The Framework for Remotely Sensed Quantification of Forest Carbon prescribes quantification standards, validation guidelines and steps for employing Predictive Models based on Remote Sensing of carbon pools in ACR forest carbon projects.

The Framework establishes statistical thresholds for accuracy and uncertainty of a Predictive Model’s carbon stock estimates. When employed, a Project Proponent must measure randomly allocated ground-based forest inventory plots (i.e., Validation Plots). The carbon stock estimates derived from the Validation Plots are statistically compared against the Predictive Model carbon stock estimates. If all thresholds are met, a Predictive Model is deemed eligible to utilize the model’s carbon stock estimates in project quantification and reporting of the forest carbon project.

The Framework also establishes a procedure for Validation/Verification Bodies (VVBs) to confirm the accurate measurement of a Project Proponent’s Validation Plots via independent re-measurement results of a statistical test. Once a VVB’s re-measurements have confirmed the Project Proponent’s accurate measurement of Validation Plots, the Predictive Model is approved to estimate carbon stocks in the carbon project.

Predictive Models may use any Remote Sensing technology and carbon stock’s predictive modeling approach, so long as it meets the established thresholds. Auxiliary data not based on Remote Sensing (e.g., soil or topographic data) may be used to develop a Predictive Models. “Off the shelf” commercially available data products may also be used as a Predictive Model.

Use of this Framework must coincide with a carbon project’s validation and/or a full verification that includes a site visit to the carbon project area. Once approved for use, a Predictive Model is valid for 5 years of reporting, at which point the same or an updated Predictive Model must be submitted for approval for use. Other Methodology-approved approaches (e.g., a Ground Plot-based forest inventory) may be applied to derive carbon stocks at any time, including during the 5-year period.

Reference  Documents

• Summary and Response to Public Comments
• ACR Script for Validation Plot Location Generation