Forests are critical ecosystems and incredible carbon sinks. Trees are the most scalable and efficient way to remove carbon today. Forests are so important that every single international climate plan includes dramatic measures to protect and restore forests. Beyond that, forests are also hotbeds of biodiversity, providing a home to the majority of animals and plant species on the planet. They're important to regulating heat and clean water. Forests are a source of livelihood and home to many communities around the world.

A carbon credit is a financing tool to support projects reducing greenhouse gas emissions or recapturing carbon from the atmosphere. A single carbon credit is equal to one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent gases. Carbon credits were formalized by the United Nations Kyoto Protocol. That UN body also developed the key principles and rules guiding verified credits today. In the past, there has been a range of activities that could issue carbon credits. Many experts believe that carbon markets previously were flooded with unverified credits that did not represent real carbon reduction.

Pachama is harnessing satellite data and AI to help companies confidently invest in high-quality carbon credits.

Pachama's reforestation projects will plant trees. But conservation or improved management projects usually are not planting trees. Several of Pachama's projects allow for natural reforestation, where the forest recovers on its own over time from degradation. If you want to support tree planting efforts, look for reforestation projects on Pachama's platform. They also measure carbon, not trees! After planting, often, seedlings will die. But a carbon verification process ensures you are supporting projects where trees are not just planted but grow and thrive.