Latest news with #ImprovedForestManagement
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
United States: TotalEnergies Expands Its Investments in Sustainable Forestry Operations to Preserve Carbon Sinks
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TotalEnergies (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE) signed an agreement with NativState, an Arkansas-based forest carbon project developer, to conserve forests from land conversion and heavy timber harvesting. The transaction includes 13 Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects located in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, U.S.A, covering 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) owned by more than 280 private family forest landowners. The carbon program managed by NativState offers landowners a sustainable income alternative to this region's common practice of heavy timber harvesting while restoring forest health and improving carbon stocks. This investment will support sustainable forest practices, such as identifying and preserving high conservation value forests, implementing best management practices for streamside management zones, improving forest species diversity, and conserving wildlife corridors. It will also generate social benefits to small landowners such as forestry management education and technical support, as well as financial benefits by giving them access to voluntary carbon markets. All carbon credits generated by the project will be certified by the ACR, an internationally recognized carbon crediting program, and will be acquired by TotalEnergies. After prioritizing emission avoidance and reduction, the Company will use these credits from 2030 onwards to voluntarily offset part of its remaining direct Scope 1 & 2 emissions. 'TotalEnergies confirms its commitment to support the conservation and enhancement of carbon sinks, with local value creation', said Adrien Henry, Vice President Nature Based Solutions at TotalEnergies. 'We are thrilled to support NativState to scale up their operations, directly benefiting the environment and their local communities.' 'We, at NativState, are honored and deeply grateful for our partnership with TotalEnergies and our forest landowner families, which creates extraordinary opportunities to build a lasting legacy for small forest landowners in our communities across the southern United States while supporting TotalEnergies in addressing the challenges of global energy markets,' said Stuart Allen, NativState Founder and CEO. 'It is a privilege to empower these landowners to embrace sustainable forestry practices, cultivating healthier lands and stronger communities for generations to come.' *** About TotalEnergies Nature Based Solutions As part of its climate ambition, and in addition to its existing actions to avoid and reduce emissions, TotalEnergies works with many local partners around the world to develop and conserve natural carbon sinks, while helping to preserve or improve their biodiversity. These operations follow a long-term approach of sustainable and integrated economic development of areas with local communities. TotalEnergies plans to invest $100 million per year to build a portfolio of projects capable of generating at least 5 million metric tons of CO2e of carbon credits per year by 2030. These carbon credits will be used after 2030 to offset the Company's scope 1 & 2 emissions. Learn more with our TotalEnergies' Sustainability and Climate 2025 – Progress Report About TotalEnergies TotalEnergies is a global integrated energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas, biogas and low-carbon hydrogen, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to providing as many people as possible with energy that is more reliable, more affordable and more sustainable. Active in about 120 countries, TotalEnergies places sustainability at the heart of its strategy, its projects and its operations. About NativState NativState LLC ( is a forest carbon development company partnering with small forest landowners across the southern United States to deliver access to global carbon markets. We work with landowners to improve and conserve their forests while realizing a financial return based on the creation of high-quality carbon credits sold to companies seeking to meet and exceed their carbon emission reduction goals. Using ACR's Improved Forest Management (IFM) methodology and our forty-year carbon agreement, we work with landowners to provide a new source of income from their forests versus historical, intensive timber harvesting. Through this process NativState empowers forest owners with the ability to manage their properties sustainably and provide the co-benefits of improved water quality, improved biodiversity, and improved overall health of the forest. @TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies Cautionary Note The terms 'TotalEnergies', 'TotalEnergies company' or 'Company' in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words 'we', 'us' and 'our' may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies' financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Universal Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Anew Climate and Aurora Sustainable Lands Collaborate with Microsoft to Deliver Landmark 10-Year Agreement for Carbon Removal Credits
Agreement to deliver 4.8 million nature-based carbon removal credits through next-generation IFM projects while protecting over 425,000 acres of forestland HOUSTON, June 25, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anew Climate and Aurora Sustainable Lands today announced a 10-year agreement with Microsoft to deliver 4.8 million nature-based carbon removal credits. The deal supports one of the largest permanent working forest carbon removal efforts in the United States, and will provide investments and jobs across timberland communities. The projects, developed by Anew Climate and owned and managed by Aurora Sustainable Lands, span ecologically diverse forestlands in New York, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Florida and utilize Improved Forest Management (IFM) to generate nature-based removal credits. Removals from these projects will be among the first issued under ACR's IFM v2.1 protocol, a next-generation methodology that advances the field via dynamic baselines, enhanced additionality and monitoring requirements, improved quantification accuracy, and increased transparency. At the heart of this initiative is Anew's Epoch Evaluation Platform, a proprietary system that leverages machine learning, high-resolution satellite imagery, drone data, and ground-based field measurements to enable ongoing, location-specific tracking and