Finite Carbon’s Maine St. John River IFM Project Earns an A Rating from MSCI Carbon Project Ratings

Finite Carbon’s Maine St. John River IFM Project Earns an A Rating from MSCI Carbon Project Ratings, Ranks Among the Top 10% of Assessed IFM Projects Globally

Finite Carbon is pleased to announce that its Maine St. John River Improved Forest Management (IFM) Project (ACR 897) has received an A rating. Notably, the project ranked among the top 10% of assessed IFM projects globally and achieved top 10% results for additionality, co-benefits, legal and ethical performance, and delivery risk. This recognition underscores the project’s strong implementation integrity, high-quality carbon credits, and its capacity to deliver lasting climate, environmental, and community benefits through sustainable forest management.

MSCI Carbon Project Ratings offer carbon credit buyers an independent tool for due diligence and project evaluation. Built on MSCI’s extensive experience in financial data analytics, the ratings provide a consistent framework that enhances transparency and confidence in carbon markets. Projects are assessed across six key areas: additionality, quantification, permanence, co-benefits, legal and ethical risk, and delivery risk. For the Maine St. John River IFM Project, this independent assessment highlights strong governance, a conservative quantification approach, and a long-term forest management strategy that supports carbon storage and healthy forests.

 “Receiving an A rating from MSCI Carbon Project Ratings is a significant milestone and a testament to the quality and integrity of this project,” said Dominic Paquet, CEO of Solifor Timberlands, the project owner. “This recognition reflects our commitment to responsible forest management and the long-term climate, environmental, and community benefits the project is designed to deliver.” 

“Ranking among the top 10% of IFM projects assessed globally reflects the strength of the Maine St. John River IFM Project,” said Dylan Jenkins, Vice President of Commercial Operations at Finite Carbon. “Partnering with Solifor Timberlands on this forest carbon project has been a privilege, and we’re proud to see it recognized for its strong governance, conservative quantification approach, and long-term forest management strategy.”

Key assessment results include:

• Received an A rating.
• Ranked among the top 10% of assessed IFM projects globally.
• Placed in the top 10% for additionality, recognizing a significant reduction in projected harvest levels compared to the modeled baseline and a strong demonstration of emissions impact integrity.
• Placed in the top 10% for co-benefits, reflecting the project’s contribution to biodiversity conservation, recreational access, sustainable forestry employment, and protection of ecologically significant forest habitat.
• Placed in the top 10% for legal and ethical performance, recognizing strong governance, secure land ownership, and a low-risk operating environment.
• Placed in the top 10% for delivery risk, supported by long-term legal agreements, secure land tenure, and low exposure to political and natural risks.

The assessment also recognized the project’s conservative quantification approach, secure long-term implementation framework, and comprehensive forest management practices that maintain healthy, resilient forests and generate high-quality carbon credits. These findings give buyers greater confidence in the durability and integrity of the project’s climate benefits.

About the Project

The Maine St. John River IFM Project spans nearly 120,000 acres of privately owned working forest in Somerset and Aroostook Counties in Maine’s North Woods along the Canadian border. Located within the Acadian forest landscape, the project is managed under the American Carbon Registry’s (ACR) Improved Forest Management methodology to conserve native forest through 2062 while maintaining and enhancing forest carbon stocks beyond typical industrial forest management. The forest is certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and provides broad recreational access.

Through sustainable forest management, including deferred harvesting, extended harvest rotations, and the protection of wetlands, riparian areas, and significant natural communities, the project supports biodiversity conservation, resilient forest ecosystems, and long-term climate benefits. Diverse forest types, wetlands, and water bodies, including three state-recognized Great Ponds, contribute to ecosystem resilience, wildlife habitat, and water quality. Solifor’s management approach protects and enhances these ecological values through the conservation of sensitive habitats and long-term forest stewardship.

About Finite Carbon   

Finite is a leading developer and supplier of forest carbon credits in North America. The company partners with landowners to deliver natural climate solutions and bring high-quality carbon credits to market. Since 2009, Finite has developed over 60 forest carbon projects covering 4 million acres in both the voluntary and compliance markets. To date, the company has developed and transacted over 100 million offsets, representing over $1 billion in revenue to forest landowners. The company’s primary mission is to protect and restore forests, promote biodiversity, and mitigate climate change. These efforts also provide co-benefits, including clean air and water, wildlife habitat, and forest jobs, while leaving an enduring legacy for current and future generations.

For more information on our portfolio of high-quality forest carbon projects, visit finitecarbon.com or marketplace.finitecarbon.com.  

To learn more about the Maine St. John River IFM Project and its MSCI Carbon Project Rating assessment, contact Finite Carbon.