ODF / BSWCD Carbon Credit Decision Tools

E&S is leading the development of a suite of carbon credit decision-support tools to help Oregon’s small forest landowners evaluate carbon market opportunities. The project is supported by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Natural and Working Lands Fund, with the Benton Soil and Water Conservation District (BSWCD) administering the funds and partnering on landowner outreach.

E&S is conducting a life cycle assessment across four crediting pathways — biochar production, avoided wildfire emissions, mature or improved forest management, and enhanced rock weathering — and assessing where pathways can be stacked at a single location to increase carbon removal and revenue.

The work centers on an interactive, spatially explicit calculator that estimates net carbon budgets, scores site suitability for each pathway, and identifies the minimum carbon prices needed for projects to break even.

E&S is also evaluating the feasibility of aggregating small parcels so that landowners below typical registry tonnage thresholds can participate.

The tools are designed for non-technical users and will be refined through landowner workshops and pilot testing. The project runs through December 2027.