February 2010: The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has released a booklet titled “Carbon Finance Possibilities for Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) Projects in a Smallholder Context.” The booklet aims to guide extension service advisors and institutions who work with small-scale farmers and foresters with an interest in carbon finance and carbon projects.

The booklet includes sections on: the background for carbon finance and carbon credits; an introduction to carbon markets; carbon project development and timeline; expected costs and benefits in project development; and funding opportunities. The authors highlight the constant improvement in the availability of data and knowledge on the development of carbon projects, noting that this will facilitate future opportunities. The booklet also provides information on mitigating land management practices, carbon accounting standards, and two case studies. [Carbon Finance Booklet]