Project may be located on any type of degraded land that shall be restored as inland forest. 
   4. The Project must be restored to one of the following biomes according to the IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology: ‘Tropical-subtropical forests’ (T1), ‘Temperate-boreal forests’ (T2), ‘Trophic savannas’ (T4.1), ‘Pyric tussock savannas’ (T4.2), ‘Hummock savannas’ (T4.3) or ‘Temperate woodlands’ (T4.4).

💡 Future methodologies will cover other ecosystem categories.

2. Project Design

The Project must be designed to:

1. Restore previously degraded terrestrial forests and their ecosystem services according to the function, structure and composition of a Reference Ecosystem. 
2. Increase available habitat capacity and maximise landscape connectivity to benefit biodiversity at both local and landscape levels.
3. Foster sustainable livelihoods by maximising the integration of benefits to local communities, ensuring their active participation and engagement.