Forest protection and conservation projects are an emissions-reduction project type within the land & forests segment of the carbon market. They are designed to protect existing forest carbon stocks from degradation, conversion, or unsustainable harvest. The carbon benefit comes from avoided emissions from degradation, conversion, or excessive harvest. Common project configurations include Forest conservation; avoided forest degradation; protected area interventions where crediting rules allow.

High-carbon, high-threat forests can be especially important, but proof of genuine threat and durable protection is essential. These projects can protect large carbon stocks and important ecosystems, but their credibility depends heavily on baseline setting, leakage control, permanence, and the strength of social and land-rights safeguards. For buyers and program designers, the most important diligence questions are: What threat is being avoided? How are additionality, land tenure, leakage, and permanence demonstrated?