Carbon finance for copra conversion to native forest
NCC assessed the potential for carbon markets to help finance the conversion of abandoned copra plantations to native forest, with a focus on restoration opportunities in the Marshall Islands.
Across Pacific Island nations, abandoned copra plantations present opportunities for restoration to native forest, but securing sustainable finance for this transition remains a key challenge.
The Nature Conservancy engaged Alluvium International, working with Natural Capital and Climate (NCC) and EcoFutures, to assess whether carbon and biodiversity credits could help fund the restoration of abandoned copra plantations to native forest in the Pacific, with a focus on the Marshall Islands.
NCC led the carbon market component of the work. We assessed market demand and pricing, the Marshall Islands’ eligibility for voluntary carbon standards, available evidence on baseline carbon stocks, additionality requirements, and the governance and land tenure issues that could affect project development.
The work found that carbon finance could support restoration in the region, but feasibility will depend on robust carbon accounting, suitable project design and clear arrangements for land tenure, carbon rights and benefit sharing. The analysis provided The Nature Conservancy with a practical basis for considering the next steps for carbon-funded restoration in Pacific atoll environments.
