Freiburg climate expert is lead author of new UN methodology for global reforestation

Freiburg im Breisgau / Bonn - On 5 November 2026 the UN Climate Change secretariat (UNFCCC) opened methodology A6.4-PMM012 for public consultation; input can be submitted until 26 November 2026. It defines how afforestation, reforestation and revegetation (ARR) projects can measure, verify and credit carbon removals under the Paris Agreement's new carbon market mechanism (Article 6.4). Lead author of the methodology is Freiburg-based forest and environmental scientist Moriz Vohrer, who developed it together with the team at Global Woods over almost two years.

Following the Kyoto Protocol framework and its Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) from 2005, this creates a new framework under the Paris Agreement for crediting carbon removals by forests. Publication coincides with the COP31 climate summit, where implementation of Article 6 is again a central topic. The need is considerable: under the Bonn Challenge alone, countries have pledged to restore around 350 million hectares of forest and landscapes by 2030 - and finance is one of the biggest gaps. If the methodology is adopted, countries, companies and project developers could finance reforestation through internationally recognised credits. Verifiable carbon removals and clear rules on permanence and risk are essential.

“If we want to rebuild forests, we need money that keeps flowing for decades - and confidence that every credited tonne is real,” says Vohrer. A credible carbon market could mobilise private funding for reforestation. Particularly in rural regions of the Global South, this could support incomes and biodiversity alongside climate action.

Vohrer has worked on nature-based climate solutions for more than 25 years and helped shape the CarbonFix Standard and the forestry division of the WWF Gold Standard. He lectures at the University of Freiburg and has been a partner at Global Woods, which implements ARR projects worldwide, since 2025. Alongside his international work, he runs a Black Forest farm near Schauinsland above Freiburg.

Over the coming weeks until 26 November 2026, experts, project developers and civil society can submit feedback before the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body decides on final adoption.