Pricing Forest Carbon

United Nations 3 years ago

Pricing forest carbon and putting in place the means and channels to pay for it are necessary conditions to achieve the 2030 mitigation goals. Yet, after more than 15 years of discussion, payments for emissions reductions from forests continue to be unreasonably low, both in terms of price and volume. At the same time, mechanisms already proven in other sectors to increase the catalytic effect of public funds and the participation of the private sector are mostly absent from the toolbox for fighting deforestation and forest degradation. This must change fast. Below is a summary of the main findings from this report: We are in an existential crisis, but forests can deliver for people and planet. 1. HIGH-QUALITY AND HIGH INTEGRITY EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS (ERS) FROM REDD+ ARE COSTEFFECTIVE, BUT THEY ARE NOT CHEAP.  2. SECURING FAIR COMPENSATION FOR FOREST CARBON IS LINKED TO INCREASING THE VOLUME OF TRANSACTIONS OF ERS FROM REDD+ ON COMPLIANCE MARKETS.  3. THE ADOPTION OF (ALREADY EXISTING) PRICING INSTRUMENTS CAN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE LEVERAGE EFFECT OF PUBLIC FUNDS TO MOBILIZE PRIVATE FINANCE AND GROW THE SUPPLY OF ERS FROM REDD+.
→ View Full Article

layersDaily Sustainability Digest

Published about 4 hours ago



The week’s sustainability in construction agenda is being shaped by policy delivery, clean power capacity and verified building performance rather than headline technology. The UK climate watchdog’s warning over failures to meet national targets raises direct risks for sustainable construction, where developers and contractors are under growing pressure to cut embodied carbon, prove whole life carbon outcomes and align projects with net zero carbon buildings.

New gas licensing weakens confidence in long-term decarbonising the built environment, leaving investors with less certainty for low carbon design, sustainable building design and net zero whole life carbon strategies.

The next clean-power Contract for Difference auction could reduce wholesale electricity costs and deliver £11bn in net savings to households and businesses by 2050, strengthening the case for heat pumps, electric plant, smart controls and energy-efficient buildings. Corporate demand for renewable power is already outstripping supply, making credible procurement essential for net zero carbon claims.

Whole life carbon assessment, lifecycle assessment and life cycle cost analysis are becoming central to investment decisions, with building lifecycle performance now judged against measured outcomes, not intent.

Inside buildings, the push to make pumps part of a building’s digital DNA underlines the value of operational data in reducing waste. Poorly monitored plant can lock in excess energy use for decades, undermining carbon footprint reduction and the carbon footprint of construction across an asset’s life.

The direction is clear: environmental sustainability in construction now depends on low embodied carbon materials, sustainable material specification, environmental product declarations (EPDs), circular economy principles and resource efficiency in construction. BREEAM, BREEAM v7 and stronger performance standards will increase scrutiny of sustainable building practices, circular economy in construction, end-of-life reuse in construction and circular construction strategies. Green construction will be defined by evidence: low carbon construction materials, eco-design for buildings, transparent data and disciplined delivery.

Show More

camera_altFeatured Instagram Posts:

Get your opinion heard:

Whole Life Carbon is a platform for the entire construction industry—both in the UK and internationally. We track the latest publications, debates, and events related to whole life guidance and sustainability. If you have any enquiries or opinions to share, please do get in touch.

Let's chat!
Avatar

WLC Assistant

Ask me about sustainability

Hi! I'm your Whole Life Carbon assistant. I can help you learn about sustainability, carbon assessment, and navigate our resources. How can I help you today?