Green Initiative is pleased to announce its participation in the Environmental Finance Awards 2025, a distinguished platform recognizing impactful contributions to sustainable finance, environmental leadership, and innovation in climate action.
Our participation highlights two flagship initiatives that embody our mission to advance scalable, science-based solutions for a climate- and nature-positive future:
- The Net Zero Transformation of Machu Picchu, a globally recognized model for regenerative tourism and decarbonization of UNESCO Designated Sites.
- Forest Friends, a high-integrity ecosystem restoration program operating in biodiversity hotspots throughout the Americas.
These programs are examples of how measurable climate action and biodiversity protection can be effectively integrated into public policy, private sector innovation, and community engagement.
Machu Picchu: A Global Benchmark in Net Zero Tourism
Since 2019, under the technical guidance of Green Initiative, Machu Picchu has implemented a comprehensive decarbonization strategy that has resulted in an 18.77% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, positioning it as the first UNESCO Designated Site to be certified carbon neutral.
The strategy includes:
- Native ecosystem restoration and carbon capture aligned with UN standards;
- Circular economy systems for waste valorization and local employment;
- Renewable energy and sustainable transport solutions;
- Transparent and real-time carbon monitoring using the Greenia platform and the Climate Performance Platform.
This project has catalyzed peer learning and policy alignment throughout Peru’s Sacred Valley and globally, with structured collaborations now underway between Machu Picchu and sites such as Angkor Wat, Taj Mahal, and Cristo Redentor.
🡒 Learn more: Machu Picchu Net Zero Strategy and Climate Talks
Forest Friends: Advancing Nature-Positive Action through Verified Ecosystem Restoration
Forest Friends is Green Initiative’s market-based nature restoration program, developed to enable companies and individuals to make measurable contributions to biodiversity recovery and carbon sequestration. The program has already supported the planting of over 13,000 native trees across more than 200 hectares in priority conservation areas such as the Amazon, Tropical Andes, and Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula.
Key components include:
- Exclusive focus on internationally recognized biodiversity hotspots;
- Use of advanced satellite-based monitoring (NDVI, GEDI, GIS) to ensure accountability and impact;
- Implementation through local partnerships with indigenous communities and agroforestry cooperatives;
- A robust reporting system that integrates restoration data with emissions tracking and climate disclosures.
Forest Friends is aligned with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and follows the UN’s Ten Principles for Ecological Restoration (2021–2030), providing a replicable model for corporate engagement in nature-positive development.
🡒 Explore the program: https://forestfriends.eco
Building Global Momentum for Climate and Nature Leadership
By participating in the Environmental Finance Awards 2025, Green Initiative is proud to join a community of forward-thinking organizations committed to reshaping how the global economy responds to the climate and biodiversity crises.
While we are not nominated for an award, our participation underscores the urgency of sharing replicable models that combine policy innovation, scientific integrity, and measurable outcomes.
Through initiatives like Machu Picchu and Forest Friends, we aim to demonstrate that climate and nature-positive transitions are more than possible: they are essential for long-term resilience, equity, and competitiveness.
We remain committed to supporting governments, companies, and civil society in implementing integrated solutions that respond to the challenges of our time with clarity, transparency, and impact.
🡒 Learn more about our work: https://greeninitiative.eco
This article was written by Tatiana Otaviano from the Green Initiative Team.
