What is a Source?

Description of a Source in the METI framework

Definition

A Source refers to the point of origin of an environmental benefit. For METI, a Source is considered an individual contiguous parcel or facility that is the smallest unit of land with the following characteristics:

1. A permanent, contiguous boundary Example: A 40-acre field used for regenerative grazing, surrounded by roads or fences that clearly define its edges.

2. A common land cover and land management Example: A corn field with cover cropping and no-till practices applied across the entire parcel.

3. Common ownership or group of owners/land managers Example: A pasture owned by a farming cooperative or managed jointly by a family under a single operational agreement.

4. A common project administrator or project proponent (i.e., Custodian) Example: A reforestation project led by a local conservation NGO overseeing multiple parcels within a watershed program.

These criteria ensure that each Source is distinctly identifiable, manageable, and accurately linked to its environmental outcomes.

Example

Below is an example of three fields that meet METI’s definition of a Source. Each field represents a distinct, contiguous parcel of land with a defined boundary, consistent land cover and management practices, and shared oversight by a common project administrator (i.e. Custodian). These fields demonstrate how Sources are clearly delineated and aligned with METI’s standards for secure environmental asset tracking.

• Field ID: 1 Crop Type: Corn Management Practices: No-Till

• Field ID: 2 Crop Type: Soybeans Management Practices: No-Till & Cover Crops

• Field ID: 3 Crop Type: Wheat Management Practices: No-Till & Cover Crops

This example highlights how Sources are identified and differentiated based on specific attributes, ensuring accurate and consistent tracking of environmental outcomes.