Brazil's Boa Vista Forest Carbon Offset Project Earns Verification from SCS

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Aug. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SCS Global Services has verified the Brazilian Boa Vista Afforestation/Reforestation carbon offset project under the American Carbon Registry (ACR) Standard. The project sequesters greenhouse gases (GHG) by planting and managing fast-growing Acacia mangium Willd. trees in plantations over more than 23,000 hectares of previously degraded pastureland in the northern Brazilian state of Roraima.

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Over forty years the project will sequester an estimated 3.7 million metric tonnes of GHGs, measured in carbon dioxide "equivalents," while providing important social and environmental benefits. The timber plantations create local employment opportunities, reinforce the rights of indigenous people to collect non-timber materials from the forests, and provide a renewable source of timber. In addition, the project improves local water and soil quality over time. The plantations are operated in compliance with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification standard for responsible forestry.

"The Boa Vista forest carbon offset project is a great example of the linkage between responsible forestry practices and efforts to combat climate change," said Dr. Robert J. Hrubes, Executive Vice President of SCS. "Moreover, by providing a source of income for the local community, this project represents a win-win."

The project proponent is F.I.T. Timber Ltd. and the developer is TREES Forest Carbon Consulting LLC. Project verification by SCS opens the door to the generation of tradable carbon credits, which can be sold to finance community services and investment in the plantations.

SCS Global Services (SCS) has been a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing and standards development for nearly three decades. SCS programs span a wide cross-section of sectors, recognizing exemplary performance in natural resource management, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, retailing and more. SCS is a Certified B Corporation™, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.

FIT Timber Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of FIT Timber Growth Fund Ltd which is a private mutual fund licensed in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, that offers qualified investors an opportunity to make a fully ecological investment into renewable natural resources, in particular into sustainable timber plantations and management of natural forests. For information on sale of certificates visit the "Acacia Brazil" project at www.greenwood-trading.com or call +41 44 787 0120.

TREES Forest Carbon Consulting LLC is an advisory company focusing on world-wide forestry projects that reduce greenhouse gases. TREES combines years of expertise for both forestry and greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects, including forestry operations, technical and methodological services for greenhouse gas reduction projects, as well as management services.

SOURCE SCS Global Services