validation of forest carbon baselines, surpassing the requirements of the IFM v2.1 methodology. In partnership with Aurora, Anew designed a custom project that exceeds registry mandates and meets Microsoft's high standards for durability and integrity, featuring extended monitoring, tech-enabled quantification, perpetual working forest easements and covenants. Collectively, this marks the largest permanent working forest protection project in the eastern U.S. in two decades. "This agreement sets a new standard for nature-based carbon removals, pairing technical rigor with environmental stewardship at scale," said Angela Schwarz, Chief Executive Officer of Anew Climate. "Microsoft's collaboration enables innovation that benefits the broader market and accelerates our collective path to net zero." At a time when high-quality nature- and technology-based carbon removals remain in limited supply, this agreement stands out for its immediate impact, as material volumes of removal credits will begin being delivered in 2025. "Aurora Sustainable Lands is distinctive because we are the landowner and operator, managing everything from root to credit. This comprehensive approach ensures the highest integrity and quality of our carbon credits," said Jamie Houston, CEO of Aurora Sustainable Lands. "Microsoft, Anew, and Aurora all share a deep commitment to climate-smart, sustainable practices, ensuring a healthier planet for future generations." "We believe transparent and high-integrity nature-based carbon removal is important to meeting Microsoft's Carbon Negative 2030 goal," said Brian Marrs, Senior Director, Energy & Carbon Removal at Microsoft. "This agreement with Anew and Aurora reflects our commitment to advancing the integrity and impact of improved forest management." About Anew Climate Anew Climate, LLC, is a global leader of diverse climate solutions built on the principles of transparency and accountability. With deep market understanding, Anew leverages technological and nature-based solutions to create value through the generation and marketing of environmental credits for low carbon fuel, carbon, renewable energy, and emissions markets. Anew is majority owned by TPG Rise, TPG's global impact investing platform. The company has offices in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Hungary, and Spain with an environmental commodities portfolio that extends across five continents. About Aurora Sustainable Lands Aurora Sustainable Lands is one of the world's leading carbon removal platforms and climate-focused asset managers. To date, Aurora has acquired over 1.7 million acres of U.S. forestland with a history of industrial logging and now manages these lands with a carbon stewardship management strategy that focuses on maximizing natural carbon removal and storage potential. By actively managing with this strategy and utilizing cutting-edge proprietary technologies, Aurora taps into the oldest and most effective carbon removal tool, trees, to offer nature-based carbon credits with unrivaled reliability, durability, and quality and at an unprecedented scale. Aurora is a joint venture between Anew Climate and a group of equity investors led by Oak Hill Advisors, AB CarVal, EIG and GenZero among other leading financial sponsors. View source version on Contacts Anew Climate:Daniel HoldridgePR@ Aurora Sustainable Lands:Amy L. Dicksonpr@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
25-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Anew Climate and Aurora Sustainable Lands Collaborate with Microsoft to Deliver Landmark 10-Year Agreement for Carbon Removal Credits
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anew Climate and Aurora Sustainable Lands today announced a 10-year agreement with Microsoft to deliver 4.8 million nature-based carbon removal credits. 'This agreement sets a new standard for nature-based carbon removals, pairing technical rigor with environmental stewardship at scale,' said Angela Schwarz, Chief Executive Officer of Anew Climate. The deal supports one of the largest permanent working forest carbon removal efforts in the United States, and will provide investments and jobs across timberland communities. The projects, developed by Anew Climate and owned and managed by Aurora Sustainable Lands, span ecologically diverse forestlands in New York, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Florida and utilize Improved Forest Management (IFM) to generate nature-based removal credits. Removals from these projects will be among the first issued under ACR's IFM v2.1 protocol, a next-generation methodology that advances the field via dynamic baselines, enhanced additionality and monitoring requirements, improved quantification accuracy, and increased transparency. At the heart of this initiative is Anew's Epoch Evaluation Platform, a proprietary system that leverages machine learning, high-resolution satellite imagery, drone data, and ground-based field measurements to enable ongoing, location-specific tracking and validation of forest carbon baselines, surpassing the requirements of the IFM v2.1 methodology. In partnership with Aurora, Anew designed a custom project that exceeds registry mandates and meets Microsoft's high standards for durability and integrity, featuring extended monitoring, tech-enabled quantification, perpetual working forest easements and covenants. Collectively, this marks the largest permanent working forest protection project in the eastern U.S. in two decades. 'This agreement sets a new standard for nature-based carbon removals, pairing technical rigor with environmental stewardship at scale,' said Angela Schwarz, Chief Executive Officer of Anew Climate. 'Microsoft's collaboration enables innovation that benefits the broader market and accelerates our collective path to net zero.' At a time when high-quality nature- and technology-based carbon removals remain in limited supply, this agreement stands out for its immediate impact, as material volumes of removal credits will begin being delivered in 2025. 'Aurora Sustainable Lands is distinctive because we are the landowner and operator, managing everything from root to credit. This comprehensive approach ensures the highest integrity and quality of our carbon credits,' said Jamie Houston, CEO of Aurora Sustainable Lands. 'Microsoft, Anew, and Aurora all share a deep commitment to climate-smart, sustainable practices, ensuring a healthier planet for future generations.' 'We believe transparent and high-integrity nature-based carbon removal is important to meeting Microsoft's Carbon Negative 2030 goal,' said Brian Marrs, Senior Director, Energy & Carbon Removal at Microsoft. 