A coalition led by the American Forest Foundation has released a framework called 'contracted durability' to address reversal risk in carbon removal projects. The structure combines ongoing liability assignment with financial tools to compensate for any carbon that gets released back into the atmosphere. Two key mechanisms are horizontal stacking, where a reversed credit is replaced, and permanence trusts funded by per-credit fees. The researchers argue that current permanence requirements in climate policy often exceed what carbon crediting programs guarantee, creating a gap in responsibility. The framework is meant to work across all removal types, from forestry to direct air capture. AFF is developing a pilot program based on initial feasibility study results.
