Selection
Criteria
SMALL AND MEDIUM-SCALE
Criteria
Percent Score
Ecological Soundness
70%
Socio-Economic Impacts
10%
Sustainability
10%
Compliance with Governance and Institutional Mechanisms
10%
Total
100%
To be recognised as an AGI, a nominated small- or medium-scale tree planting initiative must garner at least 60 per cent of the total score per criterion.
Ecological soundness: 70%
- Invasive alien species and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) should not be used.
- The trees to be planted should be suitable to the natural biophysical characteristics of the area, and as such, should, as far as applicable, be suitable to the climate, original topography, soil, and elevation of the area before degradation.
- As far as practicable, chemical pesticides and artificial control agents shall be avoided, or their use shall be minimised and justified.
- Environmentally appropriate collection, handling, and disposal of waste materials shall be in place.
Socio-Economic Impacts: 10%
- When applicable, community participation in the planning process, production of seedlings in nurseries, as well as planting, maintenance, and sustainability of the trees is highly desirable, even when the planting is on government or privately owned land, and should be promoted.
- Tree planting should, as far as practicable —
- contribute to livelihood opportunities to traditional and local communities in the area;
- provide health and well-being benefits to the community; and
- use readily available local seeds and planting materials and/or support the development of local nurseries to produce these materials.
Sustainability: 10%
The proponent should implement maintenance activities for at least one year after the planting to ensure the survivability of the planted seedlings.
Compliance with Governance and Institutional Mechanisms: 10%
- The procedures to be followed should be in accordance with existing national policies of the participating parties’ respective countries.
- Land may be owned publicly by government agencies and bodies at national and/or local levels; privately by individuals or companies; or collectively by indigenous peoples or local communities. In each case, the decision to plant trees in the area must be agreed upon, and involve the owners/managers of the land.
- The proponents of the tree planting activity have obtained the necessary legal requirements and/or permits from the appropriate government authorities.
