Governance
The SOCIALCARBON Standard is currently managed by the England & Wales registered Social Enterprise, Social Carbon Ltd (17170745) (“Administrator”).
Governance of the SOCIALCARBON Standard spans both the Standard and the Administrator: the Independent Standard Board provides independent oversight and decision-making authority for material changes to the SOCIALCARBON Standard, methodologies, frameworks and crediting rules, while the Board of Directors retains legal, fiduciary, financial and strategic oversight of Social Carbon Ltd as the Administrator. This structure separates technical standard-setting from organisational administration, preserving the independence of the Standard while maintaining legal accountability and operational oversight.
Independent Standard Board
The Independent Standard Board (ISB) is the independent decision-making body responsible for safeguarding the integrity, credibility, and continuous improvement of the SOCIALCARBON Standard.
The ISB operates as a non-executive body composed of independent experts with relevant technical, scientific, market and policy expertise.
The ISB holds final decision-making authority over all matters that materially affect the integrity of the SOCIALCARBON Standard.
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Dr Jenny Farmer
CHAIR
Jenny is a land-use and carbon markets expert with over 15 years of experience as a research scientist and practitioner, specializing in soil carbon, greenhouse gas measurement, and ecosystem-based climate solutions. -
Dr Daniel Nepstad
Daniel is a leading tropical forest ecologist and climate policy expert, with 30+ years of work in the Amazon on deforestation, sustainable land use, and climate solutions. Published extensively, he has co-founded major conservation initiatives, and served as a lead author for the IPCC.
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Dr Divaldo Rezende
Divaldo is a leading expert on Carbon Markets. He developed the first carbon project in Brazil, 2nd in the world back in 1997. Ex-Secretary of Environment in Tocantins State, Brazil, he is the original founder of the SOCIALCARBON Standard.
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Dr George Burba
George is a leading bio-atmospheric scientist and Science & Strategy Fellow at LI-COR Biosciences. He has authored hundreds of scientific publications and pioneered widely used climate measurement techniques and technologies.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is the legal governing body of Social Carbon Ltd, the entity responsible for the administration of the SOCIALCARBON Standard.
The Board of Directors is responsible for:
Ensuring legal, fiduciary, and financial oversight of Social Carbon Ltd
Setting the strategic direction of the organisation
Appointing members of the Independent Standard Board (ISB)
Overseeing the performance and accountability of the Administrator
To preserve the integrity and independence of the SOCIALCARBON Standard, the Board of Directors does not participate in technical or methodological decision-making and it doesn’t approve or reject changes to the Standard, methodologies, or crediting rules.
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Ian Short
Chair
Co-founded and led several climate-focused organisations, including serving as CEO of Climate-KIC, a €100m per year organisation with 280+ partners. Fellow Chartered Accountant, with early career experience at the New Zealand Treasury and a global investment bank. -
Mike Davies
CEO
Founded Social Carbon Ltd, building its core technology platforms and scientific foundations before assembling the wider team. Recognised for deep expertise in nature markets, with prior management consulting experience advising multinationals and governments.
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Dr Daniel Zimmer
Independent Director
Director of Sustainable Land Use theme of EIT Climate-KIC. Global leader in climate and water, previously the Executive Director of the World Water Council.
Policies & Procedures
Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy
This policy outlines measures to prevent bribery and corruption, thereby upholding the integrity of our Standard and Registry.
AML & CFT Procedures and Policy
This policy outlines the due diligence procedures required for project proponents, project stakeholders, and market practitioners engaging with our Standard and Registry.
Complaints and Appeals Policy
This policy outlines how complains and appeals shall be managed.
Decision Making Policy
This policy outlines the process by which key decisions are made related to the SOCIALCARBON Standard.
Incident Response Policy
This policy outlines internal incident response and notification procedures to maintain information security.
Conflicts of Interest Policy
This policy outlines how conflicts of interest and managed to safeguard the integrity of our Standard and Registry.
Grievance Policy
This policy outlines the procedures for the timely and effective resolution of grievances.
Operating Manual
This document outlines the core operating functions of the Social Carbon Ltd, along with the procedures for managing the SOCIALCARBON Standard and certifying projects under it.
Environmental and Social Policy
This policy outlines how Social Carbon Ltd aims to maximise social benefits and minimise environmental harm through its operations.
Longevity & Dissolution Plan
This document outlines the high level procedures for managing assets in the event of dissolution. These assets include the projects using the SOCIALCARBON Standard, the Standard itself and other assets.
Reversals Management
This document sets out the internal procedures for Social Carbon Ltd, as the SOCIALCARBON Administrator, to identify, review, decide, record and implement actions for reversals affecting projects certified under the SOCIALCARBON Standard.
VVB Policy
This policy outlines the requirements and procedures used to manage Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs).
Registry Procedures
This document outlines the core functions and procedures of the Registry.
Appointments Policy
This policy outlines the governance framework of Social Carbon Ltd, including the procedures for appointing members to the Board, leadership positions, the Expert Network, and other committees.
Articles of Association (Constitution)
This document outlines the fundamental principles and bylaws that constitute the legal basis of Social Carbon Ltd.
Independent Standard Board ToR
This document outlines the Terms of Reference for the Independent Standard Board.