The Appalachian Carbon Exchange catalyzes both the supply and demand side of a localized carbon market, resulting in high-quality, nature based projects.
We facilitate the growth of both accessible climate solutions and regional investment in climate action across Central & Southern Appalachia.
Building on the strengths of our region and our people, we believe that...
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Relationships matter
True Connection
Just like knowing your local farmer makes the veggies taste better, trust in relationships is at the heart of our mission. We prioritize the fact that our projects are implemented with the individuals in our communities in mind.
Place matters
Bioregional
True to Appalachian heritage, we look to the resourcefulness and determination of the regional character to solve big problems. By betting on local, our work supports the development of accessible, high-quality projects that brings together many different stakeholders across the region.
Integrity matters
Infrastructure for Good
Good things take time, and we are here for the long haul. Our work hinges on doing the right thing every day, and that means a lot of diligence, a lot of patience, and keeping our true climate positive impact in the driver's seat.
Climate-first solutions
Our Projects are
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High-Quality
ACE administers high-quality, nature-based local climate projects. That means that requirements such as leakage (shifted activity to other forests), extensive on-the-ground measurement and verification, and safeguards like legally binding covenants are integrated into our projects.
We also recognize that the depth of benefits in nature-based carbon projects are not always quantified within project boundaries, and we work to identify these. An example of this is our active quantification of the co-benefits associated with the Appalachian forestlands within the Forest Management project. Read more in our Ecosystem Services of the ACE project areas working white paper.
We also recognize that the depth of benefits in nature-based carbon projects are not always quantified within project boundaries, and we work to identify these. An example of this is our active quantification of the co-benefits associated with the Appalachian forestlands within the Forest Management project. Read more in our Ecosystem Services of the ACE project areas working white paper.
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02
Nature-Based
ACE projects are focused on nature-based solutions - those involving the sustainable management and/or restoration of natural systems to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Most nature-based projects focus on the medium term carbon cycle (i.e. forests, soil, grasslands), and are imperative to recalibrating atmospheric balance.
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Local
From the foothills of the Cumberland plateau to the grassy balds of Virginia, the Appalachian landscape is highly coveted for both its conventional working lands and the myriad benefits of its undisturbed land. We build projects in this region in partnership with corporates who are investing in the future of their place, increasing trust and transparency in the carbon offset process.
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Necessary
ACE projects provide the tools for maintaining a balance between development and climate positive land management. Protocol driven nature-based carbon projects play a significant role as a climate solution that is ready to deploy and highly scalable today.
As growing land conversion trends in the region continue to stress the already fragmented landscape, it becomes more necessary for tools like carbon projects to provide a stabilizing influence to both the regional biogeography and atmospheric carbon balance. Learn more about the current drivers of land use change in Southern Appalachia from our research.
As growing land conversion trends in the region continue to stress the already fragmented landscape, it becomes more necessary for tools like carbon projects to provide a stabilizing influence to both the regional biogeography and atmospheric carbon balance. Learn more about the current drivers of land use change in Southern Appalachia from our research.
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