INTRODUCTION
The SMURF Carbon Standard has been developed within the framework of the SMURF project (Sustainable Management models and value chains for small Forests), with the objective of supporting high-integrity carbon removal activities in the land-use sector, specifically:
- Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR)
- Improved Forest Management (IFM)
The SMURF Carbon Standard can be downloaded here for consultation:
SMURF Carbon Standard
The Standard aims to fully align with the European Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) and its core QU.A.L.ITY criteria (Quantification, Additionality, Long-term storage, and Sustainability), ensuring that certified carbon removals are real and measurable, additional to business-as-usual, long-term and resilient and environmentally and socially sustainable.
The Standard is also informed by relevant international standards and guidance, including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) relevant standards, the Core Carbon Principles of the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM), and applicable guidance from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
To ensure transparency and robustness, the SMURF Standard is hereby submitted for public stakeholder consultation.
STANDARD SCOPE
The SMURF Standard covers land-based carbon removal projects, specifically afforestation, reforestation and revegetation (ARR) and improved forest management (IFM) activities. Its scope includes the generation of verified carbon removal tokens representing quantified CO₂ removals, as well as the awarding of labels that recognize biodiversity co-benefits and the participation of smallholders.
The scheme is designed to operate in line with the EU Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Framework, ensuring robust monitoring, reporting, and verification, and it operates within the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM), enabling the issuance and use of carbon removal units by market. participants.
CONSULTATION PURPOSE
The purpose of this consultation is to:
- Gather feedback on the technical design and integrity of the Standard.
- Evaluate its practical feasibility for implementation, particularly for small forest owners, project operators, and certification bodies.
- Identify potential risks, gaps, and improvement areas.
Feedback received will be reviewed and may inform revisions to the Standard. Please check
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CONSULTATION SCOPEStakeholders are invited to provide comments on all aspects of the Standard, including:
- Carbon monitoring approaches.
- Additionality and baseline rules.
- Permanence and risk management.
- Environmental and social safeguards.
- Stakeholders engagement.
- Governance & transparency.
- Practical implementation considerations.
HOW TO PROVIDE FEEDBACKStakeholders are invited to respond to the questionnaire below.
- Responses will be submitted electronically by filling up and sending this form.
- Respondents are encouraged to provide concise and evidence-based feedback, as relevant.
- There are two kind of questions: i) an open question about the Standard, where you can provide feedback about any aspect of the Standard; and ii) questions on specific sections and issues of the Standard. Respondents can chose which questions to answer.
- Choose an answer from option lists and provide further comments if relevant.
- Fields for open answers are included in all the questions to allow for additional input outside the specific issues indicated.
- All fields are optional, except those regarding personal information.