'This agreement with Anew and Aurora reflects our commitment to advancing the integrity and impact of improved forest management.' About Anew Climate Anew Climate, LLC, is a global leader of diverse climate solutions built on the principles of transparency and accountability. With deep market understanding, Anew leverages technological and nature-based solutions to create value through the generation and marketing of environmental credits for low carbon fuel, carbon, renewable energy, and emissions markets. Anew is majority owned by TPG Rise, TPG's global impact investing platform. The company has offices in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Hungary, and Spain with an environmental commodities portfolio that extends across five continents. About Aurora Sustainable Lands Aurora Sustainable Lands is one of the world's leading carbon removal platforms and climate-focused asset managers. To date, Aurora has acquired over 1.7 million acres of U.S. forestland with a history of industrial logging and now manages these lands with a carbon stewardship management strategy that focuses on maximizing natural carbon removal and storage potential. By actively managing with this strategy and utilizing cutting-edge proprietary technologies, Aurora taps into the oldest and most effective carbon removal tool, trees, to offer nature-based carbon credits with unrivaled reliability, durability, and quality and at an unprecedented scale. Aurora is a joint venture between Anew Climate and a group of equity investors led by Oak Hill Advisors, AB CarVal, EIG and GenZero among other leading financial sponsors.
Business Wire
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
EFM Signs Deal With Microsoft for Purchase of Nature-Based Carbon Removals and Fund Investment
PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EFM, a forest investment and management firm has finalized a multi-year offtake agreement with Microsoft alongside a fund investment that together secure Microsoft's access to up to 3 million nature-based carbon removal credits from EFM's investment platform. The deal includes an offtake agreement for the delivery of up to 700,000 credits through 2035, from a recently acquired property in Washington State's Olympic Peninsula that EFM is transitioning to climate-smart forest management. Additionally, Microsoft's Climate Innovation Fund (CIF) invested in EFM Fund IV, which aims to mobilize $300 million for climate-smart forestry across the U.S. This is CIF's first forestry investment in the United States and helps Microsoft secure future streams of up to 2.3 million additional high-quality credits with significant ecosystem and community benefits. 'Microsoft's support marks a pivotal step in accelerating support for high-quality improved forest management projects,' said Bettina von Hagen, CEO of EFM. 'Their leadership sets a strong precedent for the carbon market and reinforces the importance of natural forests as a scalable natural climate solution in the U.S. With their support, we see Fund IV growing and producing significant climate benefits alongside financial value for its investors.' 'Microsoft recognizes the important role of high-quality, nature-based solutions in meeting our Carbon Negative by 2030 goals. Our collaboration with EFM is a significant step towards unlocking the value of the latest scientific advancements in improved forest management as a carbon removal pathway. We are proud to contribute to climate-smart forest management in Microsoft's own backyard on the Olympic Peninsula,' said Brian Marrs, Senior Director of Energy & Carbon Removal at Microsoft. Scaling Impact Through EFM Fund IV EFM Fund IV's first investment, 68,000 acres in Washington State's Olympic Peninsula, exemplifies the company's FSC-certified, climate-smart strategy. The property had been industrially managed for close to a century by the prior owner. EFM's approach diversifies the revenue streams from forests to include carbon credits and conservation easements alongside revenue from conventional forest products. EFM Fund IV will initially focus on securing forest properties in the Western U.S., while also exploring other domestic markets where climate-smart management can create a competitive advantage for investors, alongside benefits for local communities. By enhancing the ability of the country's working forests to function as robust carbon sinks, the fund will support the long-term forest health and economic sustainability of these natural assets and the communities that rely on them. Raising the Bar for Improved Forest Management (IFM) Microsoft's long-term offtake agreement and investment in Fund IV will help raise the bar for Improved Forest Management (IFM) carbon projects, signaling their potential as scalable and effective climate solutions. IFM is a carbon market methodology that encompasses a suite of sustainable forestry practices aimed at increasing or maintaining forest carbon stocks and improving forest health. These practices include extending the rotation age of trees, reducing the impact of logging operations, and promoting selective harvesting. Microsoft will provide more information on its MSCDR website about its approach to IFM. By implementing these strategies, IFM projects can not only increase the carbon storage of commercial forests, but also improve biodiversity, enhance water and soil quality, and provide socio-economic benefits to local communities. Recent innovations, such as the adoption of dynamic baselines, have strengthened the integrity of IFM projects. EFM is committed to employing the best-in-class methodologies, ensuring that project baselines accurately reflect current policy and market conditions. With Microsoft's support, EFM is also adopting additional measures to further strengthen the integrity of its IFM credits. It does this by implementing a conservative approach that deliberately limits the amount of harvesting that is predicted in the baseline, or business-as-usual, scenario. About EFM EFM is an investment and management firm that acquires forests and implements climate-smart strategies in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. EFM creates value by combining timber production with revenues from carbon sequestration, conservation, recreation and biodiversity. EFM's investment management business focuses on FSC-certified forests in the US, and its advisory business focuses on cutting-edge natural climate solutions opportunities globally. The firm has two decades of experience and manages more than 200,000 forestland acres and is expanding to markets where increased funding for climate benefits and ecosystem services can create a competitive advantage and deliver value to investors, local communities and the public.
