Pioneering climate solutions: ACR’s portfolio of methodologies is powering global climate results
As the world races to meet the urgent challenge of climate change, ACR at Winrock International is leading the way with science-based solutions that unlock the power of carbon markets. ACR develops rigorous, peer-reviewed methodologies that enable the generation of high-integrity carbon credits — tools that help businesses, governments and communities take responsibility for their carbon emissions while financing real, measurable climate benefits.
Carbon credits are a vital part of the climate action toolkit. They represent verified reductions or removals of greenhouse gas emissions and can be purchased by companies to address their own emissions. But not all carbon credits are created equal. That’s where ACR comes in — ensuring that every credit issued is backed by robust science, conservative accounting and real-world impact.
ACR manages a portfolio of 11 methodologies, each designed to address a unique climate challenge. They serve as blueprints for quantifying and verifying emission reductions and removals across a wide range of sectors and ecosystems. From forests to landfills, refrigerants to wetlands, ACR’s methodologies are helping to scale up climate action where it’s needed most.
Why does this matter? Because each methodology opens the door for new types of climate projects to participate in carbon markets — bringing in new actors, new geographies and new opportunities for climate impact. For example, ACR’s methodology for the restoration of Pocosin wetlands targets a carbon-rich ecosystem found in the southeastern U.S. These peatlands store vast amounts of carbon and restoring them not only prevents emissions but also enhances biodiversity and water quality.
Other methodologies tackle industrial and technological sources of emissions. ACR’s protocols for HFC refrigerants, ozone-depleting substances, and destruction of ozone-depleting substances and high-GWP foam address some of the most potent greenhouse gases on the planet — gases that, if released, have thousands of times the warming potential of carbon dioxide. By providing a pathway to safely destroy or replace these substances, ACR is helping to eliminate emissions that are accelerating the near-term impacts of climate change.
In the land sector, ACR’s methodologies for improved forest management, active conservation of U.S. forestlands, and afforestation and reforestation of degraded lands are enabling landowners and communities to turn forest management and conservation into climate action. Notably, the latter methodology recently earned Core Carbon Principles approval from the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market — an important recognition that affirms the methodology’s environmental integrity, transparency and alignment with global best practices.
ACR’s work is more than technical — it’s transformational. Each methodology is developed in collaboration with a diverse network of partners, which can range from and include scientists, project developers, Indigenous leaders and industry experts. This collaborative approach ensures ACR’s methodologies are not only scientifically sound but also practical, equitable and scalable.
Together, these 11 methodologies reflect the breadth and depth of ACR’s commitment to climate innovation. Whether it’s capturing methane from landfills, enabling carbon capture and storage, or protecting forests across the U.S., ACR is helping to turn climate ambition into results. And in doing so, it’s advancing Winrock’s mission to empower the world’s most vulnerable people and ecosystems through sustainable, science-driven solutions.
As the climate crisis intensifies, the need for credible, scalable and inclusive action has never been greater. With its portfolio of methodologies, ACR is setting the pace for a more sustainable, resilient future.
Related Projects
