Ecosystems Restoration and Carbon Offsetting Projects
Learn about the stories behind the projects we support at Green Initiative
Restore Peninsula de Osa Ecosystems
Costa Rica
Tambopata Hotspot Impact Region
Peru
Restore Machu Picchu Cloud Forest
Peru
REED+ Brazil Nut Concessions – Amazon Forest (BAM)
Brazil
2.5 MW Rice husk based cogeneration plant at Hanuman Agro Industries Limited
India
Wind Power Project by Tirupati Microtech Pvt. Ltd.
India
San Clemente Hydroelectric Power Plant
Chile
Wind Power Project by Ushdev International Limited in Tamil Nadu
India
Climate Solution
1
Restore Peninsula de Osa Ecosystems
(Costa Rica)
In the south of Costa Rica is the Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA in Spanish), covering the counties of Osa, Corredores, and Golfito of the Puntarenas province, totaling to about 158,721 ha of protected land and 11,675 ha of sea.
The Osa Peninsula is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. This megadiversity has led the region to receive immense attention from biologists, primatologists, as well as botanical collectors. It has the most significant wetland ecosystem and mangrove forests of Central America, being a home to:
3%
Of Flora Found Nowhere Else in the World
4,000
Species of Vascular Plants
10,000
Species of Insects
700
Species of Trees
463
Bird Species Including de Largest Population of Scarlet Macaws in Central America
4
Kinds of Monkeys
Climate Solution
2
Tambopata Hotspot, Madre De Dios Impact Region
(Peru)
The region of Madre de Dios is located in the southern Amazon of Peru. It has an area of 85.301 km2 and represents 6.6 percent of the national territory. It has three (03) provinces, of which Tambopata province is the largest one and covers 42.5 percent of the territory. The population varies around 141,070 inhabitants (2017 Census), resulting in a density of 1.3 inhabitants / km2.
The Madre de Dios rainforest is formed by a great Amazonian plain or low jungle, it is one of the richest life formations on earth, with a high plant biodiversity of up to 300 tree species/ha (Gentry, 1988). The department of Madre de Dios has been given the title of “Capital of Biodiversity of Peru” through Law No. 26311, in merit of its natural wealth, represented by:
All this biodiversity represents 5% of all biodiversity in the world (Smithsonian Institute; Regional Strategy of Biological Diversity of Madre de Dios)
Climate Solution
3
Restore Machu Picchu Cloud Forest
(Peru)
The Cusco Region, located in the south-eastern part of Peru, has an area of 71,987 km2, which represents 5.6 percent of the national territory. It has thirteen (13) provinces, 112 districts and amongst those 87 native communities. The population is 1 369 932 inhabitants (INEI projection to 2021), with a growth rate of 1.3% and a population density of 18.3 people per km2.
The area of direct impact is the district of Machu Picchu, covering an area of 374,000 km2 (37,400 has), with an altitude of 2,078 meters above sea level, where the National Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu and the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu are located.
This area is within the “Yungas” ecoregion, within a cloud forest, a favorable environment enabling great biodiversity, especially of orchids (372 registered native species), ferns, bromeliads and heliconia.
Increasing natural threats and anthropic activities such as landslides, floods “huaycos”, forest fires, vegetation degrading, such as cutting of trees for firewood, the extraction of shrub and herbaceous plants, result in Machu Picchu’s deforestation and degradation of ecosystems.
These threats can be summarized as:
- 600 Hectares deforested
- 2000 Hectares affected by forest fires
- 60% loss of water springs (aquifers)
600
Hectares Deforested
2,000
Hectares Affected by Forest Fires
60%
Loss of Water Springs (aquifiers)
372
Species of Orchids
12
Species of Bromeliads
94
Species of Ferns
224
Species of Birds
110
Species of Butterflies
Climate Solution
4
REDD+ Brazil nut concessions – Amazon Forest (BAM)
(Brazil)
The REDD + Brazil nut concessions project was born in 2009, bringing together 405 Brazil nut producing families in the Federation of Brazil nut Producers in Madre de Dios (FEPROCAMD) in order to protect 320,000 hectares of Brazil nut forests threatened by the new highway. The first step was to consolidate the associativity of the concessionaires – until then dispersed – and to work hard in the conservation of the chestnut groves through concrete efforts such as the granting of revolving loans and a permanent protection program. In this way, for more than a decade, BAM and 405 families grouped in the FEPROCAMD have protected 320,000 hectares of the most valuable forests on the planet, protected 320 million trees and avoided the emission of 2 million tons of CO2 each year.
