This document sets out the ethos, tools, and methods that can be used to provide a greenhouse gas (GHG) balance estimate for ecosystem restoration projects, using a diversity of landscape restoration projects funded by the Endangered Landscapes Programme (ELP) as case studies (covering a range of different habitats and restoration activities). The project aimed to provide ‘real-world’ examples to better inform decision-makers by demonstrating at the policy level the benefits that can be delivered by ecosystem restoration projects, as well as demystifying the process of greenhouse gas accounting for ecosystem restoration projects.

This document is intended to provide guidance to restoration practitioners, project managers, ecologists, and scientists to apply the approaches to their own projects. By following the guidance, the user will be able to:

• Develop scenarios for their ecosystem restoration project
• Identify and collect relevant data
• Select an appropriate tool for quantifying the greenhouse gas balance of their restoration project
• Use the outputs to understand the potential impact of their restoration activities on GHG balances, which can be used in planning project activities and/or demonstrating project benefits
• Understand the limitations and uncertainties associated with the use of tools and methodologies to quantify greenhouse gas balances