The following project documents are undergoing public comment:

Project name: Alto Mayo Conservation Initiative
Region, Country: San Martin, Peru
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: September 23 – October 23, 2014

Project name: Surui Forest Carbon Project
Region, Country: Rondônia and Mato Grosso, Brazil
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: September 16 – October 16, 2014

Project name: Reforestation in Grassland of Uchindile, Kilombero, Tanzania & Mapanda, Mufindi, Tanzania
Region, Country: Kilombero, Morogoro Region and Mufindi, Iringa Region, Tanzania
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: August 20 – September 19, 2014

Project name: Forest Management to Reduce Deforestation and Degradation in Shipibo Conibo and Cacataibo Indigenous Communities of Ucayali Region
Region, Country: Region Ucayali and Huánuco, Provincias Coronel Portillo, Padre Abad, Puerto Inca, Peru
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: August 25 – September 24, 2014

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process.

The following project documents are undergoing public comment:

Project name: Reforestation in Grassland of Uchindile, Kilombero, Tanzania & Mapanda, Mufindi, Tanzania
Region, Country: Kilombero, Morogoro Region and Mufindi, Iringa Region, Tanzania
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: August 20 – September 19, 2014

Project name: Forest Management to Reduce Deforestation and Degradation in Shipibo Conibo and Cacataibo Indigenous Communities of Ucayali Region
Region, Country: Region Ucayali and Huánuco, Provincias Coronel Portillo, Padre Abad, Puerto Inca, Peru
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: August 25 – September 24, 2014

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process.

The following project documents are undergoing public comment:

Project name: The Purus Project: A Tropical Forest Conservation Project in Acre, Brazil
Region, Country: Acre, Brazil
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: July 14 – August 13, 2014

Project name: The Russas Project
Region, Country: Acre, Brazil
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: July 14 – August 13, 2014

Project name: The Valparaiso Project
Region, Country: Acre, Brazil
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: July 14 – August 13, 2014

Project name: Planting for the Future: Financially sustainable agroforestry systems and payments for ecosystem services
Region, Country: Current Instances: Loreto and Ucayali, Peru
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: July 11 – August 10, 2014

Project name: Proyecto de Deforestación Evitada en las Concesiones Forestales y Corredores Biológicos de la Reserva de Biosfera Maya en Guatemala (GuateCarbon)
Region, Country: Petén Region, Guatemala
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: June 26 – July 26, 2014

Project name: Chyulu Hills REDD+ Project
Region, Country: Makueni County, Taita Taveta County and Kajiado County, Kenya
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: June 27 – July 27, 2014

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process.

The following project documents are undergoing public comment:

Project name: Bale Mountains Eco-region REDD+ Project
Region, Country: Oromia, Ethiopia
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: June 2 – July 2, 2014

Project name: Proyecto de Deforestación Evitada en las Concesiones Forestales y Corredores Biológicos de la Reserva de Biosfera Maya en Guatemala (GuateCarbon)
Region, Country: Petén Region, Guatemala
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: June 26 – July 26, 2014

Project name: Chyulu Hills REDD+ Project
Region, Country: Makueni County, Taita Taveta County and Kajiado County, Kenya
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: June 27 – July 27, 2014

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process.

The Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance is pleased to announce the release of the Guidance for the Use of the CCB Standards. Developed in partnership with Rainforest Alliance, the Guidance document has been designed to provide a detailed explanation of key concepts and requirements of the CCB Standards Third Edition that we hope will be helpful for project proponents, auditors and any users of the CCB Standards. In particular, the Guidance document aims to cover aspects relevant to smallholder- and community-led projects.

To download the Guidance for the Use of the CCB Standards, click here.

The following project documents are undergoing public comment:

Project name: Bale Mountains Eco-region REDD+ Project
Region, Country: Oromia, Ethiopia
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: June 2 – July 2, 2014

Project name: Restoration of Giant Panda Habitat in Southwest Sichuan, China
Region, Country: Leibo County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: May 30 – June 29, 2014

Project name: Laguna Seca Forest Carbon Project
Region, Country: Orange Walk District, Belize
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: May 30 – June 29, 2014

Project name: Maísa REDD+ Project
Region, Country: Pará State, Low Tocantins Region, Brazil
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: May 9 – June 8, 2014

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process.