In addition to economic benefits for the community from the sale of carbon credits, the project provides technical and legal advice to concession partners to protect their forests, support for the legal sanitation of their concessions, a monitoring system to protect the areas, permanent training, among others. As a result of the good management and impact of the project, in 2021 alone, 75 new concessionaires have joined the project, representing approximately 65,000 additional hectares to be protected by REDD + Brazil nut concessions.
The area that the REDD + Brazil nut concessions project protects is 300,000 hectares, an area larger than Mexico City and similar in size to the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Verification
REDD + Brazil nut concessions project was one of the first REDD + initiatives to be validated and verified worldwide by the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), the most important carbon standard at the international level.
More about our REDD+ Brazil nut concessions project in our:
Climate Solution
5
2.5 MW Rice husk based cogeneration plant at Hanuman Agro Industries Limited
(India)
Hanuman Agro Industries Limited (HAIL) is a public limited company, incorporated in 1994 with the main objectives of carrying out business activities in the field of Paper & Power Generation using conventional or non-conventional fuel.
The purpose of the project activity is to collect and utilize available and unutilized waste biomass resource effectively for effective generation of electricity for in-house consumption. The project activity which is a ‘carbon neutral fuel’ based cogeneration plant, is a 2.50 MW rice husk based cogeneration power plant generating electricity and steam thereby displacing power supplied from the Indian grid.
Besides from the generation of electricity, the project activity is saving the equivalent coal that otherwise would have been used for steam generation and avoids harmful gas emissions that would arise from using the coal.
The project activity is located in a rural belt and contributes positively to the sustainable development of India by further strengthening four pillars of sustainable development:
- Social wellbeing: The Project activity is contributing to a small increase in the local employment by employing skilled and unskilled personnel for operation and maintenance of the equipment. The productive use of an agro waste brings in associated economic and social benefits. The project also helps to bridge the gap of electricity demand and supply at local and national level.
- Economic wellbeing: The increase in demand of rice husk has local effect on its price and generates additional revenue for the rice millers, which in turn benefits the local farmers. The project activity results in saving the coal and HSD and allowing it to be diverted to other sectionS of the economy.
- Environmental wellbeing: The project activity is a renewable energy power project, which collects & utilizes waste biomass generated in the local region as a fuel for power generation and export clean power to the grid.
- Technology wellbeing: The project activity is adopting an advanced and sustainable technology for long-term benefits.
For more information on this project, please click here and for more information on the project developer, please click here.
For more information on the social benefits of the project click here.
Climate Solution
6
Wind Power Project by Tirupati Microtech Pvt. Ltd.
(India)
The project activity is promoted by Tirupati Microtech Private Limited and it uses renewable energy (wind) as a clean fuel to generate electrical energy. The total installed capacity of the project is 3.95 MW.
- Social wellbeing: The project has contributed towards poverty alleviation as it has employed local manpower during the erection and operation of the wind power plant. The project has also resulted in an improvement in the infrastructure surrounding the region.
- Economic wellbeing: The project is installed in a small village so also after commissioning it has developed the electricity through renewable energy, thus attracted other investors to develop such kind of projects. Due to the electricity generation it attracted industries, factories & other economic activities to invest in that region which will generate ample opportunities for the local villagers.
- Environmental wellbeing: The project leads to the following environmental benefits: As the wind power replaces equivalent power generation from fossil fuel dominated national grid, there was a reduction in the GHG emissions, it therefore significantly contributes towards reducing the dependence on import of fossil fuels for power generation. The project also eliminates emissions of other air pollutants viz. SOx, NOx, particulate matters etc which would otherwise be emitted by thermal power plants.
- Technological wellbeing: The project has led to the promotion of Wind Turbine Generators (WTG)of various capacities being an example for other WTG investors.
For more information on this project, please click here and for more information on its social benefits, please click here.
Climate Solution
7
San Clemente Hydroelectric Power Plant
(Chile)
San Clemente is a run of the river hydroelectric power plant of 5.5 MW of installed capacity, located in Maule Region, Chile. It supplies the electricity demand of over 4,000 people. The project developer, Colbún S.A., works closely with the neighboring communities to create shared value, promoting education and transferring technology.
