SODA CLASS 004 - Land Systems
Keep natural cover intact, year by year. Real outcomes, proven first, claimed once, and easy to verify.
Land Systems
SODA-004 recognises land-system outcomes, maintaining or restoring intact natural cover for a full year, using the Natural-Cover-Year (ncy). Sub-class: 004NCY Natural-Cover-Year. Issuance is ex-post only.
Targeted impact: Hold the line against ecosystem fragmentation and loss, protect contiguous natural areas that underpin resilience, water regulation and biodiversity.
Why the SODA Standard matters here?
- Clean accounting: This Class separates “cover” outcomes from species and water services, avoiding overlap.
- Verification + transparency: Evidence, methods and verifier opinions live with the unit’s registry record.
Note: SODA-004 does not grant land tenure or land-clearing rights; it evidences outcomes and claims.
Sub-class
004NCY - Natural-Cover-Year
- Outline: One hectare of natural cover maintained/restored above a method threshold for one year, net of leakage and baseline effects.
- Where it applies: Indigenous Protected Areas, private sanctuaries, stewardship agreements.
Claims guardrails: Say exactly what area, what threshold, which year. Keep visuals and headlines consistent with the evidence pack to meet consumer-law expectations.