Ensuring accountability and efficiency in reforestation amid global deforestation challenges
Reforestation is a key global initiative, as deforestation continues at a rate of 800 football fields per hour since 1990. At COP26 in Glasgow, 100 countries committed to halting deforestation by 2030, with significant funding allocated to forest restoration. In Denmark, the Danish Climate Forest Foundation was established to support national climate goals by funding reforestation and transitioning carbon-rich lowlands from intensive farming to forestry. This transformation is essential for reducing emissions and increasing carbon sequestration.
The Danish government established the Climate Forest Foundation to combine public and private funding for new forests while maintaining a carbon registry for certified reforestation projects. To ensure accountability in carbon credit management, a digital platform was needed to handle grant applications, enforce compliance, and maintain transparency.
The foundation evaluates applications based on carbon sequestration potential, cost efficiency, and environmental benefits like biodiversity and water protection. Accurate carbon calculations and verification of project additionality were essential, requiring GIS integration for precise mapping. A structured digital system was necessary to efficiently process applications and support reliable carbon credit validation.
