Background: Zhangye Improved Grassland Management Project is located on 261,059.80 ha of degraded grassland in Zhangye City, the northwest of Gansu Province and in the middle of Hexi corridor where the Qinghai Tibet Plateau and Mongolia Plateau meet. Before the implementation of the project, the grassland in the region has been facing serious degradation and even desertification due to the impact of climate change and human activities. Project activities: The project applies to Verra’s Sustainable Grassland Management methodology. Three main restoration measures are followed in the project, being rotational grazing, rest grazing and reseeding grass depending on the degradation levels of grasslands in the project area. Besides these main restoration activities, the project also alleviates soil desertification and restore grassland vegetation to improve soil carbon storage and local biodiversity through grassland management measures, such as daily management measures from other protect projects like rodent and pest control and grassland fire prevention to ensure the long-term sustainable management of the project area. General information: The project is certified under Verra, an ICROA-endorsed registry. The project is estimated to generate GHG emission removals of 28,789,533 tCO2e in 40 years, with an average annual GHG emission removal of 719,738 tCO2e. Monitoring: The monitoring of the project implementation will take place at least every five years. The project proponent hired local herders and communities for daily supervision and data management during the project implementation while office manager oversees the whole working group. A monitoring group has been established by Zhangye Academy of Forestry Sciences to carry out the monitoring work. The monitoring will be carried out on the ground and also includes carbon stock changes, leakage and biomass stock. Additionality: Revenue from carbon credits is crucial for carrying out the project, as there are nolaws or regulations requiring the project activity, as well as no other sources of funding adequate to cover the costs of the project activities. Climate Co-benefits: The project offers significant climate co-benefits by restoring degraded grassland ecosystems, which is vital for increasing the area's grassland coverage. Expanding these grasslands not only restores their natural beauty and ecological functions but also enhances their ability to function as carbon sinks. This increased carbon sequestration capacity plays a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change by capturing and storing carbon more effectively within these revived ecosystems. Community co-benefits: The project also delivers substantial community co-benefits by improving the livelihoods of local herders. It creates both permanent and temporary job opportunities, which helps to increase the income levels of these community members. Additionally, the project offers technical skills and training in sustainable grassland management, equipping local herders with the knowledge and tools necessary to both enhance their own living standards and contribute to the preservation and enhancement of their natural environment. Biodiversity co-benefits: The project significantly enhances biodiversity co-benefits by providing more suitable habitats for wild animals, which contributes to an increase in local biodiversity. By rehabilitating and expanding grassland areas, the initiative ensures a healthier and more diverse ecosystem, where various species can thrive.

Co-benefits certification