BALANCE® represents a new type of biodiversity creation and climate mitigation. It synthesizes lessons learned from past carbon offsetting and NbS (Nature-Based Solutions), with the latest scientific evidence to capitalize on widespread support for biodiversity and ecosystem creation. By considering the ecosystem as a whole, the BALANCE® methodology accrues numerous co-benefits, including carbon sequestration and long-term sustainable incomes for local and indigenous people. 

As the core our methodology, ‘BALANCE® Planting Partner Obligations’ establish prescriptive guidelines with which selected planting partners must comply, as detailed on our Planting Partner Contract. These obligations combine to form guarantees that support planting and protecting of biodiverse, sustainable carbon-sequestering forests. BALANCE® methodology accounts for soil and climate context, topography, land use history, species diversity, disease and pest mitigation, forest resilience, and sustainability. The BALANCE® Planting Obligations provide a framework for all future afforestation-based carbon offset providers. An overview of the benefits of biodiversity follows the Planting Principles. Finally, this article presents two short case studies, the first on the current state of forestry in the UK, and the second on the Forest of Marston Vale, which is a planting partner of BALANCE®. 

Evidence in this paper derives from a variety of sources found through a comprehensive literature review. 

Balance offers a new form of biodiversity creation, and carbon sequestration, designed to prioritise the creation and protection of natural biodiversity. The Balance Methodology is an innovative form of biodiversity creation, and carbon mitigation that cleans up existing carbon markets that represents an evolution from the commonly criticised malpractice by other offset providers.

“The Balance Methodology” outlines best practices for implementing and safeguarding biodiversity as the essential requirement of planting projects. It discusses how Balance implements the lessons learned from the failed initiatives of the past to create a new form of carbon offsetting. Balance uses existing carbon credits in current systems such as Woodland Carbon Code, REDD+, Plan Vivo, and Gold Standard and takes them a step further by enhancing both biodiversity and standards in the planting project requirements. This is achieved through our project development and planting partners adhering to the six point contract over and above the mechanism for generating the existing credits. This new form evolved from and improves upon the concept of carbon neutrality, whose reputation deteriorated along with that of carbon offsetting as a whole for reasons discussed in “The Balance Methodology Part Two.”

The Balance planting partner contract highlights six key obligations (with an extra, non-obligatory point) which distinguish Balancing from offsetting emissions. Before contacting potential partner projects, Balance ensures that a number of biodiversity-based planting principles are met as obligations.

These include, first, the prioritisation of indigenous tree species and local genetic stock.

The Balance planting partner contract highlights six key obligations (with an extra, non-obligatory point) which distinguish Balancing from offsetting emissions. Before contacting potential partner projects, Balance ensures that a number of biodiversity-based planting principles are met as obligations. These include, first, the prioritisation of indigenous tree species and local genetic stock.

• The right trees in the right places, including an understanding of the land’s historical context, and planting exclusively on previously forested land.
• The prioritisation of local genetic stock, planting indigenous native species.
• Consideration of soil type and soil organic matter when planting, and planning for carbon sequestration in soil.
• The formation of a varied stand with genetic diversity, a healthy understorey, and the use of relevant agement cycles to enhance biodiversity.
• Inclusivity and equality in social and economic benefits where necessary.
• Necessary considerations in tree planting for adaptation to climate change.
• A displayed consideration of mitigation of the threats of pests and diseases.
• The reduction of dependence on invasive species.
• An understanding of the importance of forest structure, connectivity between forest ecosystems and tree size both for carbon sequestration and forest resilience purposes.
• Commitment to the production of data and the frequent review of management and planting strategies based upon findings.

Creation of natural forest cover with a minimum of 99-year protection and with its carbon sequestration capacity independently monitored through existing standards.

This is done to harmonise with the atmosphere’s 100-year lifespan or “radiative forcing” carbon dioxide cycle. Existing credits that are only protected for 40 years if they fail afterwards, the project has yet to do much good for the climate. Trees must die and create deadwood to optimise biodiversity and additional carbon sequestration benefits.

Customers and clients, and the wider public can visit the forest areas which they have chosen to create. More importantly, as the client’s motivation is to create biodiversity, the project developer is obligated to give us information on biodiversity creation as it happens. We keep our clients informed of this so they can share with their stakeholders and customers. This process also assists  with the ongoing monitoring of the project.

If the funding has not arrived, purchased trees cannot be planted, thus ensuring additionality of Balance’s affiliated planting projects, and that all investment contributes towards actual reforestation. Additionality protocols for Balance’s UK-based projects are set out in the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) verification system in the UK, Gold Standard and REDD+ internationally. Balance also works with various other reputable verification standards.

Force Majeure, ensuring compensation in case of unforeseen events, including but not limited to an epizootic or a plant disease affecting part or all of the Woodland, road construction, compulsory purchase, buildings, or a severe natural disaster gravely affecting the Woodland.

Human rights are at the core of the Balance methodology. Climate action should be consistent with human rights obligations as it affects the human right to food, water, and a healthy environment (Humphreys, Robinson, 2009). Balance commits to ethical land use as a part of existing human rights agreements, standards and principles. Balance asks our project developers to ensure that indigenous and local people will not be removed from land for carbon farming. Balance works directly with local communities to receive stakeholder input and with local planting partners where appropriate. Enhanced commitments in the Balance planting partner contract consider forests beyond remuneration and recreation, by encouraging the use of permaculture biochar and agroforestry techniques to harness socio-economic benefits from the forest. Although Balance cannot legally compensate indigenous people or involve itself in third-party transactions, Balance project developers commit to treating indigenous people equitably.

For each tonne of BALANCE®, an additional tree is planted in a non-carbon forest. This can be close to the consumer or the client’s business, and can be planted in locations accessible to customers and beneficial to their communities, even in urban areas, and is linked to the carbon tonne through BALANCE’s public database. This is unique amongst offset initiatives, and is designed to increase biodiversity benefits and create wildlife corridors in urban and rural environments. It also allows us to supply funding in locations that would not otherwise receive carbon financed tree planting benefits. This extra step is important for creating enhanced trust and furthering the standards of best practice amongst offset initiatives, and creates a high impact icon near the clients business enabling further communication to customers and stakeholders.