The CCBA is pleased to announce that the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) has been approved as a Recognized Greenhouse Gas Program for the CCB Standards. Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use projects using the CCB Standards Third Edition and VCS will now be able waive the CCB Standards climate section, simplifying and streamlining the process for using the two standards together. Please visit Combining with Other Standards for further details.

The following project documents are undergoing public comment:

Project name: Maísa REDD+ Project
Region, Country: Pará State, Low Tocantins Region, Brazil
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: May 9 – June 8, 2014

Project name: Madre de Dios Amazon REDD Project
Region, Country: Madre de Dios, Peru
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: April 28 – May 28, 2014

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process.

The following project documents are undergoing public comment:

Project name: Madre de Dios Amazon REDD Project
Region, Country: Madre de Dios, Peru
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: April 28 – May 28, 2014

Project name: Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation in Seima Protection Forest
Region, Country: Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: March 24 – May 4, 2014

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process.

The following project documents are undergoing public comment:

Project name: Isangi REDD+ Project
Region, Country: Isangi territory, Yangambi District, Orientale Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation and Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: March 21 – April 20, 2014

Project name: Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation in Seima Protection Forest
Region, Country: Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: March 24 – May 4, 2014

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process.

Following the launch of the CCB Standards Third Edition in December 2013, CCBA and Rainforest Alliance have been developing a Guidance document for users of CCB Standards, in particular for smallholder- and community-led projects, on key concepts and requirements in the Third Edition of CCB Standards. The CCBA Secretariat would greatly appreciate feedback on the draft CCB Standards Guidance document sections listed below.

• Defining Boundaries: Project Area, Project Zone, Communities, Community Groups and Other Stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Free, Prior and Informed Consent.
• Net Climate Benefits.
• Programmatic Approach
• Gold Level for Exceptional Community Benefits.

In particular, please let us know if the explanations are not clear, if they are not sufficiently detailed or if there are additional questions and issues that you would like us to include.

Please send your comments or questions by email to Priti Narasimhan pnarasimhan@climate-standards.org by Tuesday, 18th of March 2014 at the latest.

The Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA) and Rainforest Alliance (RA) hosted a webinar announcing Guidance on using the CCB Standards Third Edition, including for Smallholder- and Community-led projects, on Tuesday 11th March 2014.

To download the Powerpoint presentation used in the webinar, click here.

The webinar is relevant for people who are developing land-management projects and want to demonstrate high social and environmental performance, including small-holder- and community-led projects, and other users of the CCB Standards.

Althelia Climate Fund has announced a $10m investment into the planned Taita Hills Conservation and Sustainable Land Use Project implemented by Wildlife Works Carbon LLC. The 200,000 ha. project represents an important step towards terrestrial carbon accounting at a jurisdictional scale, whilst empowering sustainable economic development of additional rural communities in the area. The project is aiming for validation and verification to the CCB Standards at the Gold Level by delivering smallholder/community-led and exceptional biodiversity benefits. For more information, click here.

The following project documents are undergoing public comment:

Project name: Kariba REDD+ Project
Region, Country: Matabeleland North, Midlands, Mashonaland West, and Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: February 18 – March 20, 2014

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process.

The following project documents are undergoing public comment:

Project name: Gola REDD Project
Region, Country: Eastern Province and Southern Province, Sierra Leone
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: January 6 – February 5, 2014

Project name: Restoring a Legacy at Red River National Wildlife Refuge
Region, Country: Louisiana, USA
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: January 31 – March 2, 2014

Project name: Restoring a Forest Legacy at Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge
Region, Country: Kansas, USA
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: January 31 – March 2, 2014

Project name: Evio Kuiñaje Ese Eja Cuana to mitigate climate change, Madre de Dios- Perú
Region, Country: Madre de Dios Region, Province Tambopata, Peru
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: January 22 – February 21, 2014

Project name: Reforestation with rubber on degraded lands of Colombia
Region, Country: Vichada Department, Colombia
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: February 7 – March 9, 2014

Project name: Cordillera Azul National Park REDD Project
Region, Country: San Martín, Ucayali, Huánuco, and Loreto, Peru
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: February 7 – March 9, 2014

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process.

