Forestry Carbon Credit Programs Have a Poor Track Record. Can a More Refined Approach Fix the Problem?

Inside Climate News · By Theo Peck-Suzuki · last updated December 6, 2025 – 12:02 AM

The Family Forest Carbon Program pays landowners not to timber their trees, then sells the additional growth as carbon credits. But critics question whether it leads to overall emissions reductions.

By Theo Peck-Suzuki

David Funk has spent decades working to restore the native forest ecosystems of southeast Ohio. Now, he’s finally getting paid for it—through a carbon credit program.

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