Equitable Earth has published a Baseline Setting Module for its Terrestrial Forest Conservation Methodology (M002), bringing greater precision, speed, and scalability to the field of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+).
The newly released module is a vital component of the M002 criteria—a next-generation forest conservation methodology for Avoiding Unplanned Deforestation and Degradation (AUDD). As such, the Baseline Setting Module presents an innovative way for quantifying deforestation and degradation for REDD+ projects.
It comes with standardized technical processes in which Equitable Earth manages all the carbon accounting and risk modeling in-house, eliminating conflicts of interest and lowering uncertainty while supporting consistency across all projects.
Driven by machine learning, the Equitable Earth Baseline Setting Module predicts future above-ground biomass (AGB) changes for every pixel across a jurisdiction, leveraging tools such as satellite imagery, biomass datasets, and comprehensive analytics.
Risk maps are updated every year to ensure alignment with the latest scientific data, meaning projects never launch with a risk map older than a year. Additionally, project baselines are reevaluated every five years.
With this module, forest degradation, as well as deforestation, is detected with advanced remote sensing that tracks carbon dynamics in detail, boosting the accuracy of biomass loss monitoring, especially in jurisdictions where degradation is the main culprit for forest loss.
Project developers and auditors can have greater confidence in results, as each risk map will include metrics that quantify accuracy, reliability, and uncertainty.
The publication of the Baseline Setting Module marks a new chapter for REDD+ projects, opening up a new pathway for developers and communities to finance forest conservation efforts.
Relevant: COP30: Equitable Earth Unveils New REDD+ Standard To Bolster Indigenous-Led Conservation
In early 2026, Equitable Earth (formerly ERS) will hold a public technical webinar where developers and stakeholders can learn more about the Baseline Setting Module and risk maps, as well as receive support on practical application.
The Baseline Setting Module and all accompanying documentation are currently available on the Equitable Earth website.
Read more: Equitable Earth Rolls Out Working Group For Community Participation In Carbon Projects
