MS Project Presentation - Environmental Science and Policy

MS Project
Department of Environmental Science and Policy
College of Science
George Mason University 

Candidate: Sheridan Smith
Presentation Date and Time: November 24, 2025 at 9:30am
Presentation Location: Virtual on Zoom
Title: Examining Environmental and Socio-Economic Co-Benefits and Soil Carbon Integration in Forest Carbon Projects Across the United States and Canada 

Project Director: Dr. Younsung Kim
Committee: Dr. Younsung Kim, Dr. Sudha Balajapalli, and Dr. Laura Thompson 

ABSTRACT  

Forests cover approximately 31% of Earth’s terrestrial land surface and play a vital role as carbon sinks while providing diverse environmental and economic benefits. This study examines forest carbon projects’ benefits in the US and Canada. Using data from Verra’s project registry, we identified 55 forest carbon projects and evaluated their environmental and socio-economic co-benefits, with particular attention to the inclusion of soil carbon. Results indicate that Improved Forest Management (IFM) and Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) projects deliver the widest range of co-benefits, whereas Agricultural Land Management (ALM) projects uniquely enhance soil carbon sequestration. More than half of U.S. projects incorporate soil carbon components, compared to roughly one-third of projects in Canada.  The findings underscore the need for standardized measurement and reporting practices to enhance transparency, credibility, and long-term sustainability within the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM).