TotalEnergies has entered into an agreement with NativState, a forest carbon project developer based in Arkansas, to protect forests that are at risk due to land conversion and intensive logging. This partnership encompasses 13 Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, covering 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) of land owned by more than 280 private family forest landowners.
NativState’s carbon program provides landowners with a sustainable income alternative to heavy logging by encouraging long-term forest stewardship and enhancing carbon stocks. The initiative promotes sustainable forestry practices, which include safeguarding high conservation value areas, boosting biodiversity, managing streamside zones, and maintaining wildlife corridors. Additionally, it offers social and financial benefits through forest management education, technical assistance, and access to voluntary carbon markets.
All carbon credits generated will be certified by the American Carbon Registry (ACR), a globally recognized standard. TotalEnergies plans to acquire these credits and start using them from 2030 onwards to voluntarily offset part of its residual direct Scope 1 and 2 emissions, after prioritizing emissions reduction and avoidance.
“TotalEnergies confirms its commitment to support the conservation and enhancement of carbon sinks, with local value creation,” stated Adrien Henry, Vice President of Nature Based Solutions at TotalEnergies. “We are thrilled to support NativState to scale up their operations, directly benefiting the environment and their local communities.”
Stuart Allen, Founder and CEO of NativState, expressed, “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. It is a privilege to empower these landowners to embrace sustainable forestry practices, cultivating healthier lands and stronger communities for generations to come.”
Source: TotalEnergies
