Fair Carbon First Inc. · Policy · Your land, your carbon, your benefit

Our First Nations Engagement Policy

Fair Carbon First Inc. helps First Nations realise the carbon value of the lands and waters they steward — at cost, and as part of our corporate climate ambition. This policy sets out how we work: Indigenous ownership of the carbon and the credits, free, prior and informed consent at every step, data sovereignty, and benefit that stays with the community. We are a partner, never a broker.

Our commitment

Fair Carbon First Inc. exists to help First Nations realise the carbon value of the lands and waters they steward — at cost, and as part of our corporate climate ambition. We work as a partner, never a broker. The Nation owns the land, the carbon, the credits and the benefit; we bring the expertise to unlock them, and then we step back. Your land. Your carbon. Your decision.

Purpose & scope

This policy governs how Fair Carbon First Inc. and every member of our team engages with First Nations, their governments and their enterprises across Canada on carbon and clean-energy opportunities — from improved forest management and soil carbon to renewable energy, bioenergy, biochar and durable carbon removal. It applies to every engagement we undertake.

Guiding principles

Indigenous ownership

The Nation owns the land, the carbon rights, the credits and the revenue. We never take ownership of a community’s carbon assets.

At cost — no margin

We work at cost. We do not take a margin or commission from your carbon revenue. Our fees are open-book and cover only our costs.

Free, Prior & Informed Consent

Nothing proceeds without your informed consent at each stage. Consent is ongoing and can be withdrawn. You set the pace.

Self-determination & rights

We respect inherent, Treaty and title rights and the right to self-government, and we follow each Nation’s own laws, governance and protocols.

Benefit stays with the community

Revenue, jobs, capacity and intellectual property remain with the Nation. We structure benefit-sharing in the community’s favour.

Indigenous data sovereignty

Your data is yours. We follow OCAP® — Ownership, Control, Access and Possession — and never sell or repurpose community data.

Integrity, not greenwashing

We use high-integrity methodologies and honest, independent verification, and we are candid about price, durability, risk and timelines.

Capacity & knowledge transfer

We build your team’s capacity so your Nation can lead its own projects over time, and we honour traditional knowledge as expertise.

How we work — Nation-led, at every step

1 · AssessFree first read of the opportunity.
2 · ConsentFPIC before anything proceeds.
3 · DevelopDesign the project with you.
4 · FundMatch grants & low-cost finance.
5 · VerifyBaselines, MRV, registration.
6 · SellFair-price buyers & offtake.
7 · SustainHand over & keep supporting.

Every stage proceeds only with the Nation’s informed consent, on the Nation’s timeline, under the Nation’s governance — and our fees are open-book and at cost throughout.

What we commit to

  • Put your consent first, at every stage.
  • Keep ownership of carbon rights, credits and data with your Nation.
  • Work at cost, with open-book fees and no hidden commissions.
  • Be honest about value, risk, durability and timelines — no overpromising.
  • Write agreements in plain language, with fair exit terms.
  • Transfer skills and knowledge so your Nation can lead.

What we will never do

  • Take ownership of your carbon rights or credits.
  • Take a margin or commission from your carbon revenue without full, upfront disclosure.
  • Proceed without free, prior and informed consent.
  • Lock your Nation into restrictive or open-ended agreements.
  • Use, share or sell your community’s data without your control and consent.
  • Overstate the price or volume of credits to win the work.

Frameworks we align with

UNDRIPFree, Prior & Informed Consent (FPIC)OCAP® — Indigenous data sovereigntyTRC Calls to Action (incl. #92)UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights

Accountability & review

We welcome challenge. Any community, partner or team member can raise a concern about how we are living up to this policy by contacting us directly. We review this policy at least annually and update it in dialogue with the Nations and Indigenous organisations we work with. Where we fall short, we will say so — and we will fix it.

Carbon, done right. Partner with Fair Carbon First.

If your Nation is exploring the carbon value of its lands, waters or operations, we would be honoured to help — at cost, on your terms, with you in control. A first conversation costs nothing.