Sylvera has launched the Open Carbon Data Project, a first-of-its-kind initiative to generate high-resolution, open-access forest carbon data across the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.
The initiative is being launched with support from The Rockefeller Foundation And Meta, who have backed this effort with a combined $900k in funding.
With this project, Sylvera aims to increase the amount of trusted, scientifically rigorous data on forest carbon that would underpin credible measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) at scale.
To that end, the carbon intelligence company has partnered with the State University of Santa Cruz, World Resources Institute, and the Symbiosis Coalition on a collaboration expected to result in the world’s first open-access, benchmark-grade forest carbon dataset.
By enabling accurate MRV of forest carbon stocks, the dataset will lower the carbon market participation barriers for smallholders and community-led projects, and it will boost investor confidence, which in turn will help scale forest restoration and protection financing.
“Scaling credible carbon markets requires the same foundation as any good science: open, high-quality data that anyone can build on,” said Blair Swedeen, global head of net zero and sustainability at Meta.
He stated, “We’ve seen firsthand through our AI-powered forest mapping work with WRI how open-source tools can dramatically improve our understanding of forest ecosystems. This initiative will help lower barriers for new and community-led projects to begin receiving carbon financing and ultimately build the trust that carbon markets need to attract investment at scale.”
The Open Carbon Data Project will be put to immediate use
The dataset will immediately have real-world applications, such as improving the accuracy of the Meta and WRI Canopy Height Maps, currently one of the most widely used open-access forest monitoring tools in the world.
According to the news announcement, the data will be released later this year under a CC BY 4.0 open license, which will be made available free of charge to developers, registries, policymakers, and researchers globally.
Sylvera highlights that the Open Carbon Data Project is locally anchored and steered by local experts. By partnering with Brazilian universities, research institutions, local implementation partners, and government agencies and landowners, the initiative ensures scientific integrity and inclusiveness, building long-term data capacity and institutional trust in this region.
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