What is global warming?

Global warming is a distinct, measurable and long-term increase in the Earth's average temperature.

What is climate change?

Climate change is a change in the distribution of global weather patterns over a long time.

What are greenhouse gases?

Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that absorb heat and re-radiate that heat into the atmosphere.

What is a carbon credit?

A carbon credit is an independently certified unit representing greenhouse gas emissions that have been removed from or prevented from entering the atmosphere.

What is carbon trading?

Carbon trading is a market-based approach to managing pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

REDD+ stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. REDD+ projects can generate carbon credits by protecting forests from deforestation and degradation.

AFOLU stands for Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use. AFOLU projects include activities such as afforestation, reforestation, improved forest management and reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation.

What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy comes from naturally replenished resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat.

What is the difference between voluntary and compliance carbon markets?

Compliance carbon markets allow trading of carbon units to meet legal obligations, while voluntary carbon markets allow organisations and individuals to purchase carbon units voluntarily.

What is carbon neutrality?

Carbon neutrality generally refers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero or balancing remaining emissions through measures such as purchasing carbon credits, subject to applicable definitions and requirements.

Carbon Projects

Can I Develop a Carbon Project on My Land? A Step-by-Step Guide

If you own or manage forest, degraded land, peatland or mangroves, you may be able to earn income from carbon credits. Many landowners ask the same question: how do I develop a carbon project on my land? This guide walks you through the process.

Is my land suitable?

Land is more likely to be suitable if it:

Contains forest at risk of logging or clearing (REDD+ or IFM potential)
Is degraded or cleared and could be restored with trees (ARR potential)
Includes peat soils or mangroves
Covers a large enough area to make project costs worthwhile, often thousands of hectares for forest projects, though aggregating several landholdings can help
Has clear ownership or recognised customary rights

Step 1: Initial screening

A developer reviews maps, satellite imagery, land tenure and threats to the land to give a first view of potential.

Step 2: Feasibility study

This estimates carbon stocks, the likely volume of credits, which standard and methodology apply, costs, risks and expected income.

Step 3: Community consultation and consent

If others live on or depend on the land, awareness programs and free, prior and informed consent are essential. Benefit-sharing is agreed at this stage.

Step 4: Agreements

Landowners and the developer sign agreements covering roles, costs, revenue sharing and project duration. Always seek independent advice.

Step 5: Documentation and registration

The developer prepares the Project Description, registers the project nationally where required and with an international standard such as Verra.

Step 6: Validation and verification

An independent auditor checks the project design and, later, the emission reductions achieved.

Step 7: Credit issuance and sale

Credits are issued to the project and sold to buyers, with revenue shared according to the agreement.

How long does it take and what does it cost?

Forest carbon projects often take two to four years from feasibility to first issuance, and crediting periods can run for 20 to 100 years depending on the standard and project type. Development costs can be significant, but many developers cover upfront costs in exchange for a share of future credits.

Your obligations as a landowner

You will usually need to maintain the land use agreed in the project (for example, no logging), allow monitoring, and keep the project in place for the crediting period.

Start with Asia Pacific Carbon

Asia Pacific Carbon helps landowners across Asia and the Pacific assess eligibility and develop projects from start to finish. Read our full guide and contact us.