ARLINGTON, VA — July 22, 2025 — The Secretariat of the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) announces the opening of a global public comment period for Version 3.0 of The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES). TREES is ART’s rigorous standard to certify high-integrity emission reductions and removals from protecting and restoring forests at scale.

The consultation draft of TREES 3.0 reflects the input of dozens of stakeholders and the lessons learned through implementation of the current standard. It clarifies a range of key provisions and addresses common questions, while maintaining continuity in ART’s approach to ensuring high environmental and social integrity of TREES credits. Periodic updates to TREES are part of ART’s commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and implementation-based evolution so that TREES continues to serve as the global quality benchmark for jurisdictional REDD+.  

Key Highlights of TREES 3.0:

  • Stakeholder-Informed Updates: TREES 3.0 incorporates insights from three in-person regional dialogues with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities held over the past year, input from ART’s IPLC Advisory Group, and feedback from more than two dozen organizations, including governments, NGOs, civil society, and technical service providers for carbon accounting and safeguards.
  • Transition Pathway for FCPF Participants: TREES 3.0 introduces a new eligibility pathway for Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) jurisdictions, allowing them to build on their REDD+ progress under the World Bank’s FCPF Carbon Fund and Readiness Fund as those programs sunset.
  • Extension of Timeline for Subnational Participation: TREES 3.0 proposes requiring a transition to national accounting by 2040 instead of 2030.
  • Revisions to Safeguards: TREES 3.0 includes updates to clarify and streamline ART’s safeguards framework.

“We are excited about this evolution of TREES, which is grounded in implementation and engagement over the past four years with more than two dozen jurisdictions. We extend our sincere thanks to the many stakeholders who contributed to this update through regional dialogues, our IPLC Advisory Group, and a broad range of insights from governments and other critical stakeholders. Your input continues to shape a more effective and equitable path for climate action through jurisdictional REDD+,” said Mary Grady, Executive Director of ART. 

Stakeholders are strongly encouraged to review the proposed updates and submit written feedback by September 22, 2025. Comments will be reviewed and used to inform final revisions to TREES 3.0 prior to Board approval and publication.  

The consultation draft of TREES 3.0 and summary of changes from version 2.0 are available in multiple languages on the TREES 3.0 webpage, which also includes instructions on submitting comments and links to register for webinars on the proposed updates in TREES 3.0.