SODA CLASS 004 - Land Systems

Keep natural cover intact, year by year. Real outcomes, proven first, claimed once, and easy to verify.

Land Systems

SODA-004 recognises land-system outcomes—maintaining or restoring intact natural cover for a full year—using the Natural-Cover-Year (ncy). Sub-class: 004NCY Natural-Cover-Year. Issuance is ex-post only.

Targeted impact: Hold the line against ecosystem fragmentation and loss—protect contiguous natural areas that underpin resilience, water regulation and biodiversity.

Why the SODA Standard matters here?

Clean accounting: This Class separates “cover” outcomes from species and water services, avoiding overlap.
Verification + transparency: Evidence, methods and verifier opinions live with the unit’s registry record.

Note: SODA-004 does not grant land tenure or land-clearing rights; it evidences outcomes and claims.

Sub-class

004NCY — Natural-Cover-Year

Outline: One hectare of natural cover maintained/restored above a method threshold for one year, net of leakage and baseline effects.
Where it applies: Indigenous Protected Areas, private sanctuaries, stewardship agreements.
Worked example: 50 ha of intact native vegetation verified in-condition across the year → 50 ncy issued (evidence in the LRPDS).

Claims guardrails: Say exactly what area, what threshold, which year. Keep visuals and headlines consistent with the evidence pack to meet consumer-law expectations.