Best Practice For Agricultural Carbon Project Development Targeting Voluntary Carbon Markets
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
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Abstract: This guidebook offers a practical, technical roadmap for developing agricultural carbon projects focused on voluntary carbon markets (VCM), especially within smallholder contexts. It draws lessons primarily from the Western Kenya Soil Carbon Project (WKCP), and feasibility studies in India and Madagascar. It provides operational guidance on designing and implementing carbon credit projects using sustainable land management (SLM) practices?such as agroforestry, crop rotation, residue management, and improved tillage?on croplands. The guide discusses VCM trends, core carbon principles, project governance, agricultural extension systems, MRV frameworks, financing mechanisms, and stakeholder benefits. It includes insights into methodologies such as Verra's VM0042, describes challenges like high initial costs, permanence risk, and leakage, and outlines strategies for mitigation. The document supports quality assurance aligned with the Paris Agreement and provides replicable models for implementing carbon projects that deliver climate, livelihood, and biodiversity co-benefits.