Pina Earth and ECS Climate Solutions are combining their expertise to promote high-quality forest-based climate protection in Austria

‍Munich / Weitra, September 2026. Pina Earth and ECS Climate Solutions are pooling their expertise in Austrian forest-based climate protection. Both companies share a common understanding: Climate protection projects must be scientifically sound, independently verified, and effective in the long term. This is precisely what both companies are focusing on in their collaboration.

A Common Quality Framework

Over the years, ECS has established itself in Austria as a provider of sound, scientifically conservative, independently audited calculation methods with a strong focus on forest restoration. Through this merger, ECS gains access to an international buyer market, while Pina Earth contributes its highly developed tech platform and expertise in scaling up forest climate protection projects. Both parties have made a conscious decision to continue this commitment to quality together.

A concrete example of this is the newly developed IIFM (Impact Improved Forest Management) methodology, which was created through collaboration. The positive feedback received from experts and stakeholders during the successful ICR Public Consultation on this topic is a clear indication that this collaborative approach is technically sound.

What does the merger mean for forest owners and companies?

For forest owners in Austria, this merger means, above all, easier access to the market without compromising the high standards of methodology they have come to expect.

• Methodological Depth: ECS Climate Solutions brings its scientifically sound, conservative, yet practical methodology, as well as its many years of experience working with local forest owners, stakeholders, and decision-makers in international regulatory bodies.
• Market Access: Pina Earth brings its European network of corporate clients—such as Deutsche Telekom, Müller, and Airbnb—along with its long-standing expertise gained through the development of approximately 90 climate protection projects, and its technological platform for quantification and certification.

For companies that invest in Austrian forest-based climate protection projects, this means, in particular, improved access to carbon removals from projects that have been rigorously verified using sound methodologies, without having to compromise on transparency or traceability.

“It’s important to us that this step isn’t just about growth, but a commitment to quality,” says Dr. Christine Rzepka, CEO of Pina Earth. “Over the years, ECS has proven in Austria that scientific rigor and practical implementation go hand in hand and build trust. That’s exactly what we want to continue doing together.”

Vincenz Fürstenberg Takes on Responsibility for Austria and Methodology

Vincenz Fürstenberg will remain the primary point of contact for Austrian forest owners and partners even after the merger. As part of the collaboration, the founder of ECS Climate Solutions will take on the role of managing the Austrian office as a partner at Pina Earth and will continue to play a key role in quality management and methodological work. 

“For me, it was clear from the very beginning: The quality of the project and its methodology determines whether a climate protection project fulfills its purpose and has a genuine, long-term impact on the climate and the forest,” says Vincenz Fürstenberg. “I share this commitment with Pina Earth. This partnership gives us the opportunity to work together to further develop quality standards in Austria—for forest owners as well as for companies that want to rely on regional climate protection projects.”

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The companies

Pina Earth

Pina Earth develops scientifically sound, certified climate protection projects that sustainably transform threatened forest areas and strengthen their biodiversity. By transforming vulnerable monocultures into biodiverse, climate-resilient ecosystems, these projects sequester additional CO₂ and strengthen forests against heat, storms, and droughts. The portfolio currently comprises 88 projects focused on Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, covering over 160,000 hectares. 

For the latest information on Pina Earth, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pina-de/ and https://www.pina.earth/blog

‍ECS Climate Solutions

ECS develops IFM forest and wetland conservation projects in Austria with a particular focus on climate change adaptation, scientific rigor, and practical feasibility.
In addition, ECS actively contributes its technical expertise to the further development of quality standards for forest climate protection and participates in stakeholder processes, technical working groups, and regulatory discussions both in Austria and at the European level.

For the latest information on ECS Climate Solutions, visit: https://ecs.earth/

Press Contact:
Dr. Christine Rzepka
Email: press@pina.earth