Major
FSC-PRO-30-008 Procedure for Biodiversity Credits
The revision process for the Ecosystem Services Procedure began in October 2021 and was divided into two phases: Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 1 was completed with the publication of the Ecosystem Services Procedure <FSC-PRO-30-006 V2-0 Ecosystem Services Procedure: Impact Demonstration and Market Tools> in January 2025. Phase 2, which was initiated in September 2023, focused on the implementation of Motion 49/2021, FSC Ecosystem Service Procedure as a mitigation mechanism to meet global market demand for net-zero and net-positive targets.’ The conceptual phase of Phase 2 concluded with the need to develop a separate normative document, ‘Procedure for Biodiversity Credits’. This process page, therefore, outlines the key milestones related to the development of this procedure.
The objectives of this process are to:
- Develop a Procedure for Biodiversity Credits, including the methods for quantification, criteria and requirements. The ‘Procedure for Biodiversity Credits’ will be linked to Forest Management (FM) Certification, making FM Certification a prerequisite for utilizing this procedure. Additionally, the biodiversity credits generated will ensure that no harm is caused to biodiversity, with particular emphasis on the protection of rare, threatened, and endangered (RTE) species. The primary focus of this procedure is on biodiversity credits that aim to deliver additional, positive biodiversity outcomes. It does not cover biodiversity offsets, which are intended to compensate for residual negative impacts after all prior steps in the mitigation hierarchy have been applied. The biodiversity credits generated under this procedure shall not be used for offsetting purposes (Note: Biodiversity credits and biodiversity offsets are two different mechanisms with distinct requirements). Furthermore, secondary trading of biodiversity credits will be discouraged, and all credits will be required to be retired upon sale.
- Ensure alignment with the best available practices such as the high-level principles of the Biodiversity Credit Alliance (BCA).
- Strengthen FSC’s role in nature-positive contributions by creating additional biodiversity outcomes that align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, enhancing ecosystem resilience and supporting global conservation efforts.
- Enhance accessibility for FSC certificate holders to biodiversity credit markets by ensuring adherence to high-quality biodiversity credit criteria and requirements.
The ultimate purpose is to develop a framework that attracts sustainable finance, support forest managers for their positive impacts, maintain FSC integrity, and establish FSC as the leading certification framework for valuing all the benefits of responsible forest management.
Mohammad Qasim
ecosystemservices@fsc.org
- Maren Isabelle Burrows (Technical Expert)
- Stefanie Kaiser (Technical Expert)
- Ilka Thogmartin (Environmental Chamber: Sub-Chamber - North)
- Asger Strange Olesen (Economic Chamber: Sub-Chamber - North)
- Yamel Guadalupe Anaya Olguin (Social Chamber: Sub-Chamber - South)
Implementation of Motion 49 - High-quality carbon credits
Timeline
Interested stakeholders are encouraged to register according to their area of expertise related to biodiversity crediting projects:
Biodiversity Crediting Methodologies
Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting
and Verification (MMRV), including GIS/Remote Sensing
Social Safeguards (e.g., FPIC, benefit-sharing mechanisms, grievance redress, etc.)
Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC)
If interested, please register here.
The FSC International Board of Directors (BoD) has approved the establishment of a Sub-Chamber Balanced Working Group for the Development of Biodiversity Credits.
The members of the Working Group for Biodiversity Credits bring expertise related to biodiversity crediting schemes and projects, in-cluding Biodiversity Crediting Methodologies, MMRV, including GIS and Remote Sensing and Social Safeguards, such as FPIC, benefit-sharing mechanisms, and grievance redress, with a particular focus on the inclusion and participation of IPLCs.
FSC has opened a call for applications for Working Group members.
For the development of <FSC-PRO-30-008 Procedure for Biodiversity Credits>. The Terms of Reference (ToR) can be found here. Please use the following documents for applying;
Please send the application documents to Mohammad Qasim by July 23, 2025 (Process Lead/Products Manager – Carbon and Biodiversity); ecosystemservices@fsc.org.