M002: Preliminary Information

M002 is a groundbreaking terrestrial forest conservation methodology that integrates technical innovation and conservation best practices with the priorities of Indigenous Peoples, traditional communities, and governments. Its core purpose is to stop forest loss and secure the long-term protection of the world’s vital ecosystems. By meeting market demands for high integrity, transparency, and robust science, Equitable Earth's forest conservation methodology ensures that those leading the protection of forests receive the necessary investment to sustain durable conservation for generations to come.

It is designed to certify Avoiding Unplanned Deforestation and/or Degradation (AUDD) REDD+ projects. REDD+ stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, with the “plus” referring to conservation, sustainable forest management, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks. While restoring ecosystems is vital, REDD+ offers a complementary way to protect the forests we still have, transforming conservation into a credible climate solution. It supports communities who keep forests standing, helping to slow biodiversity loss, preserve cultural heritage, and reduce the impacts of climate change.

The methodology will be grounded in three core pillars: ecological condition, carbon, and livelihoods. Moreover, it will encompass:

• Centralised carbon accounting: Standardised carbon quantification by Equitable Earth with nested baselines that include both deforestation and degradation and annual monitoring based on the latest scientific data. 
• Integrated platform and data innovation: Leveraging state-of-the-art remote sensing, data modelling, and digital-first processes to enhance accuracy and enable streamlined certification and monitoring.  
• Avoidance and removal credits: Inclusion of emission reductions from avoided deforestation, and carbon removals from forest growth exceeding that of comparable areas.
• Ongoing consultation with Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs): A dedicated working group of Indigenous leaders will provide ongoing oversight, and ensure their leadership, values, and priorities are embedded at every stage of project design and governance.  
• Industry-leading safeguards for equity and justice: Robust grievance redress mechanism, Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) consultation requirements at multiple stages during the project lifecycle, and revenue transparency consistent with established Equitable Earth policies and procedures. 
• Ecosystem monitoring: Regular monitoring and reporting of physical composition, species composition, structural diversity, and ecosystem function.  ‍
• Adaptive management: Embedding a continuous improvement framework to integrate the latest science, respond to local feedback, and strengthen outcomes over time.

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Equitable Earth is currently developing M002, and it will launch later this year.

This builds on foundational work created by the original Equitable Earth coalition, formed in early 2023 by Everland, Forest Trends and Wildlife Works. The coalition brought together over 125 individuals from more than 60 organisations, including Indigenous leaders, conservationists, scientists, and community experts, to design a next-generation standard and methodology for protecting forests and supporting those who steward them.

In June 2025, ERS (now rebranded as Equitable Earth) acquired the coalition’s assets, with the intention of advancing this work under one unified standard.

These assets included:

• Jurisdictionally nested deforestation risk maps
• A new baseline allocation tool
• A quality and impact framework for local communities
• Expanded FPIC guidance grounded in best practices

We are now building on this foundation to bring M002 to market, through our independent governance structures and rigorous methodology development process. While the coalition no longer holds ownership or operational involvement, we are proud to carry their vision forward.

Community-led REDD+ projects in countries where forests are particularly vulnerable will be eligible to use Equitable Earth's M002 methodology.

The standard was developed to address the principles and criteria for the VCM, set forth by the Indigenous and local community members of the Peoples Forests Partnership.

A stakeholder consultation group with Indigenous leaders from several communities has advised the coalition throughout the development of the methodology, standard, and platform. Additionally, the coalition has been in consultation with the governments of the largest rainforest nations, to ensure the standard is designed to deliver against Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and other national and sub-national sustainable development goals.

Yes. From the outset, Equitable Earth was shaped by the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and we are committed to continuing and deepening that approach. 

To ensure these perspectives remain integral to how the standard evolves, a dedicated working group of Indigenous leaders will be formed to provide ongoing oversight. This group will contribute directly to our highest level of technical governance, the Equitable Earth Technical Advisory Board (TAB), which oversees all decisions related to methodology development.

Our goal is not only to reflect the priorities and perspectives of diverse stakeholders in the standard design, but to embed them meaningfully in the process of shaping it as it grows over time.

Restoration remains a core pillar of our mission, and we recognise that protecting what remains is as urgent as restoring what’s been degraded. Operationally, Equitable Earth continues to support restoration projects through our existing M001 methodology, which has already seen over 200 projects submitted. M002 represents an expansion of our mission, bringing the same scientific rigour, transparency and credibility we’ve applied to restoration into the realm of conservation.