More than just carbon

More than just carbon

BACKGROUND

At Ponterra, we generate financial, social, and environmental returns by restoring degraded land in partnership with smallholder farmers

We target land that was formerly forested but has been cleared and degraded over decades of agricultural practices. With aging landowners, unfavorable market conditions, and decreased productivity, many farmers can no longer earn an income off their land.

That’s where Ponterra comes in.

We plant native tree species on this degraded land, generating revenue for farmers in the form of carbon credits while enhancing biodiversity and restoring ecosystems. By partnering with smallholder farmers in the form of a lease agreement, Ponterra provides a unique opportunity for landowners to retain ownership of their land while earning a competitive, sustainable, and long-term source of income that contributes to climate resilience.

THE PONTERRA WAY

What to expect from a Ponterra project

THE PONTERRA WAY

What to expect from a Ponterra project

Planting mixed native species

Our restoration projects reverse climate change by planting trees in deforested areas. We only plant native and native-adaptive species, which promote biodiversity, are more resistant to drought and pests, and better contribute to overall climate resilience.

Restoring degraded lands

Over 20% of the world’s land is degraded, leaving farmers without a way to make a living. Our projects offer a financially and environmentally sustainable alternative to unproductive agriculture and cattle ranching.

Focusing on more than just carbon

By planting native species and partnering with smallholder farmers, our projects are as much about carbon as they are about biodiversity and community impact.

Partnering with communities

The land we restore is leased from smallholder farmers, resulting in a long-term partnership with the landholders and the broader community.

Delivering credits of the utmost integrity

We align with the ICVCM Core Carbon Principles by only using the most robust certification standards and methodologies. We are also a pilot for Verra’s SD Vista Nature Credits methodology for biodiversity credits.

Leveraging technology

We utilize bespoke technology and processes to design, track, and report on project activities. This rigorous codification of our process enables us to continually improve and become more efficient while offering full transparency to our partners and setting ourselves up to scale.

Operating with excellence

We don’t just meet industry standards, we exceed them. From seed collection to credit issuance, Ponterra owns and operates the full value chain and demands operational excellence across every step of the way.

OUR PROCESS

Project Development

Our goal is to develop and operate the highest quality nature restoration projects around the globe.

PHASE 1

Project Identification

When evaluating a potential carbon project, we look for degraded agricultural land that can be leased from smallholder farmers and restored to its native forest. We evaluate the potential for carbon sequestration, country risk, local capacity and infrastructure, community interest, expansion potential, expected impact, and more.

PHASE 2

Project Design

Once we have selected a project site, we partner with local organizations to learn the needs and wants of the community and co-design the project together. Ponterra only moves forward with projects that can provide for the community and have their support while simultaneously offering a competitive return to investors.

PHASE 3

Restoration activities

With a commercial and scalable project in hand, we enter into land leases and partner with investors and carbon credit off takers to finance restoration activities. Our fully vertically integrated model means we are responsible for everything from landowner engagement to seed collection, sapling production, planting, and monitoring. Our workforce is entirely local, and we employ up to 300 community members per 10,000 ha restored.

PHASE 4

Credit issuance and monitoring

Once the project starts issuing credits, we continue to monitor and collaborate with landowners for 100+ years to ensure permanence for the communities as well as the buyers of the carbon credits. Ponterra projects generate the highest quality carbon credits, rich in co-benefits and held to the most rigorous third party standards. We provide full transparency and accountability to landowners, investors, and community members throughout the project life via our cloud-based project tracking software.

PHASE 5

Scale

We set up a rinse and repeat model where our operations can be scaled within the region. With the infrastructure and logistics already in place, we partner with investors, corporates, and the communities to do it all over again until there is no land left to restore.

Get involved

Get involved

We work with landowners, funders, corporates, researchers, community organizations, and more – get in touch to learn more about our projects or what’s next at Ponterra.

More than just carbon