@Brendanjones There is a classic often reposted letter to the editor where a farmer wanted to get into the business of not farming.

I want to not cut down trees, and get paid for it.

Can I get paid for not burning down houses too? How about not torching cars?

@Brendanjones
> why would we ever give out carbon credits for not chopping down a forest?

The "owner" of the forest would say,: Because it's my forest and I can get money for chopping it down and selling its bits. I'll stop if you pay me enough.

I would say: Because that's a threat of extortion, yet somehow we don't have the courage to make it illegal to chop down forests that would be useful carbon sinks.