<div dir="ltr">For urgent action - <div>Dear GCG members</div><div>(and sorry for cross posting)</div><div>Below please see an opportunity for us to influence the development of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol as it relates to land emissions and sinks. </div><div>Please do share this with your networks. The more people comment the better. Deadline not specified but the sooner the better. </div><div><br></div><div>Best regards<br clear="all"><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr">*...*...*...*<div>Dr. Maryam Niamir-Fuller<div>Co-Chair of International Support Group for the IYRP</div><div><br></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:10pt;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial">Support the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 <a href="https://www.iyrp.info" target="_blank">https://www.iyrp.info</a></span></i><i><span style="font-size:10pt"><u></u><u></u></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black"></span><i><span style="font-size:10pt;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><img width="96" height="96" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/mail-sig/AIorK4yWYhh9kZ7xfI-g6-kKY9y3w3Bj3Jj_07phJvL0qB6vxP-CR-68g7As05LUe-4D3TAP99ac7gk"> </span></i><i><span style="font-size:10pt;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><img width="96" height="62" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/mail-sig/AIorK4zHpHERzU8YMLGBIDwn6RqnSt54KgD0k-1ZrAz6YBwd2MxPz0gebaVvAyF8yQiqzxO9t65NNgE"></span></i><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black"><br></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p></div></div></div></div></div><br><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Maryam Niamir-Fuller</strong> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:mniafull2@gmail.com">mniafull2@gmail.com</a>></span><br>Date: Thu, Dec 8, 2022 at 9:52 AM<br>Subject: Fwd: Fw: afforestation corporate engagement<br>To: Jurgen Hoth <<a href="mailto:jurgenhoth1521@gmail.com">jurgenhoth1521@gmail.com</a>>, Carlos Martorell <<a href="mailto:martorell@ciencias.unam.mx">martorell@ciencias.unam.mx</a>>, Mekdaschi, Rima (CDE) <<a href="mailto:rima.mekdaschi-studer@unibe.ch">rima.mekdaschi-studer@unibe.ch</a>>, Tim Scott <<a href="mailto:tim.scott@undp.org">tim.scott@undp.org</a>>, SEVA <<a href="mailto:vivekseva@gmail.com">vivekseva@gmail.com</a>>, Martina Fleckenstein <<a href="mailto:mfleckenstein@wwfint.org">mfleckenstein@wwfint.org</a>>, kirk <<a href="mailto:kirkaolson@hotmail.com">kirkaolson@hotmail.com</a>>, Ykhanbai Hijaba <<a href="mailto:y.hijaba@gmail.com">y.hijaba@gmail.com</a>>, Fagouris (<a href="mailto:fagouris@gmail.com">fagouris@gmail.com</a>) <<a href="mailto:fagouris@gmail.com">fagouris@gmail.com</a>>, Ariell Ahearn Ligham <<a href="mailto:ariell.ahearn@ouce.ox.ac.uk">ariell.ahearn@ouce.ox.ac.uk</a>>, Carleton, Elliot (ILRI) <<a href="mailto:e.carleton@cgiar.org">e.carleton@cgiar.org</a>>, Karina Berg <<a href="mailto:karinaberg@wwf.org.br">karinaberg@wwf.org.br</a>>, Ian Scoones <<a href="mailto:I.Scoones@ids.ac.uk">I.Scoones@ids.ac.uk</a>>, Briske, David D <<a href="mailto:dbriske@tamu.edu">dbriske@tamu.edu</a>>, VelascoGil, Gregorio (AGAG) <<a href="mailto:Gregorio.VelascoGil@fao.org">Gregorio.VelascoGil@fao.org</a>>, <<a href="mailto:abdul.khan@ouce.ox.ac.uk">abdul.khan@ouce.ox.ac.uk</a>>, Tungaa SG <<a href="mailto:tungaa.sg@gmail.com">tungaa.sg@gmail.com</a>>, Ann Waters-Bayer <<a href="mailto:waters-bayer@web.de">waters-bayer@web.de</a>>, Flintan, Fiona (ILRI) <<a href="mailto:F.Flintan@cgiar.org">F.Flintan@cgiar.org</a>>, MAGERO Chris <<a href="mailto:Chris.Magero@iucn.org">Chris.Magero@iucn.org</a>>, Igshaan Samuels <<a href="mailto:isamuels@uwc.ac.za">isamuels@uwc.ac.za</a>><br>Cc: Hannah Birge <<a href="mailto:hannah.birge@tnc.org">hannah.birge@tnc.org</a>>, Carolyn Baldwin <<a href="mailto:carolbaldwin@ksu.edu">carolbaldwin@ksu.edu</a>><br></div><br><br><div dir="ltr">Dear Members of the Afforestation in Rangelands Working Group<div><br></div><div>Please see below an opportunity to comment on the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol for the Land Sector being developed by WRI and WBCSD. The GHG Protocol is the most commonly used standard/guidance for corporations to verify and certify their emissions reductions. There is an opportunity to comment on it. Carolyn Baldwin (a member of our Afforestation Working Group) brings it to our attention and Hannah Birge of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) makes a suggestion on how to provide comments. And I am also pleased to say that Hannah is now the newest member of this Working Group. </div><div><br clear="all"><div><div dir="ltr" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr">*...*...*...*<div>Dr. Maryam Niamir-Fuller<div>Co-Chair of International Support Group for the IYRP</div><div><br></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:10pt;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial">Support the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 <a href="https://www.iyrp.info" target="_blank">https://www.iyrp.info</a></span></i><i><span style="font-size:10pt"><u></u><u></u></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black"></span><i><span style="font-size:10pt;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><img width="96" height="96" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/mail-sig/AIorK4yWYhh9kZ7xfI-g6-kKY9y3w3Bj3Jj_07phJvL0qB6vxP-CR-68g7As05LUe-4D3TAP99ac7gk"> </span></i><i><span style="font-size:10pt;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><img width="96" height="62" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/mail-sig/AIorK4zHpHERzU8YMLGBIDwn6RqnSt54KgD0k-1ZrAz6YBwd2MxPz0gebaVvAyF8yQiqzxO9t65NNgE"></span></i><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black"><br></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p></div></div></div></div></div><br><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Carolyn Baldwin</strong> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:carolbaldwin@ksu.edu" target="_blank">carolbaldwin@ksu.edu</a>></span><br>Date: Fri, Dec 2, 2022 at 11:02 AM<br>Subject: Fw: afforestation corporate engagement<br>To: Maryam Niamir-Fuller <<a href="mailto:mniafull2@gmail.com" target="_blank">mniafull2@gmail.com</a>><br></div><br><br><div>
