Trafigura Group Pte Ltd and GenZero, a decarbonisation investment platform owned by Temasek, have committed over $100 million to expand the Brújula Verde landscape restoration project in Colombia’s Orinoco River Basin. This substantial investment seeks to double the project’s capacity to generate high-quality carbon removal credits through afforestation and reforestation on degraded land, with no commercial harvesting, supporting both environmental preservation and local development.
The expanded project, conducted in collaboration with Inverbosques, aims to plant over 24 million mixed-species trees, restoring one of Colombia’s most biodiverse areas. Besides acting as a durable carbon sink to counteract emissions, the Brújula Verde initiative provides extensive social benefits, including over 700 local jobs, positioning Inverbosques as a significant employer in the region. Additionally, the project includes direct revenue-sharing arrangements with local communities to support social initiatives.
Matthew Nelson, Head of Carbon Investments at Trafigura, highlighted the value of the collaboration, saying, “This expansion demonstrates how investment-grade carbon removal assets can enable institutional finance at scale. GenZero’s partnership will enhance the scope and impact of Brújula Verde, supporting local employment and delivering environmental and biodiversity benefits, while generating high-integrity, nature-based carbon credits.”
The first issuance of carbon credits from the project is expected in late 2025, with the credits designed to meet international standards for high-integrity carbon markets. Brújula Verde has partnered with specialised service providers to ensure rigorous environmental and social performance. Partners include Nature Metrics for biodiversity monitoring, Opus Insights for digital carbon tracking, Ingeobosques for compliance with Forest Stewardship Council and IFC standards, and South Pole for carbon asset development, strengthening the project’s sustainability framework.
Hoon Ling Min, Director of Investments at GenZero, noted the ecological importance of the project: “The Brújula Verde project represents a significant effort to restore one of Colombia’s most biologically diverse areas. By improving soil health and gradually reintroducing native species, this project produces high-quality carbon credits, a crucial component in developing robust carbon markets.”
The Brújula Verde project spans 20,000 hectares, with 10,000 hectares already planted and an additional 10,000 scheduled for completion. The project has also invested in infrastructure improvements, including nurseries and logistics, that further bolster local employment.