Dynamic Carbon Credits’ Research Uncovers Inadequate Results In Forest Sequestering Projects

March 1, 2023

As concerns about climate change continue to rise, more and more companies are claiming to be part of the solution by pursuing carbon credits. These are certificates that are sold to large emitters, allowing them to offset their carbon output by investing in activities such as reforestation, renewable energy, or energy efficiency projects. However, a growing number of experts are criticizing the legitimacy of certain projects that claim to sequester carbon by preserving existing forests. In this article, Dynamic Carbon Credits explores why these companies taking existing forest and claiming carbon credits on them is not actually sequestering additional carbon from the atmosphere and why it is a scam. 

Firstly, it’s important to understand the science behind carbon sequestration. Trees naturally absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, using it in the process of photosynthesis to create energy for growth. Carbon is stored in the wood and other plant tissues, making forests an important sink for carbon. When trees are cut down or burned, they release the carbon back into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Therefore, preserving forests is seen as an effective way to mitigate climate change by keeping the carbon stored in trees. 

However, companies claiming carbon credits from preserving existing forests are not actually sequestering additional carbon. This is because forests that are already intact are already sequestering carbon naturally. It’s like asking for payment for doing something that was already happening. Additionally, most companies and initiatives taking advantage of this method have no measuring way of calculating the amount of carbon already sequestered in the forest, nor do they track how much the forest would have been used for other purposes like timber or development. Therefore, they end up taking credit and selling carbon offsets for work they did not actually accomplish. 

In conclusion, taking existing forest and claiming carbon credits on them is not actually sequestering additional carbon from the atmosphere. While there are some legitimate reforestation projects out there that can play a role in mitigating climate change, companies must exercise extreme caution before investing in any carbon offset projects. There must be a regulatory oversight body to ensure that companies providing carbon offsets follow a strict set of rules and procedures so that only those who have carried out carbon sequestration activities that are measured, verified, and additional receive payment for the obligation. Anything short of this could be a waste of time and resources, adding to other contributing factors that are impacting the environment negatively. 

Dynamic Carbon Credits is a local carbon sequestering company that sets the benchmark for helping businesses pioneer carbon neutral solutions with plant-based technology. Our solution is unique because we utilize one of the only plants that pulls carbon from the air and returns it back to the soil. Due to this effectiveness, we create a high value solution for companies looking for carbon neutral options. We typically provide resources to Fortune 500, large and medium businesses in the United States and internationally. Dynamic Carbon Credits is a team of industry experts in agriculture, government, science, and business who understand what framework needs to be in place to correctly validate carbon offset projects. We are proud to be a leading benchmark in this industry. 

Let’s Work Together! 

Dynamic Carbon Credits is ready to show you how to solve your most pressing business challenges. Contact us today and begin seeing the results! 

Methods of Capturing Carbon

Attribute
Traditional Offsets (Forestry)
Dynamic Carbon Credits
Permanence
10-50 years (variable)
100-1000 years
Measurement Frequency
Annual, manual
Continuous sensor-driven
Additionality Risk
Moderate
Low (based on waste-to-value)
Double Counting Vulnerability
Medium
Low (blockchain-tracked)
Co-benefits
Biodiversity
Soil productivity water retention

The Forestry Credit Reckoning—and Why It Matters

For years, forestry projects—ranging from tree planting to forest conservation—have dominated the voluntary carbon market. But cracks are forming in the bark.

In 2023 and 2024, high-profile investigations revealed that many forestry-based carbon credits, particularly those certified under certain REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) schemes, failed to deliver on their promises. Credits were issued for forest areas that were never at risk of deforestation, or for carbon that was “saved” but ultimately released due to fire, logging, or policy shifts.

A 2023 Science study found that over 90% of REDD+ credits analyzed didn’t represent real emissions reductions, raising questions about the legitimacy of billions of dollars’ worth of offsets.

This crisis of confidence has made buyers—especially high-profile firms like Microsoft—much more selective. It’s no longer acceptable to count a ton of CO₂ as “offset” if that credit lacks permanence or fails the test of additionality.

🔍 The Microsoft Response: A Deliberate Shift

Microsoft’s pivot toward biochar, BECCS, and other technology-based carbon removals is no coincidence. It’s a response to systemic flaws in forestry credits—flaws that Dynamic Carbon Credits were explicitly designed to solve. By investing in solutions that are verifiable, permanent, and local, Microsoft is helping rebuild trust in the carbon credit system.

In effect, we’re witnessing a transition to a post-forest offset economy, where science-backed carbon sequestration outpaces tree planting in both credibility and climate impact.

Carbon Offset Companies as Market Architects

Behind every corporate carbon strategy is a growing ecosystem of carbon offset companies that bridge the gap between emitters and sequestration technologies. These firms validate project quality, enforce verification standards, and help corporations like Microsoft meet their Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions targets.

Microsoft’s partnerships with providers like Chestnut Carbon, Re.green, and innovators aligned with Dynamic Carbon Credits demonstrate how curated, science-based offsets can scale with integrity.

Conclusion: A Future Built on Durable Carbon Removal

Microsoft’s carbon credit strategy is more than a corporate emissions ledger—it’s a blueprint for responsible climate finance. By prioritizing high-quality, durable carbon removals like Dynamic Carbon Credits and biochar, the company is sending a signal: the era of low-integrity offsets is over.

As AI expands and data centers devour electricity, the companies that thrive will be those that match innovation with accountability—and carbon neutrality with climate impact.

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