A Fresh Take on Monitoring Tree Carbon Credits📊 Isometric has released a new protocol for measuring and verifying carbon removal through reforestation, inviting feedback from the public. The protocol aims to streamline the process of tracking carbon captured by trees, with a focus on verifying actual carbon storage rather than projections. Isometric is mixing new tech with old-school methods to get a better look at how much carbon trees are really capturing and ensure that the carbon credits from these projects are based on real results.

Reforestation—planting trees to absorb CO₂—has big potential to help combat climate change. But, the tricky part is knowing if and when those trees are actually doing the work. Traditional methods for measuring this carbon capture are slow and complicated. Isometric’s new approach could change that, aiming to make it simpler to know if carbon credits are based on actual carbon being stored in forests, rather than future estimates. This transparency could make it easier for companies to invest in reforestation with confidence.

Isometric’s protocol introduces three key updates aimed at improving the measurement of carbon removal:

• Integrating Advanced Monitoring Tools 💻: By incorporating technologies like drones, satellite imagery, and AI, the protocol aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of tracking carbon removal. This could potentially help streamline the data collection process and reduce the time needed for verifying carbon credits.
• Frequent Data Updates 📊: Traditional carbon projects often rely on static models that may not reflect current conditions. Isometric's protocol introduces a more dynamic approach, allowing for regular updates to estimates, which could provide a clearer view of the ongoing carbon removal from reforestation projects.
• Detailed Assessment of Side Effects 🔄: Reforestation projects can sometimes lead to unintended changes, such as increased emissions in nearby areas. Isometric’s protocol aims to better account for these “leakages” by using more region-specific data, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the overall impact.

For projects using in situ measurements, Isometric’s protocol outlines a process of:

• Measuring Trees Directly 📏: Projects set up fixed-radius plots throughout the area and measure tree size, like diameter at breast height (DBH). These measurements are then converted into biomass using specific equations.
• Using Proven Equations 📚: The protocol requires using allometric equations that match the forest type, with a preference for those from national inventories or established research.
• Ensuring Accuracy 📊: To keep estimates reliable, projects need enough plots to maintain a +/-10% accuracy margin, with a minimum of 30 plots. Measurements must be updated periodically throughout the project’s duration.

This method ensures that even when projects choose direct measurements, the results are consistent and scientifically grounded.