Reforestation efforts to result in 4.13 million Verified Carbon Units while increasing productivity of farm land with 15,000 farmers

Catona Climate, a high-impact climate finance company, has announced a $21 million investment in carbon projects through Trees for the Future (TREES), a non-profit organization training farmers in sustainable agroforestry practices across sub-Saharan Africa. This partnership will enable TREES to provide necessary support and training to 15,000 farmers in and around Lake Victoria Watershed in western Kenya to plant 87 million trees, effectively creating 15,000 hectares of regenerative agroforestry land. The restoration effort will generate 4.13 million Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) and help farmers adapt to the impacts of climate.

Catona Climate will provide a portion of the profits from the sale of the VCUs back to TREES and the farmers involved in the projects. In addition to the VCUs produced, farmers are restoring the health and productivity of their land, improving soil health and increasing biodiversity, dietary diversity and income. This project will help farmers diversify the crops that they grow and sell from an average of two crops up to an average of 24 crops.

"Part of our due diligence in assessing the carbon project partners we work with is a shared commitment to the pressing issue of deforestation and its impact on the environment, communities and wildlife," said Rob Lee, Chief Carbon Officer of Catona Climate. "We are proud to partner with Trees for the Future, a proven leader in promoting reforestation and sustainable agriculture."

Since its founding in 1989, TREES has planted over 300 million trees with farming communities around the world. Through their "Forest Garden Approach," TREES teaches farmers to transform their land with thousands of fast-growing, ecologically appropriate trees and dozens of other crops, creating new possibilities for themselves and their communities. The average Forest Garden in this project will be made up of 5,800 trees per hectare, resulting in a total of 4.13 million metric tonnes of CO2 removed from the atmosphere over 20 years.

"Partnerships like the one we've developed with Catona Climate are key to expanding our work to not only combat climate change, but also improve the lives of farmers and communities in Kenya and beyond," according to Trees for the Future Executive Director Tim McLellan. "We're thrilled to partner with Catona Climate and look forward to all the positive impact this partnership will bring to bear."

Catona Climate holds one of the largest portfolios of high-impact climate assets, with projects across the globe supporting nature-based carbon removal solutions. Through a rigorous vetting process backed by major independent carbon standards, the company carefully identifies, verifies, monitors and reports on each project throughout its lifecycle. You can learn more about Catona Climate at Catona.com.

About Catona Climate

Catona Climate is a climate finance company that delivers high-quality carbon solutions to businesses everywhere, helping transform climate pledges into measurable action through rigorously vetted high-impact nature-based carbon projects around the world. Guided by an unwavering commitment to the planet, Catona Climate exists to combat the climate crisis by driving capital to nature and enabling a fair and equitable transition to a net-zero future. Catona Climate is a member of the Business Alliance to Scale Climate Solutions, Project Drawdown, IETA and other critical industry groups dedicated to accelerating climate action. For more information, visit Catona.com.

About Trees for the Future

Trees for the Future (TREES) trains farmers in agroforestry and sustainable land use—so that they can build vibrant regional economies, thriving food systems, and a healthier planet. TREES is a registered nonprofit based in the US and working across sub-Saharan Africa. To date, they've reached 41,000 farmers through the Forest Garden Approach. Visit trees.org to learn more.

Media Contacts
Trees for the Future
media@trees.org

Catona Climate
press@catona.com