Abbey Abramson

  nature-based solutions and greenwashing Quick guides for citizens: “follow the trees” Before planting: Is tenure resolved? Is the species list adapted to site conditions? Are there 12- and 36-month survival milestones in the contract? (Primavera manual; UNDP corruption-risk mapping). (Primavera et al., 2012; UNDP, 2010/2015). During planting: Are the seedlings healthy and locally sourced? Are nurse plots established? Is community labor paid fairly? (Forest Foundation PH training) (Forest Foundation PH, 2017). After planting: Are survival audits publicly accessible? Do they use independent sampling and remote sensing tools? Are replacements documented? (Implement the best practices across CBMR and open-data standards). (Primavera et al., 2012; FAO). For carbon projects: Is the baseline explained and peer-reviewed? Are the benefits outlined in the contract for the communities? What is the grievance mechanism ? (West et al., 2024; CIFOR-ICRAF, 2023). Putting integrity into “natu...

  Mangroves and forest ongoing maintenance What to put in contracts so trees live Pay for survival, not planting Milestone payments at 12 and 36 months are tied to independent survival audits (with methods published). Species-site rules based on ecological zoning (e.g., pioneers on seaward edge, higher-salinity-tolerant species in exposed sites; no planting on historic seagrass beds). Remote verification requires geotagged plot maps and publishes drone- and satellite-based checks, allowing the public to verify canopy growth (Primavera manual; CBMR) (Primavera et al., 2012). Build tenure and benefit-sharing into the design Consent and rights : where indigenous or customary rights exist, secure Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) ; define who owns wood and non-wood products. Benefit-sharing contracts : publish the percentages and timing; let communities track payments—lessons echo REDD+ research on transparent BSMs (CIFOR-ICRAF, 2023).  O&M for forests (yes, really) F...

  Climate change projects for carbon emissions mitigation Carbon projects: baseline gaming and benefit-sharing opacity Nature-based carbon projects (e.g., REDD+ and voluntary offset schemes) can strengthen financing for forests—if their numbers are credible and if communities share in the benefits. A growing empirical record reveals systemic weaknesses in baselines, leakage, permanence, and safeguards, resulting in over-credited projects that deliver minimal real climate benefits (West et al., 2024; Berkeley Carbon Trading/Carbon Market Watch; The Guardian/Reuters, 2024–2025). Two recurring integrity gaps: Baselines and additionality. “Elastic methodologies” allow developers to set inflated deforestation baselines, so that mere continuation of the status quo yields large credits (CMW, 2023; West et al., 2024). Benefit-sharing and land rights. Where tenure is contested or community voice is weak, revenue distribution becomes opaque, fueling conflict and undermining stewardship (CI...

Protecting mangroves and forest projects Forests, Water, and the Green Mirage Why “green” can go wrong Reforestation drives, mangrove plantings , and watershed protection programs are often highlighted in national climate plans. On paper, they promise carbon storage, coastal protection, cooler microclimates, and resilient water supplies. In practice, many become green mirages—projects that appear promising in photos but fail to survive a single dry season, storm surge, or budget cycle. The reasons are clear: sapling scams , inflated survival rates, species planted in the wrong places, and contracts that pay for “number of trees planted” rather than for ecosystems restored. Land-tenure conflicts and weak law enforcement widen the gap between spending and real protection. UNDP’s work on corruption risks in adaptation and REDD+ warned of this dynamic over a decade ago, and the risks remain current (UNDP, 2010/2015). This chapter focuses on three fronts where integrity failures are common...

  Non-negotiable checklist for climate projects What good looks like: A pledge of non-negotiables for climate-stressed assets Turn this checklist into a commitment by adopting one non-negotiable item in your upcoming projects. Empower yourself to make a tangible difference in ensuring infrastructure integrity and resilience. Design phase Future-proofed elevations: crest levels and outfall inverts set to future design storms/sea levels, with freeboard per code (IPCC, 2021; USACE, 2000). Complete sections: specify core material, filters, toe protection, and slope revetment sizing according to local flow/wave data (BC Riprap Guide; USACE). Redundancy: second power feed for pumps, spare capacity for one unit out of service, overflow bypasses. Procurement & supervision Open designs and BoQ: publish for scrutiny; prohibit "brand-locked" materials unless justified (see Chapter 4). For instance, in XYZ city, making BoQs publicly accessible led to an 18% reduction in change or...