Forest Restoration Projects in Ghana, United States and Uruguay Earn Independent Carbon Offset Validation from SCS Global Services

EMERYVILLE, Calif., March 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Projects on three continents that will absorb carbon dioxide by planting trees on more than 30,000 hectares of degraded lands have been given the green light, based on independent validations conducted by SCS Global Services (SCS). The six carbon offset projects, located in Ghana, the United States and Uruguay, will result in the generation of saleable carbon credits.

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In Uruguay, three projects –the Forteko, El Arriero, and Intercontinental Timber Asociacion Agraria Afforestation projects – will establish tree plantations on a total of 23,849 hectares of land that were previously used for grazing by beef cattle. Carbosur, the project proponent working with the landowners, aims to produce high-value pine and eucalyptus timber products from the forests. Project validation was achieved under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS). In addition, forestry practices on the Foreteko and El Arriero forestlands are certified under the Forest Stewardship Council® standard for responsible forestry. 

In central Ghana, SCS validated and verified FORM Ghana's Reforestation of Degraded Forest Reserves, also under the VCS scheme. The project will reforest 8,000 hectares in the Asubima Forest Reserve, which is severely degraded due to overexploitation, bush fires, and conversion to agricultural land.

Two US projects earned validation under the American Carbon Registry standard. The Angeles Project in California will replant 964 acres of the Angeles National Forest that was severely burned in 2009. A project in the San Juan National Forest in Colorado will restore a 250-acre spruce forest that was severely burned in 2003.

"These exemplary projects are not only playing a key role in addressing climate change, but are simultaneously helping to revitalize lands that have been badly damaged," said Dr. Robert J. Hrubes, Executive Vice President of SCS. "We are excited to see the growing market demand for these projects across the globe."

SCS Global Services (SCS) (formerly Scientific Certification Systems) has been providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for nearly 30 years. Its programs span a wide cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, retail, and more. SCS provides accredited services under a wide range of internationally recognized certification programs. SCS is a chartered benefit corporation and Certified B Corp™, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. FSC license code FSC-A000521. www.scsglobalservices.com

Contact: Nick Kordesch, 510-452-8035, [email protected]

SOURCE SCS Global Services