Together with the non-profit climate protection organization myclimate , Pina Earth is driving forward the financing and implementation of nature-based solutions in German forests. The partnership enables companies to provide targeted support for forest conversion projects in Germany - for more climate protection, biodiversity and resilience right on their doorstep.
By working with Pina Earth, myclimate is expanding its commitment to nature-based solutions in Germany.
Nature-based solutions are playing an increasingly central role in combating the climate crisis. They use nature's processes to bind CO₂, protect ecosystems and at the same time strengthen resilience to climate impacts. There is an acute need for action in Germany, particularly in the forest sector: millions of hectares of weakened or dead monocultures of spruce or pine are barely adaptable to the increasing extreme weather events such as heat, drought or storms.
The conversion to species-rich, climate-resilient mixed forests is a major nature-based lever in climate protection - and at the same time a mammoth task. The Thünen Institute estimates that Germany alone will need to invest up to 43 billion euros to make its forests fit for the future. This process takes time, regional expertise and strong partners.
myclimate has been committed to climate protection worldwide for over 20 years, including nature-based solutions in Switzerland, Austria and Germany. These include projects in the areas of peatland restoration, paludiculture and agroforestry. The non-profit climate protection organization is now expanding its portfolio to include a forest conversion project with Pina Earth.
"Our forests are under massive pressure due to climate change. Monocultures of spruce or pine are particularly susceptible to drought, storm events or pest infestation. This makes the conversion to species-rich mixed forests one of the most important climate protection measures of the coming decades," says Susan Gille, team leader for nature-based solutions at myclimate.
With the partnership between myclimate and Pina Earth, two organizations are pooling their expertise - for regionally effective, certified forest projects in Germany. Pina Earth's technology-driven approach makes it possible to precisely and scalably calculate the CO₂ impact of forest conversion using a digital simulation model. The projects are certified according to independent standards, such as the German Forest Climate Standard. The measures in the forest are regularly checked by external auditors such as TÜV Nord. This creates a transparent and credible system that enables companies to purchaseCO2 certificates directly on site.
"Strong, long-term partnerships help us to effectively promote climate protection in Germany. We are very pleased about myclimate's commitment to promoting regional forest conversion in Brandenburg in the Herzfelde project and enabling companies to make a local contribution to climate protection," says Dr. Gesa Biermann, CEO of Pina Earth.
The first joint project between myclimate and Pina Earth is the forest conversion in Herzfelde in Brandenburg. There, a former pine monoculture stand is gradually being converted into a near-natural, climate-resilient mixed forest with over 10 tree species. Both natural regeneration and targeted planting measures are being used. Particularly noteworthy: The area borders on wetlands with high biodiversity - rare animal species such as the black stork and kingfisher also find a habitat here. In this way, the project not only contributes to climate protection, but also strengthens regional biodiversity.
For Susan Gille from myclimate, the project is special in several respects: "In Herzfelde, work is carried out according to the principles of near-natural forest management. The diversity of tree species makes it possible to strengthen the forest's ability to adapt to future climate conditions. At the same time, synergies are created for species and water protection - a real added value.
With the support of Pina Earth and myclimate, the forest owner can effectively implement forest conversion on the land: "With the support, I can invest in a forester who looks after the stands professionally and in horses to help with the backing, because mechanical harvesting destroys a lot. I can also leave more dead wood in the forest. These are all plans that you can have if you have a strong partner behind you." Lorenz von Schintling-Horny, forest owner in the Herzfelde project.
Would you also like to contribute to the success of the project? Please contact us at team@pina.earth!
Dr. Christine Rzepka has been Marketing & Communications Lead at Pina Earth since 2023. In her articles, she shares recommendations and practical insights on credible sustainability communication and provides insights into Pina Earth's technology-based approach to regional climate protection. Before joining Pina Earth, she worked in other start-ups in the FinTech and EdTech space, in technology consulting and in academia as part of her PhD in Information Systems.
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