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Maryam-</div>
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Please see the email below and if you think it's appropriate, share this opportunity with the group to comment on
<span>GHG Protocol <i>
Land Sector and Removals Guidance</i> <i>– Draft for Pilot Testing and Review</i>.
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Link: <a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=H6xrR7I22UqGmc2mutH4YkTo9xq9VRpCteO0lzUos9hUMFBQREg2WVBTS1hLNVcwNERGNEFUQUJKSSQlQCN0PWcu" id="m_8250879739730357039m_-4689759832540054153m_-604288845855658962m_-7957160435954743235m_8374268684600104323LPlnk849248" target="_blank">
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=H6xrR7I22UqGmc2mutH4YkTo9xq9VRpCteO0lzUos9hUMFBQREg2WVBTS1hLNVcwNERGNEFUQUJKSSQlQCN0PWcu</a></div>
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Carol<br>
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<p style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:black">Carol Baldwin, Ph.D.</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p><p style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:black">Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Community Vitality</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p><div id="m_8250879739730357039m_-4689759832540054153m_-604288845855658962m_-7957160435954743235m_8374268684600104323x_x_Signature" style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><div id="m_8250879739730357039m_-4689759832540054153m_-604288845855658962m_-7957160435954743235m_8374268684600104323x_x_divtagdefaultwrapper"><div name="x_x_divtagdefaultwrapper"><div name="x_x_divtagdefaultwrapper"><p style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Umberger 103, 1612 Claflin Road</span><span style="font-size:10pt"></span></p></div><div name="x_x_divtagdefaultwrapper"><p style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Kansas State University</span><span style="font-size:10pt"></span></p></div><div name="x_x_divtagdefaultwrapper"><p style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Manhattan, KS 66506</span><span style="font-size:10pt"></span></p></div><div name="x_x_divtagdefaultwrapper"><p style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:black">785.532.0416</span><span style="font-size:10pt"></span></p></div><div name="x_x_divtagdefaultwrapper"><p style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(0,111,201)"><a href="mailto:carolbaldwin@ksu.edu" target="_blank">carolbaldwin@ksu.edu</a></span><span style="font-size:10pt"></span></p></div><div name="x_x_divtagdefaultwrapper"><p style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(0,111,201)"><img id="m_8250879739730357039m_-4689759832540054153m_-604288845855658962m_-7957160435954743235m_8374268684600104323x_x_Picture_x0020_1" width="251" height="55" border="0" src="cid:184ed078f98546e3071" style="width:2.6145in;height:0.5729in"></span></p></div></div></div></div>
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<div id="m_8250879739730357039m_-4689759832540054153m_-604288845855658962m_-7957160435954743235m_8374268684600104323divRplyFwdMsg" dir="ltr"><font style="font-size:11pt" face="Calibri, sans-serif" color="#000000"><b>From:</b> Hannah Birge <<a href="mailto:hannah.birge@TNC.ORG" target="_blank">hannah.birge@TNC.ORG</a>><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, December 2, 2022 8:58 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Carolyn Baldwin <<a href="mailto:carolbaldwin@ksu.edu" target="_blank">carolbaldwin@ksu.edu</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Heidi Mehl <heidi.mehl@TNC.ORg>; <a href="mailto:bobermeyer@tnc.org" target="_blank">bobermeyer@tnc.org</a> <<a href="mailto:bobermeyer@tnc.org" target="_blank">bobermeyer@tnc.org</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: afforestation corporate engagement</font>
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<span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Hi Carolyn,</span></span></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> </span></span></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Quick request. Would you please navigate to the this
<a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=H6xrR7I22UqGmc2mutH4YkTo9xq9VRpCteO0lzUos9hUMFBQREg2WVBTS1hLNVcwNERGNEFUQUJKSSQlQCN0PWcu" target="_blank">
link</a>, which is the comment form for Green House Gas Protocol’s Land Sector and Removals draft guidance, and leave a remark re: afforestation and grasslands? Feel free to copy paste what I wrote, and to pass this email along to anyone who might be interested
in also submitting a comment. They can be from anywhere on earth and from any type of entity. I have included a copy of the offending image at the end of this email FYI. Thank you
</span></span><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Apple Color Emoji"">😊</span></span><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">!</span></span></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> </span></span></p>
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Chapter 7</p>
