Verra launches West Africa’s first ICVCM-approved carbon credit project

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🗞️ Driving the news: Verra has officially registered Tond Tenga, the first carbon credit project in West Africa to meet the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market’s (ICVCM) Core Carbon Principles (CCPs)
• Located in Burkina Faso and developed under Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program, the project uses the newly ICVCM-approved VM0047 methodology focused on restoring over 12,000 hectares of degraded land through native tree planting and agroforestry

🔭 The context: Approved in December 2024, the VM0047 method is the first Verra-developed approach to receive the ICVCM’s CCP seal, representing a new benchmark for high-quality carbon credits
• Although some Verra projects have previously received CCP labels, Tond Tenga is the first to be registered using an in-house methodology that aligns directly with ICVCM’s integrity standards, marking a critical evolution in carbon market governance

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The project is expected to remove up to 3.7 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent over 40 years while restoring biodiversity and improving land fertility
• By directly involving communities and integrating nature-based solutions, it offers a scalable model for climate action that aligns environmental goals with local development
• The ICVCM label enhances trust and transparency in voluntary carbon markets—key concerns in global climate finance

⏭️ What's next: Tond Tenga will continue its phased rollout, restoring 37 degraded forest sites across four regions in Burkina Faso
• Tree Aid and its partners, including Earthshot Labs and Capricorn Investment Group, aim to channel over $30 million in local benefits, while promoting community land stewardship and climate resilience • The CCP label is expected to attract additional investors and guide future carbon project standards globally

💬 One quote: “This project demonstrates what high-integrity carbon markets can deliver: measurable climate results, community resilience, and landscape restoration at scale.” — Mandy Rambharos, CEO of Verra

📈 One stat: Over 6 million native trees will be planted in the project’s first four years, targeting the restoration of nearly 13,000 hectares of degraded land

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