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Discover the complete lifecycle of a certified carbon credit: from project identification through implementation, rigorous monitoring, independent verification, and final certificate issuance. Each step is designed to ensure transparency, credibility, and real climate impact.
Step 1
Month 1-3
Stock CO2 scouts landowners (foresters, farmers) across France.
Stock CO2 identifies eligible land according to Label Bas-Carbone criteria. We seek landowners committed long-term, lands with significant ecological potential, and agronomic viability. This phase involves preliminary site visits, in-depth interviews with owners, and initial eligibility assessment per chosen methodology (reforestation, agroforestry, conservation agriculture).
Key Points
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Step 2
Month 2-4
Technical file preparation: baseline calculation, species selection, planting plan, 30-year management plan.
We compile all technical documents required for certification. This includes detailed baseline scenario calculation, selection of climate-appropriate species, a geo-referenced planting plan, and a 30-year management plan. We coordinate with DREAL to ensure regulatory compliance. The file must strictly follow applicable Label Bas-Carbone methodology (forest, grassland, crops).
Key Points
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Step 3
Month 1-2
Independent auditor (Bureau Veritas, EcoCert) verifies methodology compliance, validates technical assumptions.
An accredited third party conducts a comprehensive audit of the technical file. The independent auditor visits the site, verifies baseline scenario calculations, ensures the project is additional (would not happen without carbon credits), and validates all best practices are followed. This audit is crucial for project quality and credibility assurance.
Key Points
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Step 4
Month 1-3
Energy and Climate Directorate validates and registers the project on the national registry.
DGEC examines the complete file including initial audit, verifies compliance with Label Bas-Carbone methodology, and grants official certification. The project is then registered on the national Label Bas-Carbone project registry. This label is the official guarantee that the project meets France's strictest standards for carbon measurement and verification. It's the final step before field implementation.
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Step 5
Year 1
Plantations begin. Forestry: site prep, planting (autumn/spring), initial maintenance.
Once certified, the project moves into operational phase. For forestry, this includes site preparation (clearing, drainage if needed), tree planting in appropriate season (autumn or spring per species), and initial maintenance (wildlife protection, initial watering). For agriculture, this involves progressive implementation of conservation practices (reduced tillage, agroforestry, cover crops). Companies can now purchase carbon credits to finance these operations.
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Step 6
Years 1-30
Carbon credits sold to companies. Funds secured via trust (Caisse des Dépôts).
Stock CO2 commercializes carbon credits from the project to companies seeking to decarbonize their footprint. Sales contracts specify credit quantity, future delivery conditions (after verification), and price. Funds are secured in a trust managed by Caisse des Dépôts, guaranteeing transparency and stability. These revenues fund initial investments (plantations, equipment) and annual project management and maintenance costs.
Key Points
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Step 7
Years 1-30
Annual growth, mortality measurements, photography. Annual reports to contributors.
Every year, our teams conduct field visits to measure tree growth, document survival (mortality/replanting), collect ecological data, and photograph progress. This data quantifies actual carbon sequestration versus initial projections. An annual report is sent to each contributor, documenting progress, project status, and complementary environmental metrics (biodiversity, water quality, habitats created). This transparency is essential for maintaining contributor trust.
Key Points
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Step 8
Years 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30
Year 5 (forestry) or 3 (agriculture), independent re-audit verifies actual vs projected sequestration.
At regular intervals (every 5 years for forestry, every 3 years for agriculture), an independent auditor conducts thorough project compliance verification. This audit includes detailed site visit, growth measurement verification, confirmation that actual sequestration matches or exceeds initial projections, and ongoing management evaluation. This verification audit is crucial: it officially certifies that generated carbon credits correspond to actual CO₂ tons sequestered in the project.
Key Points
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Step 9
Post-verification audit
Final credits issued and registered. Official certificates for CSR/CSRD reporting.
Once verification audit is complete, each ton of CO₂ actually sequestered receives an official Label Bas-Carbone carbon credit. This credit is registered on the national registry and can only be sold or claimed once. The contributing company receives its official certificate documenting its carbon sequestration contribution, plus a comprehensive ecosystem and social impact report. These certificates can be used for sustainability reporting (CSR), carbon neutrality claims, and CSRD objectives. This is the culmination of the journey and official recognition of positive climate impact generated.
Key Points
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Fast Track
6-12
Months to first credit
Long Duration
30+
Years of sequestration
Verification
Every 5
Years re-audit (forestry)
Total Timeline Summary
From identification to first carbon sale: typically 6-12 months
Every step in this journey is designed to ensure that carbon credits represent real, verifiable, and additional climate action. Independent audits, rigorous monitoring, and transparent reporting make Label Bas-Carbone the gold standard for carbon integrity in France.