Forest climate projects can trigger leakage when harvesting activities shift geographically, or market effects move demand and supply to other regions. Such indirect emissions are critical for the environmental integrity of Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects. This study was developed in the context of certified IFM projects aiming to increase or maintain forest carbon stocks. The objective was to identify and quantify potential direct leakage through activity shifting as well as market shifting and their effects on roundwood demand and supply. Building on these analyses, the study aimed to derive a practical recommendation for quantifying potential leakage emissions for use within the Forest Climate Standard (WKS).

• Systematic literature and evidence review on forestry leakage (German/international)
• Comparative assessment of certification standards’ approaches to leakage
• Review of mechanisms and quantification approaches in WKS IFM methodologies
• Identification and quantification of activity-shifting and market-shifting leakage
• Practical recommendation for quantifying potential leakage emissions under WKS