The following project documents are undergoing public comment:

Project name: Gola REDD Project
Region, Country: Eastern Province and Southern Province, Sierra Leone
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: January 6 – February 5, 2014

Project name: Rewetting of Tropical Peat Swamp Forest in Sebangan National Park
Region, Country: Central Kalimantan, Indonesia
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: December 16, 2013 – January 15, 2014

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process.

The Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance is pleased to announce the release of the Third Edition of the Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards and accompanying Rules for the Use of the CCB Standards following a yearlong participatory and inclusive revision process.

The new Third Edition

• showcases smallholder- and community-led projects with equitable benefit sharing
• enables the use of programmatic approaches to allow expansion to new project areas
• clarifies the requirements for stakeholder engagement including free, prior and informed consent
• promotes gender equality and empowerment
• simplifies the requirements for demonstrating net positive climate benefits and facilitates combination with a carbon accounting standard, and
• strengthens the Gold Level requirements for projects that generate exceptional benefits for climate change adaptation, for communities and for biodiversity.

The Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards provide comprehensive and objective criteria to identify and promote land management projects that effectively address social and environmental risks and deliver significant benefits for the climate, for local communities and for biodiversity. They have become the most widely used multiple benefit standard for carbon projects since their launch in 2005.

The new Third Edition and accompanying Rules for the Use of the CCB Standards have been developed over twelve months through a participatory and inclusive process including two 60-day public comment periods and the support of a CCB Standards Committee representing a balance of people potentially affected by the standards or with relevant expert knowledge. We would like to thank all the people who participated in the revision process, providing valuable feedback, input and support.

The new CCB Standards Third Edition and Rules are available for download at www.climate-standards.org. They are currently available in English and will be available in other languages in 2014.

See the Press Release.

See the Launch PowerPoint presentation.

CCB Standards Third Edition Launch Webinar from CCBA on Vimeo.

The Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance is pleased to invite you to join a webinar for the launch of the CCB Standards Third Edition on Thursday 12th December 10-11 AM Eastern Standard Time. To register for the webinar and receive your personal login details, click here.

The new Third Edition

• showcases smallholder- and community-led projects with equitable benefit sharing
• allows the use of programmatic approaches to include new project areas
• clarifies the requirements for stakeholder engagement including free, prior and informed consent
• promotes gender equality and empowerment
• simplifies the requirements for demonstrating net positive climate benefits and facilitates combination with a carbon accounting standard, and
• strengthens the Gold Level requirements for projects that generate exceptional benefits for climate change adaptation, for communities and for biodiversity.

The launch webinar on 12th December 10-11am ET will include

• an overview of the CCB Standards Third Edition and the new Rules for the Use of the CCB Standards by the CCBA Secretariat
• a community-led project perspective by Vasco van Roosmalen of Equipe de Conservação da Amazônia (ECAM)
• a private sector and project proponent perspective by Christian Dannecker of South Pole Group
• an auditor perspective by Jeffrey Hayward of Rainforest Alliance.

The Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards provide comprehensive and objective criteria to identify and promote land management projects that effectively address social and environmental risks and deliver significant benefits to local communities, biodiversity and the global climate. They have become the most widely used multiple benefit standard for carbon projects since their launch in 2005.

The new Third Edition and accompanying Rules for the Use of the CCB Standards have been developed over twelve months through a participatory and inclusive process including two 60-day public comment periods and the support of a CCB Standards Committee representing a balance of people potentially affected by the standards or with relevant expert knowledge.

Please visit www.climate-standards.org to learn more about the CCB Standards and the revision process, and to download a copy of the new Third Edition after the release.

The following project documents are undergoing public comment:

Project name: Kulera Landscape REDD+ Project for Co-Managed Protected Areas, Malawi
Region, Country: Northern & Central Regions, Malawi
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation & Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: November 5 – December 5, 2013 (PDD) & November 22 – December 22, 2013

Project name: Promoting Sustainable Development Through Natural Rubber Tree Plantations in Guatemala
Region, Country: Izabal and Alta Verapaz, Guatemala
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: November 26 – December 26, 2013

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process.

Joanna Durbin, CCBA Director, participated in the following side events at the UNFCCC COP19 in Warsaw:

1. Getting REDD+ Off The Ground: Challenges and opportunities

Organized by CIFOR on 15th November (10.00-12.00 Column Hall, University of Warsaw), the objective of this event was to provide a platform for discussion on implementation challenges experienced by REDD+ sub-national initiatives, and what can be done to overcome these. Joanna Durbin gave a key note speech about REDD+ challenges and opportunities from experience of social and environmental standards,

More information, copies of the presentations and a video of the full event are available here.

