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Background:
Nature-based solutions (NbS) such as afforestation, reforestation, soil carbon enhancement, and mangrove restoration are increasingly recognized as vital pathways for carbon sequestration.Through credible methodologies and robust monitoring systems, these interventions generate nature-based carbon credits that are gaining prominence in voluntary and compliance markets. Beyond climate mitigation, these projects create measurable socio-economic co-benefits. By integrating communities into project design, implementation, and monitoring, carbon credit initiatives can generate employment, diversify incomes through non-timber forest products, enhance resilience to climate change, and improve long-term livelihood security. This webinar aims to bring together scientific evidence, field experiences, and market perspectives to understand how nature-based carbon credits can serve not only as climate instruments but also as enablers of inclusive rural development. IORA Ecological Solutions, a leading developer of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) projects with proven expertise in climate finance, policy advisory, scientific research, and on-ground implementation, in collaboration with the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is pleased to present a focused and interactive 2-hour webinar. This session is designed to equip business leaders, sustainability professionals, and investors with a clear and actionable understanding of the nature based carbon credit ecosystem—covering project development, market mechanisms, regulatory updates, and strategies for meaningful corporate engagement in both oluntary and compliance carbon markets
Objective:
The objective of this webinar is to examine how scientifically robust nature-based carbon credit projects—grounded in sound ecological principles, credible MRV methodologies, and transparent benefit-sharing frameworks—can not only deliver measurable climate mitigation outcomes but also enhance rural livelihoods by generating employment, strengthening community enterprises, and improving long-term socio-economic resilience.
Thematic Areas for the webinar:
1. Setting the context: Nature-based Carbon Credits
a. What are nature-based carbon credits? (ARR, REDD+, agroforestry, mangroves, soil carbon).
b. Current global and Indian market trends.
c. Dual benefits: Climate mitigation + livelihood generation.
2. Linking Carbon Credits with Community Livelihoods
a. Pathways: wages during plantation, revenue from credit sales, NTFPs, ecosystem services.
b. Benefit-sharing models (SHGs, FPOs, cooperatives).
c. Case examples from India & global south.
3. Implementation Science: From Project Design to Community Livelihood Gains
a. Biophysical site assessment (soil, water, vegetation indices, carbon potential).
b. Socio-economic baseline surveys (household income, livelihood dependency).
c. Participatory modeling of future carbon + livelihood scenarios.
d. Application of methodologies (Verra, Gold Standard etc.).
e. Monitoring systems: combining remote sensing + community-based MRV.
4. Risks, Uncertainties & Scientific Gaps
a. Uncertainty in carbon measurements (remote sensing vs ground truthing).
b. Risks of overestimating carbon or underreporting social inequities.
c. Long-term risks: price volatility, permanence, ecosystem degradation.
d. Need for interdisciplinary MRV: carbon + biodiversity + socio-economic indicators.
5. Emerging Research and Future Opportunities
a. Premium markets for “high-integrity credits with measurable co-benefits.”
b. Role of AI/ML, satellite data, blockchain for transparent MRV.
c. Research opportunities: socio-economic impact quantification, gender disaggregated livelihood data.
d. Policy research needs: how to integrate NbS into NDCs and SDG tracking.
Target Audience
This webinar is tailored for a diverse group of professionals who are engaged in or looking to understand carbon markets and climate finance. This includes corporate sustainability and ESG leaders, carbon market practitioners, CSR and environmental strategy professionals, and climate finance stakeholders such as investors and analysts. It will also benefit government and policy professionals working on environmental governance, as well as representatives of industry bodies, chambers, and associations aiming to support their members in climate-aligned growth. Finally, it serves as an excellent learning opportunity for students and researchers specializing in climate policy, sustainable development, or environmental economics.
Expected Outcome
The webinar is expected to enhance participants’ understanding of the scientific foundations of nature-based carbon credits, provide evidence-based insights on their role in improving community livelihoods, and outline practical pathways for project design, implementation, and monitoring. It will also raise awareness of potential risks such as market volatility and social inequities, while offering safeguards and solutions. In addition, the session will create opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange among practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and community representatives, equipping participants with actionable takeaways and tools to integrate climate and livelihood benefits into their own initiatives.
Speaker Profile
Mr. Swapan Mehra
Founder-CEO of Iora Ecological Solutions Pvt Ltd
Swapan Mehra is the Founder-CEO of Iora Ecological Solutions Pvt Ltd, a leading environmental advisory firm in India dedicated to advancing climate action through nature- based solutions. With expertise in environmental finance and climate policy, he has pioneered innovative nature finance initiatives and community resilience programs, empowering grassroots conservation. Swapan holds an MBA from IIFM Bhopal and a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School. A World Economic Forum Young Global Leader (2020), Donella Meadows Fellow, and LEAD India Fellow, he has authored over 40 publications on climate finance, biodiversity, REDD+, and ecosystem service valuation. A well-established thought leader, Swapan serves on several national and international forums, including the Green Credit Program Technical Committee for the Government of India, the Technology Selection Committee for the Jal Jeevan Mission, and the International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credit. He is also a member of the Expert Advisory Group for the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI), the WEF Stakeholder Council, the Natural Capital Steering Group, and the NCS Investments Taskforce under 1t.org. He has also led carbon finance and climate investment teams at Evolution Markets and AES India during the early Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) years.