Business Wire
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
EFM to Launch New Fund with Sojitz to Advance Climate-Smart Forestry and Carbon Solutions in the United States
PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EFM, a forest investment and management firm, today announced a new joint venture with Sojitz Corporation (Sojitz), through its 100% subsidiary Sojitz Corporation of America, which will establish a forestry investment fund to generate high-integrity carbon credits and promote climate-smart forest stewardship across the United States. The new entity, EFM Sojitz Management, LLC (ESM), will manage the fund and aims to raise approximately USD 200 million, with initial participation expected from Sojitz, Fuyo General Lease Co., Ltd. and other global investors. Building on EFM's proven expertise in managing more than 200,000 acres of forestland and delivering measurable climate, community, and biodiversity outcomes, this collaboration represents a significant step forward in scaling nature-based solutions to address climate change. The fund will focus on acquiring and managing forestland in climate resilient forested regions of the United States, generating returns for investors through sustainable timber production and the development of forest-based carbon credits. 'EFM's mission is to create financial value from investments in forests alongside positive environmental and social impact,' said Bettina von Hagen, CEO of EFM. 'Partnering with Sojitz allows us to expand our climate-smart forestry model, mobilize capital at scale – including in key growth markets like Japan – and provide investors with access to high-quality carbon credits that also support biodiversity, water resources, and rural jobs.' EFM's climate-smart approach diversifies the revenue streams from forests to include carbon credits and conservation easements alongside revenue from traditional forest products. This model supports forest management practices that restore timber stocks, increase the production of high-value wood products, generate enduring climate, community, and ecological benefits—such as salmon habitat restoration, recreational access, non-timber forest products, tribal cultural use, and improved carbon sequestration. EFM has been at the forefront of innovative forest carbon market approaches, including implementation of the latest improvements for Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects that deliver high integrity carbon credits recognized for their co-benefits. The new fund will enable investors to benefit from EFM's climate-smart approach, as well as receive carbon credits generated from sustainably managed forestlands. Sojitz considers decarbonization one of the most important management issues, establishing its Energy Transformation Division in 2024 to accelerate the development of renewable energy and offset solutions. The joint venture with EFM reflects Sojitz's commitment to advancing global climate goals through collaborative, nature-based approaches. 'We are excited to work with EFM, whose deep industry knowledge and impact-driven approach align closely with our vision for a sustainable, low-carbon future,' said Koji Aonuma, General Manager of Energy Transformation Department at Sojitz. 'By combining EFM's extensive knowledge and experience with Sojitz's domestic and international business networks, built through its existing businesses, we aim to form a large-scale fund and create value in collaboration with a diverse range of investors, primarily Japanese companies.' EFM will engage a diverse group of investors, particularly from Japan and other international markets, in collaboration with Sojitz. Through this effort, the partners aim to unlock new capital flows into climate-smart forestry, drive innovation in natural climate solutions, and contribute meaningfully to global sustainability objectives. About EFM EFM is an investment and management firm that acquires forests and implements climate-smart strategies in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. EFM creates value by combining timber production with revenues from carbon sequestration, conservation, recreation and biodiversity. EFM's investment management business focuses on FSC-certified forests in the US, and its advisory business focuses on cutting-edge natural climate solutions opportunities globally. The firm has two decades of experience and manages more than 200,000 forestland acres and is expanding to markets where increased funding for climate benefits and ecosystem services can create a competitive advantage and deliver value to investors, local communities and the public. Legal Disclosure This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Any offers of the securities will be made only by means of a private offering memorandum. The securities to be issued by the fund managed by EFM Sojitz Management, LLC described above have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.
