CO2 S.Fo.Ma. Marche - CO2 Stored in Forests Management Marche
About this good practice
CO2 S.Fo.Ma. Marche is a climate change mitigation project running in 2019-2023.
Aim of the project:
- stimulate the carbon storage through the SFM
- obtain SFM for the forest of the partnership
- quantify the carbon additionally stored by forest management, assigning an economic value (carbon credits)
- create a platform for the voluntary carbon market.
- stimulate the cooperation between public and private in forest management, involving in the certification process both private owners and public-private organizations responsible for management of public forests.
It is focused on Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) of the forest assets (with a voluntary certification recognized by accredited third-party body) and identified a methodology of counting the stored carbon and evaluating the sustainability credits generated by specific forest management and agroforestry sinks. Carbon absorption by forest can be encouraged alongside the creation of new forests, which entails an additional net absorption of CO2. SFM can also lead to an increase in carbon sinks.
It is focused on SFM based on the evaluation of the eco-systemic services of forests, with particular attention to the quantification of carbon storage. SFM is certified by PEFC (Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes), a Forest Certification, based on compliance with the criteria and indicators defined in the Ministerial Conferences for the Protection of Forests in Europe (Helsinki 1993, Lisbon 1998).
Resources needed
The project was financed with a contribution of 289.570,89 € by the regional program for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Evidence of success
The 4 forest management companies (which coordinate several public and private forest owners) obtained the SFM certification for 9,208 hectares in the region, along the Apennine ridge from Piceno area on the south to the province of Pesaro-Urbino on the north. This is the largest forest certification in central-southern Italy. This surface provides an additional storage of 24,000 t of CO2 per year. The certification of credits in ongoing: information is going to be consolidated within 2024.
Potential for learning or transfer
The project was founded on the collaboration between different partners, including agro-forest public-private organization responsible for forest management, private compamies and scientific bodies expert in forest management. In addition, private forest owners were involved n the process of certification. Partners have obtained a voluntary certification on forests recognized by accredited third-party certification bodies through the drafting of a specific GFS Manual and the consequent adaptation of the existing Management Plans.
A web platform for the exchange of carbon credit was implemented.
Peculiar attention was also given to the dissemination of results and to the transfer of knowledge, with the involvement of stakeholders and general public.
Further information
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