A summary of the event is available at IISD’s On the Side and IISD also prepared a short video about the event

ENV Side Event Coverage: Warsaw Climate Conference: ‪Getting REDD+ Off the Ground: Challenges and Opportunities‬ from IISD Reporting Services on Vimeo.

2. Evolving Requirements and Solutions for REDD+ Monitoring, with Community Focus

Organized by University of Twente, Wageningen University, Global Canopy Programme and Global Observation for Forest Cover and Land Dynamics (GOFC/GOLD) on 12th November (16.45-18.15 Room Torun at the COP venue), this event provided information about different monitoring requirements for REDD+ (sub-national performance, agriculture, benefit sharing, and particularly community involvement) by researchers and technical experts in the context of different country circumstances. Joanna Durbin spoke about community participation in safeguards monitoring for REDD+. Presentations are available here.

The following project documents are undergoing public comment:

Project name: Kulera Landscape REDD+ Project for Co-Managed Protected Areas, Malawi
Region, Country: Northern & Central Regions, Malawi
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Documentation
Public comment period: November 5 – December 5, 2013

Project name: Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve REDD Project
Region, Country: Central Kalimantan, Indonesia
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: October 15 – November 14, 2013

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process.

Gender Integration in REDD+: From Promises to Practice

A recent article published by Ecosystem Marketplace highlights the importance of gender mainstreaming in REDD+ and takes stock of progress in recent months, including with the introduction of practical tools and standards such as the CCB Standards Third Edition revision and REDD+SES. To read the full article by Amanda Bradley, click here.

The Oddar Meanchey REDD+ Project is the first in the world to complete verification of emission reductions under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and achieving verification of all three Gold levels under the CCB Standards. For more information on the Oddar Meanchey REDD+ project, please visit the project page or read Terra Global Capital’s press release.

The CCBA welcomes any final comments on the second draft of the Third Edition of the CCB Standards and draft Rules for Use of the CCB Standards.  The deadline for submission is 29th September 2013.

Please visit the CCB Standards Revision page to access the drafts and submit comments.

The following project documents are undergoing public comment:

Project name: Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation in Seima Protection Forest
Region, Country: Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Document
Public comment period: September 12 – October 11, 2013

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process.

Rainforest Alliance and the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA) are pleased to provide new training materials aimed at better assisting carbon project developers and community-based carbon project proponents in interpreting and implementing the criteria of the Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards.

The new PowerPoint training materials can be used in a workshop setting or for individual self-guided use and provide both an introduction to the CCB Standards Second Edition and in-depth guidance on each of the major sections of the standard – climate, community and biodiversity. They are designed to highlight commonalities amongst these sections, as well as to drill-down into addressing obstacles that a project may face in meeting specific criteria.

To download the new training materials, please visit our Documents page.

Training Materials from CCBA on Vimeo.

The CCBA invites comments on the draft Third Edition of the CCB Standards (31st July 2013) and draft Rules for Use of the CCB Standards (31st July 2013) from members of the public over 60 days until 29th September 2013.

Drawing on substantial feedback from the CCB Standards users and others since their previous revision in 2008, the CCB Standards are being strengthened and streamlined.

The Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards identify high quality land-based carbon projects that adopt best practices to generate significant benefits for local communities and biodiversity. They have become the leading multiple-benefit standard for land-based carbon projects since their launch in 2005.

The goals of the revision of the CCB Standards are

• to incorporate substantial feedback received from current users and others to ensure that the CCB Standards remain robust, practical and continue to meet the demands of the users, and
• to facilitate the access of small-holder and community-led projects to carbon finance.

The terms of reference for the revision were published in November 2012, followed by the creation of a multi-stakeholder Standards Committee. The CCBA secretariat undertook a range of research and consultations to seek input for the revision, including case studies and a workshop with smallholder- and community-led projects in Addis Ababa in October 2012, and a survey of current CCB Standards users in January 2013. The first draft of the Third Edition of the CCB Standards (22nd March 2013) was launched for public comments on 22nd March 2012 for 60 days. Comments received have been addressed in this second draft of the Third Edition of the CCB Standards (31 July 2013) and we are inviting further comments during a second public comment period for 60 days until 29th September. Comments are also invited on the draft Rules for the Use of CCB Standards until 29th September.

