Forest ecosystems play a critical role in regulating the Earth’s climate; at the same time, most forest ecosystems are also threatened by climate change. There is an increasing demand for credible carbon credits generated from forest projects.

Carbon management cannot be separated from the many ecosystem services that well managed forests provide. There is a need for credible and affordable auditing tools to assess and monitor avoided deforestation and forest carbon sequestration.

The FSC system provides the context by which carbon management and carbon crediting can be harmonized with other uses and values of the forest. There are also potential risks associated with developing forest carbon projects and markets. FSC is currently analyzing both the potential opportunities and risks.

FSC statement “forests and climate change” (English/ Spanish)
August 2008 – The FSC Board of Directors developed the statement. It lays the foundation for FSC’s potential role in climate change mitigation and is in line with the goals of the overarching FSC Global Strategy released in 2007.

Motion 43 ‘FSC engagement in forest-based carbon’
November 2008 - The FSC membership passed the motion at the 2008 FSC General Assembly. It solicits FSC to explore its potential to engage in frameworks to mitigate climate change.