Menu
FR
search
Publications

Launch of the project VOluntary CArbon Land Certification (VOCAL)

9 December 2015 - Foreword of the week

I4CE and its agricultural and forestry partners launch a project creating a national carbon certification aimed at agricultural and forestry projects. VOluntary CArbon Land Certification (VOCAL) will certify greenhouse gas emission reductions from projects implemented in France in the agricultural and forestry sectors through a reference framework and methodologies validated by the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy (MEDDE in French).

A necessary carbon certification

The VOCAL project aims at creating new opportunities for carbon valorization for the agricultural and forestry sectors, by allowing the certification of projects that hardly develop with the current carbon certification provisions. This framework will thus fill the gap in certification tools for national projects in the agricultural and forestry sectors, and bring up a complementary source of income for project holders to the extent of the emissions reductions. It will also provide a guarantee for the carbon units’ buyers, ensuring the quality of the projects.

The certification framework project is supported by the MEDDE and may also contribute to the achievement of national and European goals in terms of GHG emission reductions. More specifically, VOCAL partakes in the objective of an accelerated national transition towards a green economy, from the mobilization road map towards COP21 presented by the MEDDE during the Environmental Conference of 2014.

A project already on its way

The VOCAL certification should be operational in 2017. Meanwhile, here are the actions planned:

      • Completion of a study on demand for national carbon credits from agricultural and forestry sectors
      • Evaluation of the expectations and motivations of forest owners regarding this mechanism;
      • Elaboration of a general reference framework and specific methodologies that will be tested through a network of pilot projects

The study of demand for local carbon credits from companies and local authorities is currently under way. It will enable the mapping of demand for voluntary carbon credits in France and evaluate the will to pay for environmental services given by forest and agriculture. This will allow the certification framework to adjust at best to potential buyers’ expectations.

The innovating result of the work of the Action-Research Clubs

The certification project stems from the work of the Carbon Forest and Wood Club and the Agriculture and Climate Club managed by I4CE and its partners. For years, both Clubs have been a forum for exchange and sharing of experience and expertise on carbon offset and the valorization of the mitigation role of agriculture and forestry sectors. The acknowledgement of the difficulties to carry out projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural and forestry sectors led a dozen private and public organizations members of the Clubs to consider a national certification framework.

The project is co-funded by the European Union through the European Fund for Regional Development in Massif Central (FEDER). The Public Interest Group Massif Central, the National Centre on Forest Ownership (CNPF), the Livestock-breeders’ Institute (IDELE), InVivo, Interbev, the National Interprofessional Centre for Dairy Economy (CNIEL) and the Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA) have helped to build the project and are now part of it.

To learn more
  • 07/19/2024 Foreword of the week
    Public climate investment: there is no “magic” money but there is room for manoeuvre

    The recent election campaign in France didn’t give priority to the climate and environment. However, taking climate action is still widely supported by the French voters and most decision-makers. But a mandate to act is not enough. To make up for the current shortfall in climate investment, we need a solid consensus on the financial resources to be deployed to the climate transition in the long term. Today, these resources come partly from public budgets. And it is not a secret that the public contribution probably will have to increase in the future.

  • 07/18/2024 Blog post
    The Climate Investment Challenge behind the European Prosperity Plan

    Ursula Von der Leyen’s competitiveness agenda is grabbing headlines – but the hard work of climate implementation and investment is only just beginning. In this blog, Ciaran Humphreys and Dorthe Nielsen outline the challenges this era of implementation poses, and how to align climate ambition with the President’s economic vision.  Ursula Von der Leyen has been re-elected as Commission President – and by a wider margin than expected. Before the vote, she set out her political priorities for the next EU mandate. Her vision focused on themes of security, economic competitiveness, and enlargement – unsurprisingly so at a time when the EU is increasingly concerned about its place in the world. 

  • 07/12/2024
    Financing the climate transition in France: what room for manœuvre on public funding needs?

    France is facing a climate investment deficit relative to its climate objectives. Today, these investment are already putting a strain on public finances, whether in terms of investing in public facilities or co-financing projects by households and business. Increasing climate investments is therefore a challenge for public finances. But the scale of the challenge varies, depending on future policies. So what room for manoeuvre is there in terms of climate-related public spending needs?

See all publications
Press contact Amélie FRITZ Head of Communication and press relations Email
Subscribe to our mailing list :
I register !
Subscribe to our newsletter
Once a week, receive all the information on climate economics
I register !
Fermer