We certify the design and reporting of high-value tree planting projects in cities. Companies can provide funds for projects that align with corporate social responsibility goals and advance environmental justice for communities across the country.
Impact Certification provides standardized project reporting with science-based metrics and scores for social equity, human health, and environmental impacts.
CFC’s Impact Certification provides Microsoft with quantified, reportable outcomes that are central to ensuring the most positive impact from our investments. We are excited to have a scoring mechanism to help us evaluate each project’s ability to improve social equity, human health, and ecosystem services.
—Holly Beale, Environmental Sustainability Lead for Datacenter Community DevelopmentMicrosoft
Equity and Health
Leverage dollars to drive changeFrom cooling hot city streets to inclusive co-creation with frontline communities, Impact Certification is the first ever science-based and standardized framework to assess, demonstrate, and report on the impacts of trees.
Trees can transform a neighborhood and the lives of its residents. However, nonprofits and government often struggle to find upfront funds. Private-sector dollars can accelerate planting projects and spark action.
Match your funds with simple, reliable, and shovel-ready projects led by local operators in three simple steps.
CFC links funders to high-value projects on the ground
Connect
Local operator plans project with the community
Design
Local operator plants trees and CFC issues report
Achieve
Impact Certification is the first of its kind to describe science-based health and equity impacts from tree planting projects. Companies can meet their corporate objectives and employees can adopt a project that directly benefits their own community.
—Lydia Scott, Executive DirectorChicago Region Trees Initiative
Design Guide
Optimize science-based impactsA project design tool prompts ideas and encourages forward-thinking for the location and process of planting trees. Human health, social equity, and environmental benefits are linked to the latest science and best practices from subject matter experts.
Three Focus Areas, Five Impact Themes
- Air quality
- Urban heat
- Physical activity
- Wellness & mental health
- Connections for social health
Human Health
- Inequity context
- Site selection
- Community engagement
- Community participation
- Economic equity
Social Equity
- Climate action
- Site prep
- Water quality & quantity
- Bioremediation
- Habitat, food, & wood
Environment
Impact Report
Share return on investmentFunders can share outcomes with their communities and stakeholders in an efficient and consistent way. CFC issues a high-level Impact Summary and a detailed Impact Report.
Impact planting projects do not generate a carbon credit, but provide metrics and scores that illustrate the value of trees. Check out an example.
The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, are a global call for action. Project impacts are mapped to the SDGs so you can easily report on how your business is taking steps towards achieving the global goals.
Learn more about why it matters and how Impact Certification was developed.
Trees Forever is thrilled to work with City Forest Credits to achieve a positive impact in our communities through tree planting projects. The Impact Certification is rigorous and helps us to know our tree planting work meets high standards that will deliver positive environmental, health, and equity benefits to the people we serve.
—Leslie Berckes, Director of ProgramsTrees Forever
Current Projects
Catalyze local actionCommunity-based tree projects strengthen communities, improve quality of life, and provide natural climate solutions. Projects are underway from Chicago to Phoenix.
Impact Certification FAQs
We suggest a minimum investment of $10,000. Reach out to CFC at info@cityforestcredits.org and we will connect you with a project that meets your goals.
Impact Certification is the first-ever tool for assessing and demonstrating the science-based impacts of a tree planting project that incorporates social equity, human health, and the environment.
Non-profit organizations or local government agencies can lead an Impact Project. We provide a Project Plan, Impact Scorecard, and Guidebook that describes the health, equity, and environment considerations for project design. Design factors such as the number of trees planted, site selection, participatory process, and more are chosen by the entity leading the project, along with desires of the community. Contact us at info@cityforestcredits.org to discuss your project ideas.
A Carbon+ project requires a 25-year time commitment and produces carbon credits that can be sold to generate revenue for tree maintenance and stewardship. An impact project does not require a time commitment and does not produce a carbon credit. An impact project receives up front funding to design and implement the project.