Carbon Regulation Research for Smallholder Agriculture and Agroforestry Projects

The aim of the study, commissioned by Rabobank was to assess the potential for private sector development of voluntary carbon market projects, particularly those relating to smallholder agricultural land management (ALM) and agroforestry interventions, in 31 priority countries. National context and the following aspects of eligibility and project viability, were considered in each case: 1) Policy and NDC Screening – analysis of the most recent Nationally Determined Contributions submitted to the UNFCCC; 2) Carbon Regulations – assessment of published regulations and laws, official statements and guidance, as well as expert opinion, where available, related to the generation and trading of carbon credits and/or mitigation outcomes; 3) Benefit Sharing or Allocation Agreements - review of existing arrangements pertaining to the sharing of mitigation outcomes and/or carbon revenues from the sale of carbon credits. 4) Demand-side Developments – analysis of relevant demand-side developments that may impact current and future ALM carbon projects, as well as highlighting reference and best practice examples of private sector project development.

Analysis of these elements contributed to Rabobank’s understanding of the enabling conditions and principal pathways open to project developers such as Rabobank and its affiliates, and the potential for marketing of smallholder-generated carbon credits from projects in different countries.

Photo: Smallholder Coffee Farmer and member of Solidaridad Latin America Nicaragua Project © Rabobank

Client: Rabobank

Period: Apr to Nov 2022