ncx-gitbot
commented
2 years ago NCX response: As we have revised our methodology we have clarified the emphasis on leveraging remote sensing-derived data products for generating inventory estimates at scale. We have further emphasized methods for incorporating field measurements into estimates of forest disturbance and change.
Commenter Organization: Green Assets
Commenter: Jonathan Pomp, CF, RPF
2021 Deferred Harvest Methodology Section: 2 and 9
Comment: Section 2 states "Harvest deferrals, and any associated stock changes, are monitored through plot-based field measurements of carbon stocking that inform both the baseline scenario and the project scenario; these are repeated measures, with the same plots measured at the beginning of the reporting period, time t0, and after completion of the reporting period, time t1. Spatially explicit remote sensing data of the program area and additional field measurement may also be employed to enhance repeated field-based measurements and to detect areas of disturbance during the activity period (i.e., between t0 and t1)." Page 23 (PPC,t0,i and PPC,t1,i Parameter) then states "Biomass and carbon stocks are determined through design-unbiased field sampling coupled with remote sensing data to develop forest inventories at t0 (beginning of activity period) and t1 (end of activity period) to ensure precise and unbiased estimates of carbon stocks within the project instance."
The methodology is inconsistent within itself as it states that field measurements are used and may be supported by remotely sensed data and then later states that carbon stocks (used to quantify GHG emission reductions) are based on combined field sampling and remotely sensed data. Further, the methodology sets no requirements for accuracy of remotely sensed carbon stocking estimates where ground based sampling is not utilized.
Proposed Change: The methodology should clarify that it does not intend to base quantified "emissions reductions" based solely on ground based sampling methods and that remotely sensed estimates of carbon stocking are expected to be used. Further, the methodology should define accuracy requirements for remotely sensed carbon stocking estimates (for areas not sampled via ground-based methods) that are reflective of industry norms. The established rules and requirements should be validated by a VVB prior to verification.