Verra has registered the first-ever project using a carbon credit methodology that meets the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market’s (ICVCM) Core Carbon Principles (CCPs). This marks a major step forward in raising the bar for high-integrity climate action.
The project, called Tond Tenga, is based in Burkina Faso, West Africa. It’s part of Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program and uses a newly developed method (VM0047) focused on restoring degraded land. By planting native trees and using agroforestry, the project aims to bring over 12,000 hectares back to life.
Tond Tenga Becomes First to Use ICVCM-Approved Verra Method
Mandy Rambharos, CEO of Verra, commented,
“This project demonstrates what high-integrity carbon markets can deliver: measurable climate results, community resilience, and landscape restoration at scale. As the first project to register under a CCP-approved VCS methodology, the Tond Tenga project illustrates the high-quality climate action that ICVCM-approved methodologies can catalyze.”
VM0047 was officially approved by the ICVCM in December 2024. Any project using this method will now receive the respected CCP label on its carbon credits. This indicates high quality and credibility in the global carbon market.
Although some Verra projects have previously received CCP-labeled credits, this is the first time a project has been registered using a VCS-developed methodology that has ICVCM’s seal of approval. It’s a key milestone for Verra, showing its leadership in creating trusted and impactful climate solutions.
Targets 3.7M Tons CO₂ Removal
Tond Tenga means “Our Land” in Mòoré, the most widely spoken language in Burkina Faso. It’s a people-powered movement to reverse land degradation, fight poverty, and build long-term climate resilience.
Launched by Tree Aid, a UK-based NGO, the Tond Tenga project is set to run for 40 years. During this time, it’s expected to remove up to 3.7 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent. In just the first four years, more than 6 million native trees will be planted, and nearly 13,000 hectares of land will be brought back to life.
Tree Aid has worked with local communities to identify 37 degraded forest sites across 18 communes and four regions. These sites have suffered due to decades of unsustainable farming and deforestation. It left the soil infertile with very few natural resources. The Tond Tenga project is meant to enrich the land by planting more trees with agroforestry techniques.
Climate Action That Works for People
However, the purpose extends beyond just planting trees. It’s also about empowering people. In Burkina Faso, where more than 70% of the population lives in rural areas, land is life. But climate change is hitting hard, with temperatures rising twice as fast as the global average. Land degradation is advancing at an alarming rate. Over 9 million hectares are already affected, with 360,000 more at risk every year.
Tree Aid highlighted that Tond Tenga is the nature-based solution that benefits both the environment and the economy:
- Local Empowerment: Communities—including women and youth—get direct access to the land and income generated from carbon credits.
- Income Generation: The project is expected to bring over $30 million in financial benefits over 40 years to people managing and restoring the land.
- Skills Training: Locals are trained in agroforestry, soil and water conservation, and forest management to ensure long-term impact.
- Biodiversity & NTFPs: By restoring native tree species, communities regain access to culturally important non-timber forest products (NTFPs), which also help supplement incomes.
This model brings real, measurable improvements to both the ecosystem and the daily lives of people.
Verra, Tree Aid, and Global Partners Raise the Bar
Furthermore, Tree Aid has a partnership with Earthshot Labs and Capricorn Investment Group. Together, they support the large-scale funding required for reforestation. At the same time, they ensure that carbon market benefits reach those involved in the ground work.
By earning ICVCM approval, Tond Tenga sets a higher standard for transparency and impact in climate projects. It paves the way for future initiatives that not only mitigate carbon but also benefit local communities. Last but not least, Verra’s registration of this project shows that carbon markets can be trustworthy, community-led, and truly good for our planet.
