North American IFM Carbon Projects

What are IFM projects? 

Improved Forest Management (IFM) carbon projects in the North America are initiatives designed to enhance carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in existing forests through sustainable management practices. These projects typically involve:

• Extending harvest rotations
• Implementing selective harvesting techniques
• Reducing logging impact
• Preserving high-carbon stock forests
• Enhancing forest productivity

IFM projects in North America are primarily certified under the American Carbon Registry (ACR) standard. Key project requirements for improved forest management certification include:

• Demonstration of increased on-site carbon stocking levels beyond business-as-usual scenarios
• Adherence to sustainable forest management practices
• Clear land title or timber rights
• Forest certification for commercially harvested lands
  

In addition to delivering emission reductions and removals to help take urgent action to combat climate change (SDG 13), Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects in North America contribute to other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering multiple benefits:

• Clean Water and Sanitation: IFM projects that shift from production to conservation protect and improve water-related forest ecosystems, enhancing water quality and water retention. Conservation practices reduce soil erosion and act as a buffer for nitrate leakage from surrounding agriculture. 
• Life on Land: IFM activities contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation and forest protection. Shifting from production to conservation helps avoid forest loss, while reduced impact logging contributes to higher species richness and biodiversity.