LiDAR laser scanning improves forest carbon estimates but transparency issues remain in carbon markets

A new study from Australia shows that ground-based LiDAR scanning can measure forest carbon more accurately than the government's FullCAM model, finding 8% more carbon in restored rainforest plots than the model estimated. The technology creates 3D maps of forest structure, offering a potential upgrade for verifying carbon credits from reforestation projects. However, experts caution that better measurement tools alone won't fix the carbon market's credibility problem. The biggest issue remains transparency: many projects still do not publish enough data for independent verification. LiDAR equipment also costs over $40,000, limiting access for smaller projects. The article notes that reforestation credits currently make up only about 1% of issued credits in Australia.