Protecting one of Africa’s last intact forests through high-integrity carbon credits
The North Pikounda IFM-REDD+ Project is a pioneering forest conservation initiative in the Republic of Congo. Located in the Sangha department, this project safeguards 92,530 hectares of FSC® certified tropical forest within the world's second-largest rainforest, an area originally earmarked for timber production. Since securing the concession rights, we have chosen to conserve the forest entirely, maintaining it as a vital carbon sink and a refuge for biodiversity.
2nd
Largest rainforest in the world
~2.7 m
Verified Carbon Units expected
2041
End of the project validity
20,000+
Gorillas protected
Offsetting Emissions & Protecting the Forest
Your company can offset emissions and contribute to protecting the Congo Basin. Located in northern Congo, the project area shelters some of the most ecologically valuable intact forests and plays a vital role in the protection of globally threatened species and forest ecosystems.
A Certified Standard
This project is registered under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and has transitioned from methodology VM0010 to VM0011 to reflect the latest best practices in "logged-to-protected" REDD+ modelling.
It has successfully undergone multiple, rigorous third-party verifications, having already generated over 2 million gross VCUs to date, with an additional ~2.7 million VCUs expected in the future.
A Certified Standard
This project is registered under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and has transitioned from methodology VM0010 to VM0011 to reflect the latest best practices in "logged-to-protected" REDD+ modelling.
It has successfully undergone multiple, rigorous third-party verifications, having already generated over 2 million gross VCUs to date, with an additional ~2.7 million VCUs expected in the future.
A Unique & Impactful Offering
We offer investors and buyers access to high-integrity carbon credits with a clear and lasting climate and ESG impact. We believe that conserving existing forests today is as urgent as restoring degraded ones tomorrow. Our project has been actively protecting this landscape since 2012, with a crediting period that ensures long-term impact assurance until 2041.
Secure & Stable
The project is backed by the Republic of Congo's political stability and clear carbon laws and has operated for over a decade without deforestation. Our team has consistently adapted to Verra's evolving standards, employing advanced remote sensing and field inspections to proactively prevent threats like encroachment, illegal logging, and other forms of degradation, ensuring the forest remains secure.
Credibility You Can Rely On
The North Pikounda project strengthens its integrity with each verification. It uses Verra's VM0011 methodology, is independently audited by firms like DNV and SCS Global, and has held FSC® certification since 2009. The project also minimises deforestation leakage by coordinating with adjacent concessions and broader jurisdictional strategies.
The core principle of carbon permanence is addressed through the project's contribution to the Verra buffer pool, which acts as an insurance policy against unintentional reversals such as fire or encroachment.
People, Planet, & Prosperity
The North Pikounda project delivers impact far beyond verified emissions reductions. It serves as a model for integrated conservation, contributing significantly to biodiversity protection, local community development, and national climate governance. These are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards.
An Intact Forest Landscape
The project ensures the permanent protection of one of the Congo Basin's last intact forests, characterised by 80% canopy cover untouched by roads or settlements. This intact state, never logged and with no settlements or roads, is a rarity in today’s tropical landscapes.
Investing in Local Livelihoods
Approximately one fifth of profits are shared with the state and local communities, with revenue being reinvested into healthcare, education, and sustainable livelihoods. Crucially, traditional ties to the land are safeguarded without displacement, supported by the forest's natural protection from swamps and floodplains.
Integrity You Can Trust
Integrity You Can Trust
High-quality, independently verified REDD+ credits.
Scale & Stability
Scale & Stability
Reliable pipeline of ~2.7M VCUs over the next decade.
Rare Opportunity
Rare Opportunity
Intact forests of this size and integrity are disappearing fast.
Beyond Offsets
Beyond Offsets
Contribute to global climate goals, safeguard biodiversity, support resilient communities.
Direct Access
Direct Access
We sell credits directly to buyers, and provide opportunities for offtake agreements and portfolio integration.
Buy Verified
Carbon Credits
Discover the detailed framework behind our high-integrity carbon credit project. Download our Project Information Note to explore the rigorous methodology, legal safeguards, and key contacts for the opportunity.
FAQs
How is the project's additionality proven?
This project is a clear case of "Avoided Planned Deforestation." The area was an officially approved logging concession with a government-authorised plan for timber harvesting. By voluntarily choosing full conservation instead, we prevented an estimated 4.5 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions that would have otherwise been released. This verifiable "with vs. without" scenario provides robust additionality.
Does the project cause deforestation elsewhere?
The project is located within a cluster of FSC® certified concessions that already operate under strict zero-deforestation standards. The nearest non-certified area is over 100 km away. Independent verifiers (SCS Global, DNV) have confirmed no measurable leakage risk exists, as the entire landscape is managed to prevent deforestation from being displaced.
Are local communities impacted, and do they benefit from the project?
The project area contains no permanent settlements, so no communities are displaced. Furthermore, the project creates significant benefits by channelling approximately one fifth of net revenues to local communities. This funds education, healthcare, and creates local employment, establishing a sustainable revenue model that replaces the need for logging.
How do we know carbon rights are secure?
CIB, a subsidiary of Olam Agri, has been operating FSC®-certified forest concessions in northern Congo for over 55 years, maintaining continuous legal tenure and management under the national forest code. The company holds a long-term concession title officially recognised by the Congolese government. A Deed of Representation formally assigns emission-reduction rights to CIB and was validated by Verra during project registration. The Ministry of Forest Economy has issued written confirmation of the project’s status and its alignment with the national REDD+ strategy. This long-standing presence, combined with legal and institutional backing, ensures clear, exclusive, and enforceable carbon rights.
How is the project monitored?
We employ a robust Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system using satellite imagery, aerial surveillance, and ground patrols. This data is independently audited and verified by third parties like SCS Global and DNV. All reports and verification statements are publicly available on the Verra registry, ensuring radical transparency.
What makes Pikounda different from other projects?
Many projects rely on forecasting hypothetical deforestation. Pikounda is different: it stopped an actual, legally approved logging plan. There are no inflated baselines, no disputed land tenure, and no communities within the project boundary. This "Avoided Planned Deforestation" model, verified under a specific Verra methodology, provides a higher degree of certainty and integrity.
What happens after the crediting period ends?
The forest remains under the permanent conservation mandate of our long-term legal concession, which extends beyond the carbon crediting period. A portion of the carbon revenue is also allocated to a permanent protection endowment to fund future patrols and community programmes, ensuring guardianship continues irrespective of carbon market fluctuations.
Why is this a high-integrity investment?
Pikounda offers a rare combination: a legally protected, intact forest with a verifiable baseline of avoided planned deforestation. It is backed by over a decade of proven conservation, dual verification under Verra and FSC®, and delivers measurable climate action alongside profound community and biodiversity benefits. This makes it a transparent, low-risk, and high-impact carbon asset.
What is the process for purchasing and retiring credits?
- Contact us to discuss your needs.
- We provide a project information pack, including verified documentation, registry details, and a commercial proposal.
- Select and reserve credits.
- We facilitate the transaction and transfer in the Verra registry.
- You receive a formal retirement certificate, confirming that the credits have been permanently retired and cannot be reused.
