The AFF Auction: A Simplified Buying Timeline

The American Forest Foundation Carbon Auction is a new streamlined way for buyers to secure high-quality carbon credits. Rather than the typical year-long procurement timelines, the auction offers companies a chance to secure credits over several weeks. We created a simplified buying timeline to guide participants through the next steps in the process. Here is what you can expect from now until contracts are signed. 

January 8 - March 12 – Data Room Opens & Due Diligence Review 

The auction format addresses the transactional friction buyers and developers often face throughout the carbon credit procurement and sales cycle. Now registered buyers will have access to the initial due diligence resources in one central place – a data room. The data room will have program details, technical information on our methodology, permanence, leakage, financial models, commercial structures, and more.  

Based on feedback from buyers, we are now extending the due diligence time period to 9 weeks to give buyers more time to evaluate their investment. Buyers will now have from January 8 – March 12 to do desktop due diligence before the auction begins.  

FFCP staff will also be available for calls to answer any questions.  If you want to get a head start on your due diligence review, please connect with Memorie English at menglish@forestfoundation.org. 

January 9 – “A Higher Integrity Way to Buy Carbon Credits” Webinar 

The second webinar of the auction series “A Higher Integrity Way to Buy Carbon Credits” will be hosted on January 9th with speakers from the American Forest Foundation: Senior Director of Environmental Markets and Project Finance John Ringer, Executive Vice President of Carbon Origination Christine Cadigan, and Lead Scientist Lynn Riley. They will go into depth about the practices designed specifically for small landowners, how FFCP ensures the integrity of its credits, and the commercial terms available. Register here to learn more about the FFCP credits available for purchase through the auction.  

Early February – Bidding Demo  

The AFF Auction will be hosted on Prosfora —a newly developed, intuitive technology platform designed to streamline transactions and minimize time spent evaluating opportunities. The Prosfora platform is built on Lydion Vault technology that facilitates the secure packaging, exchange, and productization of data assets. A thorough walk-through of the auction platform will be held in an upcoming webinar, so auction participants will know what to expect once logged into the platform.  

March 12 - 19  – Auction Open 

Finally, auction week opens! Throughout this week, registered bidders will be able to make multiple anonymous bids and see competing bids based on volumes, issuance years, contract length, and other commercial terms. All bidders will remain anonymous, while still being able to view the terms of other bids, allowing them to create the offer that is best for them while maintaining their privacy. Our staff will be available to answer questions and guide bidders through the auction process.  

March - April – Additional due diligence  

Results will be announced shortly after the auction commences. Awarded bidders will be allowed an additional window of opportunity after the auction closes to perform any necessary additional due diligence prior to contracting, which can include a site visit as needed. Our team is happy to discuss how your procurement and due diligence processes can fit within our auction approach.  

Sign up and Stay Updated! 

We are excited to be able to bring this first-of-its kind auction to the natural climate solutions space, creating access into the carbon credits market, and giving upfront financing to forest projects. Be at the forefront of scaling the VCM and register for the auction here.