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From tonnes to trust: Tree-Nation’s end-to-end carbon certification system

Tree-Nation has built an integrated system that connects tree planting activities to measurable and traceable CO₂ impact over time.

Rather than relying on disconnected third parties, our approach links project design, implementation, monitoring, and credit issuance into a single, coherent system.

1. Methodology: defining how carbon is calculated

Each project follows a Tree-Nation methodology, which defines:

  • How CO₂ is estimated

  • The assumptions used (species, location, growth patterns)

  • The monitoring and verification approach

This creates a consistent framework for calculating and tracking carbon across all projects.

2. Validation and ex-ante crediting

Before planting begins:

  • The project is validated

  • Species, location, and planting design are defined

  • A CO₂ estimate is calculated (ex-ante) based on the methodology

This allows Tree-Nation to:

  • Issue carbon credits at validation for Foundation and Mission projects, or document CO2 estimates at validation for Nature, Forest Gardens, and Tree-Nation Methodology (Legacy) projects.

  • Use these credits to fund real tree planting activities

3. Project Design Document (PDDs): linking carbon to real planting sites

Each planting activity is structured through a Project Design Document (PDD).

The PO:

  • Defines a specific planting site

  • Links carbon estimates to real trees and locations

  • Acts as the operational unit for tracking and verification

This ensures that carbon claims are directly connected to on-the-ground implementation.

4. Implementation and data collection

Once planting begins:

  • Trees are planted by local partners

  • Activities are documented through:

    • Geo-tagged photos and planting evidence

    • Project reporting and updates

     

This creates the first layer of verifiable, site-level data.

5. Monitoring and verification over time

After planting, projects are continuously monitored through verification events:

  • Remote sensing (e.g. EVI) to track vegetation development

  • Ongoing reporting from project partners

  • On-site verification where applicable

For projects using the Foundation methodology:

  • Aboveground Carbon (AGC) approaches provide more precise carbon estimation

This ensures that carbon claims remain aligned with real project development over time.

6. Registry and traceability

All Tree-Nation projects are recorded in our internal registry, which tracks:

  • Carbon credit issuance and retirement for Foundation and Mission projects

  • CO2 attribution and estimates for Nature, Forest Gardens, and Tree-Nation Methodology (Legacy) projects

  • Project linkage (via PDDs)

  • Usage records across all projects

This ensures full traceability across the portfolio.

7. A system built for scale and transparency

By integrating all steps into one system, Tree-Nation ensures that:

  • Carbon estimates are methodology-based and consistent

  • Credits  and estimates are linked to real planting activities

  • Project performance is tracked over time

  • All data is progressively made accessible through the platform

8. Vertically integrated, third-party assured

Tree-Nation's system is vertically integrated. Methodology, validation, planting, monitoring, and registry sit inside one framework we build and maintain. Every step of the certification is transparent and directly auditable.

From year 5 after a project is certified, Tree-Nation commits to independent third-party assurance of the certification. This closes the SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2.0 C42.3.d criterion for ex-ante mitigation funding.

The system is also aligned with the frameworks sponsors reference in their own reporting: SBTi V2.0 (OER), CSRD ESRS E1, E4, S3, CDP Climate Change, CDP Forests, and GHG Protocol LULUCF.

Vertically integrated by design. Third-party assured where the framework requires it. Framework-aligned where sponsors need external recognition.

In summary

Tree-Nation’s system connects:

  • Methodology → how carbon is calculated

  • Validation & ex-ante issuance → how projects are funded

  • PDDs → how carbon is linked to real planting sites

  • Monitoring & verification → how impact is tracked over time

  • Registry → how credits are recorded and traced

This creates a model where carbon credits are not abstract claims, but part of a continuous, transparent process linked to real-world reforestation.