Full Title: Agricultural Soil Carbon Credits: Making Sense of Protocols for Carbon Sequestration and Net Greenhouse Gas Removals
Author(s): Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Woodwell Climate Research Center
Publisher(s): Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Woodwell Climate Research Center
Publication Date: September 15, 2021
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
This synthesis is for federal and state policymakers looking to shape public investments in climate mitigation through agricultural soil carbon credits, protocol developers, project developers and aggregators, buyers of credits and others interested in learning about the landscape of soil carbon and net greenhouse gas measurement, reporting and verification protocols. We use the term MRV broadly to encompass the range of quantification activities, structural considerations and requirements intended to ensure the integrity of quantified credits.
This report outlines research gaps underpinning the understanding of the mitigation potential of SOC sequestration. It details how the various protocols plan to quantify changes in SOC and associated GHGs — nitrous oxide and methane. It includes important considerations in the application of process-based models for GHG estimation, and it highlights technological developments for measuring SOC.