Tracking and Traceability of Forest Derived Feedstock Used in Emissions Reduction Energy Projects

This project focuses on developing and piloting ACFOR’s Transparency and Traceability Tool (ATTT) to advance ecological forest practices and support the growing biomass energy market in New Brunswick. The ATTT is a comprehensive digital platform that tracks and verifies sustainable forestry operations from initial planning stages through to biomass energy production. By integrating remote sensing, field data collection, and supply chain monitoring, the tool ensures compliance with low-carbon, climate-smart forestry principles.

The primary objective is to adapt the ATTT for use by external forestry contractors in New Brunswick, enabling them to implement ecological forest treatments with enhanced operational efficiency and environmental integrity. By improving the transparency of forestry operations, the tool encourages responsible management practices that prevent forest degradation, thereby enhancing carbon sequestration and contributing to nature-based climate solutions. Additionally, it addresses procurement concerns in the biomass energy sector by providing verifiable data to demonstrate that biomass is sourced sustainably, ensuring alignment with ecological and market expectations. Public concern of negative forest impact is one of the largest barriers to developing new climate solutions using biomass feedstock, ATTT can provide a public leger of forest impact associated with biomass procurement.

The expected outcomes include a proven tool for sustainable forestry operations, a pilot project demonstrating its functionality, and the establishment of a marketable framework for climate-smart biomass supply chains. By supporting responsible forestry and sustainable biomass energy procurement, the project contributes to both increased carbon storage in forests and the credibility of biomass as a viable alternative energy source. This initiative directly supports innovation in GHG reduction technologies and contributes to New Brunswick’s transition to net-zero emissions.