Project Description

2.1.1 Project Scope

This methodology exclusively applies to projects categorized as Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) within mangrove ecosystems, focusing on measurable greenhouse gas (GHG) removal. Projects must meet the following applicability conditions:

1. Eligible Project Activities: Activities must involve the establishment, restoration, or enhancement of mangrove forests on lands classified as barren, degraded, or deforested at the project start date. Additionally, the project must focus solely on ARR activities and exclude activities classified as REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation).
2. Project Start Date: The start date is defined as the date when measurable ARR activities begin (e.g., site preparation, planting). Evidence, such as documented plans or satellite imagery, must be provided to validate the start date. The methodology allows retroactive projects with a start date up to 10 years prior to validation, provided they include verifiable evidence.
3. Exclusions: Activities unrelated to ARR (e.g., REDD, conservation without active enhancement, or activities targeting only avoided emissions) are explicitly excluded due to differences in accounting methodologies and environmental outcomes. Mangrove restoration projects with overlapping boundaries with other carbon offset projects are not eligible to prevent double counting of carbon credits.
4. Ownership and Rights: Project participants must demonstrate clear ownership or rights to implement ARR activities in the project area. This includes legal land ownership, lease agreements, or formal written consent from landowners or relevant authorities.

2.1.2 Purpose and Objectives

The project needs to define its overarching goal, which includes carbon sequestration, the restoration or enhancement of mangrove ecosystems, and the delivery of biodiversity and community co-benefits. This should encompass the specific environmental outcomes aimed for, and these objectives should be clear, measurable, and aligned with the overall sustainability goals of the project.

2.1.3 Project Boundaries

Carbon Pools and GHG Sources: The project needs to define the carbon pools and GHG sources associated with both the project and baseline scenarios. These include above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, soil organic carbon, and dead organic matter. Developers are required to provide detailed data on these carbon pools, along with methods for measuring and monitoring carbon stocks.

Geographical Boundaries: The geographical boundaries define the physical area in which the mangrove restoration or protection activities will take place. It is essential to clearly delineate these boundaries to avoid overlap with other carbon offset projects. Carbontribe then cross-checks and overlays the new project boundaries onto the existing repository database to detect any spatial overlap or inconsistencies.

Carbontribe will validate the project area and analyse land cover usages. For that, project developers are required to provide geographic information in a standardized format. This information must be submitted in the form of a KML file or a text file with an array of geographic coordinates. Below are the specific requirements and conditions for this submission:

Submission Format

1. KML File: The KML (Keyhole Markup Language) file must accurately delineate the project boundary. It must include a single, contiguous polygon or set of polygons representing the entire project area. The KML file must be formatted to be compatible with common GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and GPS software such as Google Earth, ArcGIS, and QGIS.
2. Array of Coordinates: If a KML file is not submitted, the project boundary may alternatively be defined by an array of geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) separated by commas. Each row has to be separated by a new line. The coordinates must be listed sequentially to form a closed loop that represents the boundary.

File Specifications

1. Coordinate System: All coordinates must be provided in the WGS84 datum (EPSG:4326).
2. Boundary Precision: Ensure the precision of the boundary coordinates is sufficient to prevent ambiguity, with at least six decimal places (e.g., 37.774929, -122.419416).
3. File Integrity: The file must be free of errors and validate against standard KML or GIS file validators.

2.1.4 Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder engagement is essential for ensuring the success and sustainability of mangrove restoration projects, as it fosters collaboration, builds trust, and ensures that local needs and priorities are met. To achieve this, projects should actively involve local communities, governments, environmental organizations, and other relevant stakeholders throughout all stages of the process. This can be done by holding regular meetings, conducting consultations, and creating opportunities for feedback during the planning, implementation, and monitoring phases.

In areas where Indigenous peoples and local communities are impacted, projects must adhere to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) principles. This involves early engagement, clear communication of project details, and securing documented consent before implementation. Compliance measures, records of consultations, and participatory decision-making processes are required to ensure alignment with community rights and environmental standards, particularly in high-risk regions.

To maintain accountability, all relevant documentation—including stakeholder engagement records, FPIC agreements (where applicable), and evidence of compliance—must be submitted as part of the application process. This ensures that projects meet ethical and legal standards while fostering long-term community support and environmental impact.