TotalEnergies has signed an agreement with Arkansas-based forest carbon project developer NativState to conserve forests across the southern United States, targeting areas at risk of land conversion and intensive timber harvesting.
The deal involves 13 Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects spread across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, covering 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) of land owned by more than 280 private family forest landowners. The initiative aims to offer landowners an alternative source of income to the region’s prevalent timber harvesting practices by enhancing forest carbon stocks and restoring ecological health.
The programme, managed by NativState, incorporates measures such as preserving high conservation value forests, enforcing best practices for streamside management zones, promoting species diversity, and maintaining wildlife corridors. In addition to environmental benefits, the initiative will provide small landowners with forestry education, technical support, and access to voluntary carbon markets for potential financial gains.
All carbon credits generated will be certified by the American Carbon Registry (ACR), an international carbon crediting body. TotalEnergies intends to acquire these credits and use them from 2030 to voluntarily offset part of its residual direct Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions.
“TotalEnergies confirms its commitment to support the conservation and enhancement of carbon sinks, with local value creation,” said Adrien Henry, Vice President for 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, added: “We, at NativState, are honoured 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.”
