SCM0006: Methodology for the Conservation of Areas of Biodiversity Importance
Sectoral Scope: Scope 14 - Afforestation and reforestation
Status: Live since 20/12/2022
Methodology Developer: Social Carbon Foundation
Modules / Key Sources:
SCT0001 - Tool for the Demonstration and Assessment of Additionality in SOCIALCARBON Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) Project Activities v1.0
SCD0005: Module for the Management of Leakage in Conservation Projects
Useful Links:
Description.
This methodology is designed to offer a new financing mechanism for conservation efforts worldwide. The methodology quantified net GHG emission removals (NERs) from project activities that conserve terrestrial habitats of significant biodiversity and/or ecosystem value. The methodology quantifies net removals of CO2 only.
Historically, the carbon markets have focused on degraded habitats that require climate finance to protect and restore them. Areas that require conservation but exhibit limited degradation or deforestation have been largely excluded from eligibility within the market. As a result, the conservation of these areas has typically been financed through donations or grants. This methodology has been designed to offer a new financing mechanism that quantifies real, conservative GHG removals, whilst embedding biodiversity monitoring and local community engagement.
Version History.
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Release date: 17th November 2023
Notes:
Inclusion of Deadwood as a eligible carbon pool
Requirement to conduct ground-truthing when default values are used
Procedures added to manage default value uncertainty
Clarity provided on measuring deforestation and degradation rates
Raising of deforestation/degradation threshold to 0.25%
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Public Consultation: 01/04/2026 - 01/06/2026
Notes:
Transition to ecosystem productivity accounting based on Net Ecosystem Productivity (NEP)
Introduction of a three-tier removals quantification hierarchy: (i) direct NEP measurement, (ii) modelled NEP, and (iii) conservative woody biomass proxy with literature-aligned NEP cap
Enhanced clarity and robustness in AGB and BGB quantification procedures, including explicit accommodation of emerging monitoring technologies and structured modelling pathways
Replacement of the fixed conservation boundary (3 km / 15,000 ha rule) with a dynamic Risk-Adaptive Conservation Zone (RACZ) derived from spatial vulnerability modelling
Integration of multiple disturbance drivers (external deforestation, planned legal conversion, poaching, invasive species), with driver-specific baseline characterisation
Removal of fixed deforestation threshold approach; baseline restructured according to risk vector and ecological context
Addition of explicit NEP adjustment mechanism and refinement of emissions and uncertainty calculation formulas
Strengthened map accuracy requirements and clarified procedures for baseline and monitoring LULC datasets
Reorganisation and expansion of the Monitoring Plan, including structured monitoring of removals, emissions, disturbance drivers, and QA/QC
Inclusion of detailed worked examples, including RACZ determination for external deforestation and modelled annual carbon increment estimation
Formal modular separation of ARR activities (to be implemented under SCM0009) and integration of SCD0005 for leakage management
Strengthened alignment with SCM0003 v2.0, SCM0011 v1.0, and SOCIALCARBON Standard v7.0
Clarified applicability conditions and reinforced requirement for science-aligned conservation and restoration practices