San Clemente takes energetic advantage of irrigating waters, and supplies the electricity demand of over 4,000 people.
- Environmental wellbeing: San Clemente began its commercial operation at the end of year 2010, under the framework of the Renewable Energy Law (20,257). In September 2011 it achieved the Clean Development Mechanism registration (CDM Project 4800), which allows it to certify emission reductions for about 17 thousand tons of CO2e per year. Like all others Colbun’s power plants, San Clemente is also certified under ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007.
- Social wellbeing: Our Community Relationship Policy sets up the framework to work closely with our neighboring communities, with the purpose of creating shared value. Within this framework, several activities are developed, such as the following:
- Promoting joint work, through the subscription of an agreement with South Maule Canal Irrigators’ Association, which creates and establishes tools for promoting water savings and irrigation efficiencies. We are also promoting training programs and technology transferences focused on small irrigators.
- Frequent visits and tours to our facilities, keeping the community informed, creating spaces to clarify doubts and installing the importance of electric power in our daily life. We receive visits from schools, authorities, local organizations, among others. We also have permanent meetings with authorities and neighbors to inform the performance of the different social initiatives developed in conjunction with the city council and the community.
- Strengthening education of young students in our neighboring communities. Some examples are the Complementary Training Program (FORCOM), which provides competences and abilities to public school students, “Cuido Mi Planeta” (“Taking Care of my Planet”) program, created to promote environmental conscience through practical and entertaining activities for the community, and supporting environmental certification of neighboring schools (among others training activities).
For more information about the project please click here and for more information on the project developer, please click here.
For more information on the social benefits click here.
Climate Solution
8
Wind Power Project by Ushdev International Limited in Tamil Nadu
(India)
This is a greenfield project activity and no power generation equipment or technology was present at the site prior to this. The Indian power sector is dominated by fossil fuel based power plants. The electricity in the region is being generated by such power plants which are connected to the Southern Grid. Hence, the Southern Grid is considered as baseline scenario for this project activity. Project activity’s contribution to sustainable development indicator stipulated by National CDM Authority (NCDMA) [Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India (GoI)], are as below.
- Social wellbeing: Due to installation of WTGs by PP in rural area various new employment opportunities are available for locals. These direct and indirect employment opportunities results in improved household income and quality of life of people.
- Economic wellbeing: Development of wind farms, which is collective wind projects by entities like PP, also results in development of infrastructure in the region such as Road, Electricity and Communication. This leads to creating of new economic opportunities in the region. Further, the project activity leads to addition of PROJECT DESIGN DOCUMENT FORM (CDM-SSC-PDD) – Version 03 CDM – Executive Board 4 power generation capacity in India, which is currently facing the huge demand supply gap, hence improving availability power and thereby better economic development in the region. Environment wellbeing: As mentioned above, this project activity replaces the generation of power at Grid connected power plants and hence consumption of fossil fuels. Further, there are no emissions associated with generation of power from the wind. Hence, the project activity helps in reduction in emission of GHG, improvement of air quality and conservation of natural resources such as coal, oil etc.
- Technological wellbeing: The project activity involves the successful installation and operation of MW size WTGs. The implementation of these new technologies will help in improving confidence of investor in this technology. This will result in increasing investment in similar technology.
We Answer Your Questions
General Questions
Why choose Green Initiative?
At Green Initiative we help our clients mobilize resources for climate financing, in addition to complying with climate regulations for international trade, improving the efficiency of their operations, reducing costs and adding value to their products and services, connecting them with the París Climate Agreement, and with the United Nations Sustainable Goals.
At the Green Initiative we have the necessary know-how to enable our clients to lead this transformation through actions that generate positive impacts for their organizations, as well as for the planet.
- we support your business full cycle of climate action, going beyond.
- science-based methodologies and tools.
- experience in various industries and countries.
- we are accredited as a support resource for United Nations Climate Change, GCOM, CDP, OnePlanet, Global Footprint Network, and UN Decade for Ecosystems Restoration.
- we provide a cost effective value proposition.
What is a Climate Certification?
A Climate Certification is a formal endorsement of your organization’s work in progress and commitment to shift towards a low carbon emissions economy achieving net zero emissions by 2050 or before.
Green Initiative Climate Certifications offer direct benefits to increase your business competitiveness and sustainability performance, among which the following stand out:
- climate leadership
- climate action at the core of the business
- mobilize climate financing (loans and grants)
- compliance with international climate trade standards
- support innovation through climate-friendly products and services.