You can download the drafts of the Third Edition of the CCB Standards and the Rules for Use of the CCB Standards and obtain details of the public comments received during the first public comment period along with a brief explanation of how these comments have been handled by CCBA, at http://www.climate-standards.org/ccb-standards/ccb-standards-revision/. The website also has further information about how to submit comments.

The following project document are undergoing public comment:

Project name: The Darkwoods Forest Carbon Project
Region, Country: British Columbia, Canada
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Document
Public comment period: July 18 – August 17, 2013

Project name: The Valparaiso Project
Region, Country: Acre, Brazil
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Document
Public comment period: July 18 – August 17, 2013

Project name: The Russas Project
Region, Country: Acre, Brazil
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Document
Public comment period: July 18 – August 17, 2013

Project name: The Purus Project: A Tropical Forest Conservation Project in Acre, Brazil
Region, Country: Acre, Brazil
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: July 12 – August 11, 2013

Project name: Reduced Emissions from Deforestation in the Ambositra – Vondrozo Forest Corridor (COFAV) – Madagascar Project
Region, Country: Ambositra-Vondrozo, Madagascar
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Document
Public comment period: July 10 – August 9, 2013

Project name: Abote Community-Managed Reforestation Project
Region, Country: Oromia, Ethiopia
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Document
Public comment period: June 24- July 24, 2013

Project name: Buffelsdraai Landfill Site Community Reforestation Project
Region, Country: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Document
Public comment period: June 24 – July 24, 2013

Project name: REDD+ de la Concesión para Conservación Alto Huayabamba (CCAH) Project
Region, Country: San Martín, Peru
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design DOcument
Public comment period: June 28 – July 28, 2013

Project name: New Leaf Carbon Project
Region, Country: Tasmania, Australia
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Document and Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: June 28 – July 28, 2013

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process.

The following project document are undergoing public comment:

Project name: Abote Community-Managed Reforestation Project
Region, Country: Oromia, Ethiopia
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Document
Public comment period: June 24- July 24, 2013

Project name: Buffelsdraai Landfill Site Community Reforestation Project
Region, Country: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Document
Public comment period: June 24 – July 24, 2013

Project name: REDD+ de la Concesión para Conservación Alto Huayabamba (CCAH) Project
Region, Country: San Martín, Peru
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design DOcument
Public comment period: June 28 – July 28, 2013

Project name: New Leaf Carbon Project
Region, Country: Tasmania, Australia
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Document and Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: June 28 – July 28, 2013

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process.

Click here to see the press release.

Joanna Durbin, Director of the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance, will be hosting a ‘CCB Standards’ stand at the expo, as well as speaking at the following side events:

Wednesday, 29 May:

• 13:00 – 14:00, Non-Carbon Benefits: Pushing the Envelope.  Hosted by the World Bank (Room 4)

Thursday, 30 May:

• 13:00 – 14:00, Beyond Carbon: Emerging Market Tools for Social Responsibility.  Hosted by Ecosystem Marketplace (Room 11)
• 15:30 – 16:30, All-Encompassing REDD+: From Projects to Integrated Jurisdictional Programs.  Hosted by VCS (Room 8)
• 16:45 – 17:45, Getting to Zero by 2020: Catalyzing On-the-Ground Investment to Reduce Deforestation.  Hosted by Conservation International (Room 11)

Please come and find out more about the latest developments for the CCB Standards, the leading social and environmental standards for land-based carbon projects, and the REDD+ Social & Environmental Standards (REDD+ SES) for jurisdictional government-led REDD+ programs.

The CCBA invites comments on the draft Third Edition of the CCB Standards (22nd March 2013) from members of the public over 60 days until 21^st May. 

Drawing on substantial feedback from the CCB Standards users and others since their previous revision in 2008, the CCB Standards are being strengthened and streamlined.

The Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards identify high quality land-based carbon projects that adopt best practices to generate significant benefits for local communities and biodiversity.  They have become the leading multiple-benefit standard for land-based carbon projects since their launch in 2005.

The goals of the revision of the CCB Standards are

• to incorporate substantial feedback received from current users and others to ensure that the CCB Standards remain robust, practical and continue to meet the demands of the users, and
• to facilitate the access of small-holder and community-led projects to carbon finance.

