Version 2.0
The Mexico Forest Protocol revision to Version 2.0 included reassessing the Version 1.5 Performance Standard Test and Secondary Effects calculation for improved forest management activities, adopting a new quantification methodology for small urban forest activities and silvo-pastoral and agroforestry activities, incorporating previously released errata and clarifications, and updating language and protocol guidance concerning reporting periods, verification periods, crediting periods, and QA/QC. The protocol was adopted by the Reserve’s Board of Directors on March 30, 2020.
Public Comments
Public comments on the draft protocol closed in January 2020. Please see comments received and staff responses to public comments below.
- Staff Response to Public Comments on draft Mexico Forest Protocol Version 2.0 (English)
- Resumen de Comentarios y Respuestas por Borrador del Protocolo Forestal para México Versión 2.0 (Español)
Public Workshop
The Reserve hosted public webinars to discuss the revisions to the Mexico Forest Protocol:
Mexico Forest Protocol Public Comment Webinar 2 (in Spanish)
December 12, 2019
Mexico Forest Protocol Public Comment Webinar 1 (in Spanish)
November 26, 2019
Protocol Workgroup
The protocol was revised through an expert stakeholder review process.
Mexico Forest Protocol Workgroup Meeting 1 (in Spanish)
October 30, 2019
Meeting Video
Version 1.5
- Protocolo Forestal para México Versión 1.5 (14 de septiembre de 2017)
- Errata y Clarificaciones a Protocolo Forestal para México Versión 1.5 (26 de agosto de 2019)
- Mexico Forest Protocol Version 1.5 (September 14, 2017)
- Errata and Clarifications to Mexico Forest Protocol Version 1.5 (August 26, 2019)
- Mexico Forest Protocol Version 1.5 Summary (English y Español)
The Mexico Forest Protocol Version 1.5 revision involved minor editorial changes and clarifications as well as clarified roles of project developers and forest owners, clarified project documentation requirements, revised start date requirements to six months prior to project submittal, and clarified verification requirements. Notable changes from Version 1.4 are outlined in the document below:
- Mexico Forest Protocol Summary of Changes from Version 1.0 to 1.5
- Mexico Forest Protocol Summary of Changes from Version 1.0 to 1.5
Version 1.4
- Protocolo Forestal para México Versión 1.4 (18 de enero de 2017)
- Mexico Forest Protocol Version 1.4 (January 18, 2017)
- Mexico Forest Protocol Version 1.4 Summary (English) (July 3, 2012)
- Mexico Forest Protocol Summary of Changes from Version 1.0 to 1.4 (English)
- Mexico Forest Protocol Summary of Changes from Version 1.0 to 1.4 (Español)
Version 1.3
- Protocolo Forestal para México Versión 1.3 (3 de noviembre de 2016)
- Mexico Forest Protocol Version 1.3 (November 3, 2016)
Version 1.2
- Protocolo Forestal para México Versión 1.2 (2 de mayo de 2016)
- Mexico Forest Protocol Version 1.2 (May 2, 2016)
Version 1.1
- Protocolo Forestal para México Versión 1.1 (26 de enero de 2016)
- Mexico Forest Protocol Version 1.1 (January 26, 2016)
Version 1.0
- Protocolo Forestal para México Versión 1.1 (23 de octubre de 2016)
- Mexico Forest Protocol Version 1.1 (October 23, 2013)
The Climate Action Reserve developed the Mexico Forest Protocol for over three years with a diverse set of stakeholders, including government agencies, nonprofit organizations, private sector, and landowners, both in the United States and in Mexico. See below for detailed information on protocol development, including public comment submissions, public workshops, workgroup meetings, a list of workgroup participants, and other resources.
Revised Version 1.0 Public Comments
The protocol underwent a second public comment period in August 2013 to solicit feedback on the revised draft of the protocol; see below for the staff response to the one comment received. The second comment period did not result in any changes to the protocol.
BioDean |
Public Workshop
The Reserve hosted a public webinar on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 to present details on the revised draft of the protocol and provide a venue for public comments. Workshop materials are available below.
Reserve Presentation
Meeting Video
Version 1.0 Public Comments
The protocol underwent an initial public comment period in January 2011 and the Reserve responded to comments (see below) and made substantial modifications to the protocol based on stakeholder feedback. Some of the important changes from the first draft include:
- Guidance for crediting avoided emissions has been removed from the current draft. This is consistent with the evolution of thinking in Mexico associated with REDD+ activities.
- Communal lands and private ownerships are eligible to develop projects.
- The approach to baseline enables varied sequestration activities to be credited under one project, including improved forest management, reforestation, and agroforestry.
- Environmental and social safeguards have been added directly into the protocol. Rather than relying on third-party criteria to define safeguards, the Reserve will require, monitor, and verify a set of safeguards that have been vetted by stakeholders.
- The approach to permanence has been modified to account for the temporal value of the project activity.
Workgroup
The Reserve assembled a workgroup to assist with the development of the adaptation of the Reforestation, Avoided Deforestation, and Sustainable Forest Management project types. The workgroup included:
Alianza para la Conservación Sierra Gorda | M-REDD |
Ambio | OVVALO |
Baker & McKenzie | Pronatura Mexico |
Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC/COCEF) | Pronatura Sur |
Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental | Rainforest Alliance |
CIGA/UNAM | Reforestamos Mexico |
CONAFOR | Servicios Ambientales de Oaxaca |
Consejo Civil Mexicano para la Silvicultura Sostenible | South Pole Carbon Asset Management |
EcoLogic Development Fund | Terra Global Capital |
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) | The Nature Conservancy |
Gold Standard | Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) |
GHG Offset Services | Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) |
Governors’ Climate and Forests Taskforce (GCF) | World Wildlife Fund |
Subcommittee Resources
Workgroup Meeting Documents/Resources
To ensure that the protocol development process is transparent and open, the Reserve makes available to the general public documentation from the workgroup portion of protocol development as it occurs. Click here to view meeting notes and other resources from all past workgroup meetings. For added transparency, interested individuals may also participate in workgroup calls/webinars as an “observer.” Please note that observers will be in listen only mode during calls/webinars.
Other Resources
If you are interested in reviewing the existing US Forest Protocol or the US Project Implementation Agreement (PIA) both documents are available in Spanish and English.
- U.S. Forest Protocol Version 3.1 (October 22, 2009)
- Protocolo de Proyectos Forestales Version 3.1 (October 22, 2009)
- US Project Implementation Agreement – Espanol
- US Project Implementation Agreement – English
- Mexico Forest Protocol Statement of Intent (March 4, 2010)
- Declaracion de Intenciones (March 4, 2010)
Pilot Project – San Juan Lachao
A pilot project using the Mexico Forest Protocol is currently underway in San Juan Lachao, Oaxaca, Mexico. The Reserve will post information and resources below as the project develops.
Pilot Project Fact Sheet [English]
Protocol Onsite Training Workshop [Español] (November 2013)
Please contact the Reserve with questions or comments.