- aligns your business to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
What is the difference between Carbon Neutral and Climate Positive certifications?
Green Initiative Carbon Neutral Certification A carbon neutral certification demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to decarbonisation, and the neutralisation of remaining impact through the support of environmental projects.
- Carbon Neutral Certified demonstrates that your business is committed to decarbonisation through clear science based mitigation targets, and has conducted the off-setting of remaining impact purchasing carbon credits that reduce and capture greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere (such as renewable energy, energy efficiency and forest conservation projects).
- Climate Positive Certified means that your business climate action has gone beyond neutrality, actually creating environmental and climate benefits by removing additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through actions to protect, sustainably manage, and/or restore ecosystems.
Can I Offset my Business Emissions by Planting Trees?
At Green Initiative, we provide funding for two complementary types of climate change mitigation solutions: one is planting native trees for ecosystems restoration, and the other is supporting natural and technology driven solutions through carbon credits.
Recently planted trees need to be nurtured and protected for years to provide environmental services such as carbon sinking. Planting a tree is a matter of having empathy with life on earth. Today, more than ever, we need to connect with global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss, and planting trees, under the scope of ecosystem restoration, provides a fundamental tool for reverting the natural climate crisis we are facing.
To conduct the carbon off-setting of your business the most consist approach to do so is through carbon credits.
What is a Carbon Credit?
Certificate for Emission Reduction, Certified Carbon Offset, or simply Carbon Credit is a certificate generated by an accountable body that represents reducing or removing one ton of CO2 from the atmosphere.
These certificates aim to monetize the climate benefits embedded in specific projects and provide them with an additional revenue stream.
A Carbon Credit enables you to offset your business’s unavoidable carbon emissions by funding projects worldwide that avoid, reduce or capture greenhouse gases. A Carbon Credit is a part of an international mechanism endorsed by the United Nations that allows your business to claim carbon neutrality.
How can your Business Prove Results?
There are different levels for climate change mitigation results. Within your business, you should prove impact by monitoring your Key Climate Performance Indicators. You should be able to do so simply by conducting your carbon footprint assessment annually using Green Initiative Carbon Management Tool.
From a carbon footprint offsetting perspective, your business will prove to have compensated its carbon emissions through the provision of a Carbon Compensation Certificate. This certificate provides complete detailed information of the source (VERRA, Gold Standard, or CDM), type of credits (carbon reduction, avoidance, siking, or removal), and the specific market ID number of the credits used by your business to claim carbon neutrality.
Monitoring tree planting for ecosystems restoration is done by combining on the ground supervision with high-precision satellite images. Green Initiative provides one of the complete monitoring services available, effectively comparing the baseline situation with restoration performance.
We only work with tree-planting partners who plant trees responsibly. In addition, our partners are regularly audited by third parties, and publish internal reports for us with updates and data from our planting sites. Check out this performance monitoring report for our Costa Rica tree planting project.
Climate Positive Certified
What is Climate Positive Certification?
Climate Positive Certification is a program offered by Green Initiative that certifies businesses and organizations as being climate positive, meaning they have taken steps to reduce their carbon footprint and are actively working to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than they produce.
What are the benefits of a Climate Positive Certification?
Green Initiative Climate Positive Certification can help businesses and organizations innovate in climate-smart products and services, improve efficiency, demonstrate their commitment to climate-action, and attract environmentally conscious customers and partners.
What types of businesses or organizations are eligible for a Climate Positive Certification?
Any business or organization that is committed to consistent science-based climate-action can apply for Green Initiative Climate Positive Certification. This includes small businesses, corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies.
What is the cost of a Climate Positive Certification?
The cost of Green Initiative Climate Positive Certification varies depending on the size and complexity of the business or organization, as well as the scope of the certification. Green Initiative offers a range of certification options to fit different needs and budgets.
Carbon Neutral Certified
What is a Carbon Neutral Certification?
Climate Neutral Certification is a certification offered by Green Initiative that recognizes organizations and businesses that have complied with our full climate certification cycle. This means that they have measure, set targets, mitigate and are on track to net-zero emissions.
Why should I get Carbon Neutral Certified?
Carbon Neutral Certification demonstrates your commitment to climate leadership and your consistent efforts to reduce your organization’s impact on the environment. It also provides a clear and credible way for you to communicate your climate-action commitment to customers, stakeholders, and the public.
