CCP label recognizes high-integrity credits to strengthen market confidence and mobilize investment in GHG reductions

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Climate Action Reserve’s Improved Forest Management (IFM) methodology under the Mexico Forest Protocol Version 3.0 has received full approval from the Governing Board of the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market under its Core Carbon Principles (CCP) label. This designation confirms that the protocol meets the CCP’s high standards for carbon credit integrity, including additionality, permanence, robust quantification, safeguards against double counting, and a meaningful contribution to the net zero transition.

“We thank the ICVCM for their recognition of the high integrity of the Mexico Forest Protocol,” said Robin Rix, President of the Climate Action Reserve. “This designation helps reinforce trust and confidence not just in the Reserve and this protocol, but in global voluntary carbon markets. Increased market confidence can help channel vital climate finance to scale high-quality projects, attract critical investment, drive measurable emissions reductions, and demonstrate how climate action can also deliver environmental, social, and financial benefits.”

The Mexico Forest Protocol provides guidance for the development, monitoring, verification, and crediting of forest carbon sequestration projects in Mexico. The protocol applies the Reserve’s jurisdictional approach to carbon crediting, which takes into account local considerations, policies, and environmental contexts, ensuring alignment with Mexico’s communal governance structures. The protocol has already had meaningful impact with 13.8 million metric tons of GHGs reduced from 214 projects across 16 states in Mexico. Registered projects support the restoration, reforestation, or improved management of over one million hectares of forested areas.

“The CCP label is an important and welcome recognition for eligible carbon projects under our Mexico Forest Protocol,” said Amy Kessler, Director of Latin America at the Climate Action Reserve. “The Reserve is a pioneer not only in carbon accounting, but also in fostering inclusive, community-driven approaches. By engaging directly with indigenous communities and local stakeholders, we are able to create locally contextualized protocols and safeguards that are relevant and socially beneficial to the jurisdiction. We’ve traveled throughout communities in Mexico and seen firsthand how ejido and community members are working local for climate, creating jobs, gaining skills, and reinvesting carbon revenue back into the community.”

The Integrity Council Governing Board had previously approved the IFM methodology under Version 3.0 of the protocol with a condition to address market leakage. In response, the Reserve issued an Errata and Clarification document that allows for projects to use a variable market leakage rate, based on the comparison of the cumulative project harvest volume with the cumulative baseline harvest volume, instead of the previous flat 20 percent leakage rate. IFM projects that commit to a minimum 40-year permanence period and apply this variable market leakage rate may earn credits with the CCP label.

The Mexico Forest Protocol covers various project activities that lead to forest carbon enhancements, including improved forest management, restoration, and reforestation. The ICVCM is reviewing each activity type individually, and this current assessment and approval applies to the IFM methodology under Version 3.0 of the protocol. The Reserve will continue to work with the ICVCM as it proceeds with reviewing other activity types under the protocol per its category priorities and processes.

For more information on CCP-approved methodologies and programs, please visit https://icvcm.org/assessment-status/.

 
The Climate Action Reserve is the most trusted, efficient, and experienced offset registry for global carbon markets. A pioneer in carbon accounting, the Reserve promotes and fosters the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through credible market-based policies and solutions. As a high-quality offset registry for voluntary carbon markets, it establishes rigorous standards involving multi-sector stakeholder workgroup development and local engagement and issues carbon credits in a transparent and publicly available system. The organization also supports compliance carbon markets in California, Washington and internationally. The Reserve is an environmental nonprofit organization headquartered in Los Angeles, California with staff members located around the world. For more information, please visit www.climateactionreserve.org.

The Climate Action Reserve is an equal opportunity provider.

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