Why CarbonFix ?

Many project developers inquire about the differences between the CarbonFix Standard and other standards. On this site, we provide you with information on the major differences to the following standards:

A/R CDM

VCS

CCBS & FSC

Third-party evaluations
	Authors: OroVerde, Global Nature Fund - 2011 Supporters: Federal Environment Agency (UBA), Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) Title: Investing in forest carbon projects - Guidelines for companies and private investors Conclusion: The CarbonFix Standard fulfills the majority of the essential criteria regarding the methodology on CO2-calculation as well as the social and ecological criteria. Page 29. Website: www.globalnature.org/31768/PROJECTS/ Download report
	Authors: E. Merger, M. Dutschke, L. Verchot - 2011 Supporters: UNIQUE GmbH, BioCarbon Consult, CIFOR Scientific review: forests Title: Options for REDD+ Voluntary Certification to Ensure Net GHG Benefits, Poverty Alleviation, Sustainable Management of Forests and Biodiversity Conservation Conclusion: The CarbonFix Standard provides a practical approach that includes a comprehensive framework for designing and implementing A/R projects promoting SFM and forest conservation. Page 568. Website: http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/2/2/550/ Download report
	Authors: natureOffice - 2011 Title: Gold Standard versus CarbonFix Language: German only Conclusion: Both standards are seen as equally good to provide investors and companies with a transparent tool to secure high-quality certificates for voluntary commitments in climate protection. Page 15. Download report
	Authors: International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA) - 2011 Conclusion: "We selected the CarbonFix Standard for inclusion in the ICROA Code because CarbonFix offset credits are environmentally robust, highly innovative and focus on biodiversity and sustainability." Edward Hanrahan, ICROA co-chair Website: http://klimabonus.com/article160_15704.html
	Authors: CarbonPositive - 2010 Title: Status and Future of the Afforestation and Reforestation (A/R) Carbon Sector Conclusion: By 2010 already 31% of the worlds voluntary A/R forest carbon projects were using the CarbonFix Standard. Page 15. Download report
	Authors: Imperial College London, P. Lopes - 2009 Title: A Comparison of the leading Standards in the - Voluntary Carbon Market Conclusion: For reforestation projects, CarbonFix is highly recommended. CarbonFix managed to transform a highly complex process into a simplified, user friendly standard and still guuarantees high-quality carbon credits. Page 72. Download report
	Authors: Canterbury University, E. Merger - 2008 Supporters: Carbon Positive Title: A Comparison of the leading Standards in the Voluntary Carbon Market Conclusion: For projects larger than 100ha the CarbonFix Standard can be recommended as being the most appropriat. Page 67. Download report

A/R CDM

Practicability

The A/R CDM mechanisms of the UN have set the worlds methodological basis on how to measure carbon reductions in forestation projects. Included in the determination of carbon reductions are factors such as the growth of the trees, their density of wood, the biomass of their roots as well as many parameters about the vegetation before the project has started. These parameters make the calculation of carbon credits a science on its own, with many consulting companies that offer their skills to assist project developers.

PRO CarbonFix The CarbonFix Standard has simplified the methodological science, so that project developers can calculation the carbon reduction on their own, without the need to hire a costly consulting firm. The simplification is a result of the limitation to certain types of forestation - e.g. projects can not apply the CarbonFix Standard when they plant their trees on a wetland. Experts believe that 70% of all potential climate forestation will be able to apply this simiplified methodology.

While a methdology of A/R CDM counts in average 80 pages, the simplified methodology of CarbonFix's is only 10 pages long, but still includes all parameters required by the A/R CDM framework (CO2-fixation, Baseline, Leakage and Project emissions) as well as the selection of the carbon pools.

CONTRA CarbonFix Due to the focus of CarbonFix Standard on the more common forestation types, some projects might not be able to use CarbonFix for their certification. For these projects we recommend using the VCS AFOLU in combination with the FSC standard.

Temporary credits

Projects certified according to A/R CDM generate temporary certificates (tCERs). Neither in the voluntary, nor in any of the world's compliance markets these credits have found any acceptance. Therefore, there is no market for these certificates.

PRO CarbonFix With the CarbonFix Standard, projects generate permanent VER (Voluntary Emission Rights). This type of credits find acceptance in the Voluntary Carbon Market, enabling project developers to sell their certificates. The Voluntary Carbon Market accepts ex-post as well as ex-ante VERs, depending mainly on the demand of the buyer.

Certification process

The certification for A/R CDM projects ranges from 2 to 4 years, costing in average 200.000 US$ per project. For many project developers this time period is too long and costly.

PRO CarbonFix Due to the simplified methodology of CarbonFix as well as an efficient documentation process, project certification under the CarbonFix Standard take in average of 6 to 12 months.

How to apply for CarbonFix, when I already have a PDD of A/R CDM or VCS?
The most efficient way to convert the information of your existing PDD is by copy-and-pasting the fitting paragraphs to the respective CarbonFix templates and then completing the remaining parts manually. The format of documentation is an important aspect for the quality and transparency under the CarbonFix Standard.