What types of organizations can get certified?
Any organization or business that wants to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint can get Carbon Neutral Certified by Green Initiative. This includes small and large businesses, nonprofits, government organizations, and more. Companies who are certified as ESG (Environmental and Social Governance), can definitely benefit from Green Initiative climate certifications.
What is a carbon offset?
A carbon offset is a way to compensate for greenhouse gas emissions by funding a project that reduces or removes emissions somewhere else. Carbon offsets are typically sold in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) and can come from a variety of projects, such as renewable energy, forestry, and methane capture. Learn more about Green Initiative Climate Projects here: https://greeninitiative.eco/projects/
What types of emissions can be offset?
All types of greenhouse gas emissions can be offset, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). However, it’s important to note that the best approach is always to reduce emissions as much as possible before relying on offsets to mitigate any remaining emissions. Through Green Initiative advisory services, we help our clients to start their journey to climate-action.
Carbon Measured Certified
What is a Carbon Measured Certification?
Carbon Measured Certification is a certification offered by Green Initiative that recognizes organizations and businesses that have measured their greenhouse gas emissions and have a plan in place to reduce their carbon footprint.
Why should I get Carbon Measured Certified?
Carbon Measured Certification demonstrates your commitment to climate-action and your efforts to understand and reduce your organization’s impact on the environment. It also provides a clear and credible way for you to communicate your climate commitment to customers, stakeholders, and the public.
What types of organizations can get certified with Green Initiative?
Any organization or business that wants to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint can get Carbon Measured Certified with Green Initiative. This includes small and large businesses, nonprofits, government organizations, and more.
What other services does the Green Initiative offer?
Green Initiative offers advisory and climate certification services, including Climate Positive and Carbon Neutral Certification, which certifies organizations that are committed to climate-leadership applying international best practices, which are endorsed by the United Nations. Green Initiative also has Nature Positive and Carbon Offsetting Solutions to help organizations reduce their environmental impact and achieve their sustainability goals.
Nature Positive Action
What is Nature Positive Action?
Nature Positive Action refers to actions taken by organizations, businesses, and individuals to restore, protect, and enhance nature in order to achieve a net positive impact on the environment. Green Initiative offers Nature Positive Action services to help businesses and organizations achieve their sustainability goals through biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration projects.
Why is Nature Positive Action important?
Nature Positive Action is important because it helps to address the urgent global challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. By restoring and enhancing nature, we can help to mitigate the impacts of climate change, protect biodiversity, and support the long-term health and well-being of ecosystems and communities. Green Initiative’s Nature Positive Action services help organizations and businesses contribute to these efforts.
What are some examples of Nature Positive Action?
Examples of Nature Positive Action include:
- Planting trees and other vegetation to sequester carbon, restore degraded land, and provide habitat for wildlife. Green Initiative’s Reforestation and Habitat Restoration services support these types of projects.
- Supporting conservation efforts and protected areas to preserve biodiversity. Green Initiative’s Biodiversity Conservation services help businesses and organizations support these types of projects.
- Creating green spaces in urban areas to improve air and water quality and enhance community well-being. Green Initiative’s Urban Greening services support these types of projects.
What are the benefits of Nature Positive Action?
The benefits of Nature Positive Action include:
- Helping to mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Supporting biodiversity and ecosystem health
Improving air and water quality - Enhancing community well-being and quality of life
- Providing economic benefits through sustainable resource use and ecotourism
Green Initiative’s services help businesses to achieve these benefits by developing and implementing strategies to achieve environmental sustainability and Nature Positive Action.
Carbon Offsetting
What is Carbon Offsetting?
Carbon offsetting is the practice of balancing out carbon emissions by funding projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. Carbon offsetting can be used to compensate for emissions that cannot be avoided, such as air travel or shipping. Green Initiative offers carbon offsetting services to help businesses and individuals reduce their carbon footprint and achieve environmental sustainability.
What types of Carbon Offsetting projects does the Green Initiative support?
Green Initiative supports a range of high-quality carbon offset projects, including:
- Renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar power
- Energy efficiency upgrades, such as building retrofits and efficient appliances
- Forest conservation and reforestation projects
- Methane capture from landfills and livestock operations
All of Green Initiative’s carbon offset projects are verified to international standards, such as the United Nations.