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<b>Comment:</b> We request an amendment to Figure 7.1, entitled "Land Use Categories and Subcategories, and Relationship to Accounting Approaches," which shows a grassland to forest conversion scenario as “land use change with carbon stock gain.” We request
that the grassland to forest conversion scenario should instead be classified as “land use change with carbon stock losses.”<span> </span></p>
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In virtually all cases, the transition of native (i.e., pre-conversion land use) grasslands to savannahs and forests results in a material net loss of ecosystem services, including long term (>15 yr) carbon storage, as afforested grassland systems are prone
to fire related carbon losses. As such, native grassland to forest conversation should not be considered a legitimate pathway for an entity seeking to report reduced emissions according to GHGP standards.<span> </span></p>
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A small sample of the relevant scientific literature supporting this assertion can be found at <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1365-2664.14288" target="_blank">https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1365-2664.14288</a> and <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature00910" target="_blank">https://www.nature.com/articles/nature00910</a>.<span> </span></p>
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Hannah Birge writes: </p>
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<span style="color:black">I’m an agricultural scientist with The Nature Conservancy. Part of my purview is keeping abreast of opportunities in the land sector for GHG benefits (offsets and Scope 3). </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"></span></p>
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<span style="color:black">Through conversations with colleagues and external stakeholders, a question about af</span><span style="color:#070706;background:#ffee94">forest</span><span style="color:black">ation has repeatedly come up. Specifically, whether or
not af</span><span style="color:#070706;background:#ffee94">forest</span><span style="color:black">ation of grasslands could legitimately generate offsets. To be clear, grassland af</span><span style="color:#070706;background:#ffee94">forest</span><span style="color:black">ation
is something TNC is <i>not </i>promoting – quite the opposite. In addition to threatening an already imperiled ecosystem, af</span><span style="color:#070706;background:#ffee94">forest</span><span style="color:black">ation of grasslands may lead to a net
neutral or even decline in ecosystem carbon, especially over the long run as grasslands are fire-prone systems. I am happy to share the growing volume of literature to support this point, if it would be helpful.</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"></span></p>
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<span style="color:black">My objective in reaching out is to see if we (my immediate team and some stakeholders at Kansas State University) could provide updated language in your grassland and relevant </span><span style="color:#070706;background:#ffee94">forest</span><span style="color:black">ry* </span><span style="color:#070706;background:#ffee94">protocol</span><span style="color:black">s
to make clear that, in most cases, grassland af</span><span style="color:#070706;background:#ffee94">forest</span><span style="color:black">ation would not be an appropriate practice for generating credible </span><span style="color:#070706;background:#ffee94">forest</span><span style="color:black">ry
carbon offsets. This finding would likely shake on its own out as project developers make predictions about carbon outcomes, because the scientific literature points to negligible carbon gains, and even potential losses, from grassland af</span><span style="color:#070706;background:#ffee94">forest</span><span style="color:black">ation
over the longer (>20 year) term. We still think that adding language about grassland af</span><span style="color:#070706;background:#ffee94">forest</span><span style="color:black">ation in your </span><span style="color:#070706;background:#ffee94">protocol</span><span style="color:black">s
would alleviate concerns from the conservation community while creating efficiency for project developers weighing practice options. I’ve highlighted relevant areas where we might add language in the pasted screenshots of the </span><span style="color:#070706;background:#ffee94">protocol</span><span style="color:black">s
at the end of this email.</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"></span></p>
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<span style="color:black">Please let me know if you’re open to having a larger discussion.</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"></span></p>
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<span style="color:black">Thanks so much for considering our request,</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"></span></p>
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<span style="color:black">Hannah</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"></span></p>
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<span style="color:black">*In much of the non-cropland US Great Plains, tree canopy cover is already at or above 10%. I think many ecologists would consider these grasslands in transition. So, at the very least, the 10% threshold is probably where we’d want
to make a distinction for this very specific situation of native grassland af</span><span style="color:#070706;background:#ffee94">forest</span><span style="color:black">ation.</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"></span></p>
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