In general terms, the baseline scenario of a carbon offset project is analyzing the land use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a project area if the project were not to occur. Having an accurate baseline scenario is a crucial step for carbon offset projects. This is because the removal/reduction of GHG emissions from the project will be compared to the GHG emissions from the baseline scenario. Thus, having huge implications on the amounts of carbon credits awarded to the project once run through a crediting GHG program like the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS).

In the process of moving the world to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), the development of carbon markets took shape. These markets allow companies, NGOs, and even individuals to trade emissions. This is done in the form of carbon credits, a verified and validated unit, where one credit equals one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent avoided, reduced, or removed from the atmosphere. Two markets exist where these units are traded, compliance markets and voluntary markets. Mitigation Partners, Inc. (MPI) is looking at what these two markets are and how they are regulated.

Due to the numerous positive benefits of NBS and their cost-effective and sustainable approach to environmental issues, they are becoming increasingly popular as a viable alternative to traditional engineering solutions. Minnesota contains a plethora of restorative carbon sequestration opportunities rooted in the Nature-based solutions framework. From the drained peatlands up north to the reforestation opportunities around the State. Mitigation Partners Inc. is committed to restoring natural habitats, improving biodiversity, creating economic opportunities, and improving the health of our Minnesota community.

The carbon cycle is an important part of the Earth's climate system. The cycle involves the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, land, and oceans. The land and oceans each have carbon sinks which store atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) for some time before it is released and cycles through again. It is an essential process for supporting life on Earth and overall environmental health. This relationship can be complex and takes long periods to study. However, a few simple explanations can make this topic more clear.

Carbon sequestration is an important topic of conversation in the world today. It involves capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it via biological, geological, or technological methods. Carbon sequestration aims to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Moving forward, this process is a critically important part of the effort to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) plays a crucial role in determining the scope of federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act (CWA), which is the primary federal law for protecting the quality of the nation's water resources. The CWA does not define WOTUS; rather, it provides the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the regulatory agencies that oversee the CWA, with the authority to define WOTUS in regulations. The definition of WOTUS has a long and complex history that has been shaped by a variety of legal, political, and environmental factors.

The primary goal at MPI is to have a full understanding of the available banks and credits coming online now and in the future. In the Upper Midwest there are currently more banks available and more coming online than ever before. It has never been more important to have a finger on the pulse of projects getting permitted and those needing credits.

Minnesota’s wetlands come in different shapes, sizes and forms, but all provide numerous ecological services to plants, animals and humans alike. But what exactly is a wetland? Is it that cattail pond in my neighbor’s backyard? Or is that seasonally flooded lowland on my property? Here we offer a basic overview of wetlands and ways to identify them.