Program Overview

Objective:

Why should we care? Conversion of land from forests to rural residential is occurring at an alarming pace- within thirty years, one-third of all Sierra Nevada forestlands will have been developed. The rate of forest conversion must be slowed and eventually stopped to mitigate the long-term effects of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. The Sierra Business Council recognizes that new policy implementations would benefit the region by providing incentive to manage and restore forested properties to promote sustainable landscapes and prevent forest conversion.

By reducing barriers to and risks of participating in emerging markets for ecosystem services, SNCC provides the scaffolding for Sierra landowners and conservation organizations to build revenue to protect and restore forestlands in the Sierra Nevada. By assessing the services provided by the healthy functioning of Sierra Nevada ecosystems, we can create reliable sources of revenue to pay for the stewardship and restoration of the region’s forestlands and the state’s upper watersheds.

Looking at the numbers: Sierra mixed-conifer forests store about 150-200 tons of CO2 (in carbon biomass) per acre. CO2 credits that meet the California standards are selling between $9.70 and $12 per ton. Selling the carbon credits generated from the conservation of forestland can provide critical and flexible funding for stewardship, conservation, and other activities. Total start-up costs range from $60K-$100K depending on the size and characteristics of the property.

Process:

What is SBC doing? The Sierra Nevada Carbon Cooperative is a program developed by SBC to develop and market a portfolio of forest conservation, management, and reforestation projects in accordance with the Climate Action Reserve (formerly known as the California Climate Action Registry) Forest Protocols. These projects mitigate greenhouse gases emissions by removing CO2 from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis and storing carbon in terrestrial ecosystems through natural forest management. SBC can help you and/or your organization with any of the following (click the link for a more detailed description of each service):

• Strategy Consultation 

• Project Finance Consultation

• New Methodologies

• Project Development

• Marketing & Brokerage 

Current Results:

Climate Change Policy: In response to current and future climate change policy, the state of California has begun to shape GHG emission programs dedicated to lowering and offsetting emissions. Assembly Bill 32, implemented in August of 2006, aims to establish the first comprehensive program of regulatory and market mechanisms to achieve real, quantifiable, cost-effective reductions of GHG’s. Check out the “Resources” tab for the history of and more information on “AB 32” and other up-to-date climate policy information. Also, check out our “Forest Carbon Blog” to voice your opinion about what state, national, and international policies you feel will work or need help.

How you can participate? The Sierra Nevada Carbon Cooperative is designed to help landowners and land managers measure, certify, market, and sell Sierra Nevada carbon offsets from forestland conservation and management in the Northern Sierra. Sierra Business Council will do this by playing the role of project consultant, manager, and/or developer, according to CCAR’s “Gold Standard” protocols. SBC is currently seeking qualified projects on forested lands of the Sierra Nevada, which have been managed for conservation, avoided conversion to development or agriculture, or need to be afforested after deforestation.