The terms of reference for the revision were published in November 2012, followed by the creation of a multi-stakeholder Standards Committee. The CCBA secretariat has undertaken a range of research and consultations to seek input for the revision, including case studies and a workshop with smallholder- and community-led projects in Addis Ababa in October 2012, and a survey of current CCB Standards users in January 2012.  This draft Third Edition of the CCB Standards (22^nd March 2013) was prepared by the CCBA secretariat with substantial input from the CCB Standards Committee.

You can download the draft Third Edition of the CCB Standards, and find further information about the revision and how to submit comments at http://www.climate-standards.org/ccb-standards/ccb-standards-revision/

The CCBA would appreciate input from any project proponents planning on using the CCB Standards.  To complete the questionnaire, click here.

The following project document are undergoing public comment:

Project name: Lower Zambezi REDD+ Project
Region, Country: Rufunsa District, Zambia
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Document
Public comment period: March 13- April 12, 2013

Project name: Empresas Públicas de Medellin REDD+ Project
Region, Country: Antioquia, Colombia
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Document
Public comment period: April 5 – May 5, 2013

Project name: Niassa Forest Project
Region, Country: Niassa, Mozambique
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Document
Public comment period: April 3- May 3, 2013

The following project document are undergoing public comment:

Project name: The Juruá and Carauari REDD Project
Region, Country: Amazonas, Brazil
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Document
Public comment period: January 30- March 1, 2013

Project name: The Kasigau Corridor REDD Project Phase I – The Rukinga Sanctuary
Region, Country: Coast Province, Kenya
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: January 25 – February 24, 2013

Project name: The Kasigau Corridor REDD Project Phase II – The Community Ranches
Region, Country: Coast Province, Kenya
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: January 25 – February 24, 2013

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process.

The CCBA would like to hear from you about your experience in using the CCB Standards and how the standards can be further strengthened and streamlined to ensure that the CCB Standards remain robust, practical and continue to meet your needs. We request you to take this survey at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dENJcVNGTTM5bEYxV1U2N0NlSE9YWGc6MQ by  1st February 2013. This will be very useful for feeding into the revision process.

The CCBA is undertaking a revision of the CCB Standards in 2013 including modifications to support smallholder- and community-led projects. This revision provides an opportunity to strengthen the quality assurance provided by the standards and to improve the effectiveness of the standards in highlighting the special qualities of different kinds of projects.

We have put together an initial draft of list of issues, identified based on feedback received so far from users and experts and from a series of studies and a workshop undertaken by CCBA in collaboration with Nature Conservation Research Center  Ghana, and Rainforest Alliance to understand the specific challenges and opportunities of smallholder- and community-led projects (http://www.climate-standards.org/ccb-standards/ccb-standards-for-smallholders-initiative/).

Questions can be sent to:

The following project document are undergoing public comment:

Project name: TIST Program in India CCB-001
Region, Country: Tamil Nadu State, India
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Document & Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: January 4- February 3, 2013

Project name: Afforestation/Reforestation on Degraded Lands in Southwest Sichuan, China
Region, Country: Southwest Sichuan, China
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Design Document
Public comment period: January 8 – February 7, 2013

Project name: Reduced Emissions from Degradation and Deforestation in Community Forests – Oddar Meanchey, Cambodia
Region, Country: Oddar Meanchey, Cambodia
Documents undergoing public comment: Project Implementation Report
Public comment period: January 3 – February 1, 2013

Comments are invited from the public about whether these projects meet the requirements of the CCB Standards. Comments received will be considered by the auditor during the validation and verification process

The TIST Program in Kenya CCB-004 and TIST Program in Uganda CCB-002 are undergoing public comment until Dec 27 & 29.

CCB Standards are undergoing revision in 2013 drawing on their significant uptake and influence in the market and substantial feedback from current users and others about the use of the standards. This will ensure that the CCB Standards remain robust, practical and continue to meet the demands of the users.

For further details and Standards Committee nominations click here.

To view the report please use the following link.

All projects can be found on our project index page.

All projects can be found on our project index page.

These documents can be found on the Documents page.

All projects can be found on the project index page.

Click here to see the press release.

Click here for CCB policy announcement concerning project double counting.

Click here to download the REDD Project Financial Feasibility Tool.