Together, the Society of American Foresters, the Forest Products Association of Canada, the Canadian Institute of Forestry – Institut forestier du Canada, and the American Forest & Paper Association have initiated an ANSI-accredited standards development process to develop forest carbon measurement protocols. The process began in July 2008 with the creation of a technical committee consisting of environmental organizations, forest landowners, manufacturers, resource professionals, regulators, and carbon offset purchasers from the U.S. and Canada. Under the ANSI/SCC requirements, all interests that might be directly and materially affected by the standard have the opportunity for fair and equitable participation without dominance by any single interest. All individuals and organizations having an interest in the Committee’s work may request status as observers, for approval by the Secretariat. The Committee may also select experts to assist it.

We anticipate that the committee, and its task committees, will hold a number of meetings in person and by conference call to develop a draft standard, resolve differences among participants, and ultimately arrive at a consensus bi-national standard on forest carbon measurement and accounting.