Carbon removal certificates describe one tonne of CO₂ that has been removed from the atmosphere. In our projects, this is achieved, for example, through the growth of newly planted trees.

Carbon avoidance credits describe a ton of CO₂ which has been avoided from being released into the atmosphere. This is achieved through our projects, as fewer trees die in mixed forests as a result of climate change.

Due to the focus on the introduction of new trees and tree species, Pina Earth's projects consist mainly of carbon removal certificates and only to a small extent of carbon avoidance certificates.

Pina Earth's forest adaptation projects are certified by TÜV NORD CERT GmbH according to the ISO 14064-2 standard. TÜV NORD CERT is accredited by the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to validate and verify climate protection projects.

In addition, our forest adaptation method is currently in the accreditation process with the "Wald-Klimastandard" - the first German standard to certify forest ecosystem services.

There are three major categories for nature-based solutions: Forest protection, afforestation and improved forest management. Pina Earth’s projects fall into the category of improved forest management.

Forest protection is hardly applicable to Europe, as there is not much illegal deforestation taking place.

Afforestation plays an important role in climate change. However, Europe has a high population density and not many areas are available for impactful afforestation.

Meanwhile, improved forest management is highly important as 25% of the total forest (3 million hectares) need to be adapted in Germany alone. Turning endangered monocultures into climate-resilient, biodiverse forests is therefore an urgent task that Pina Earth focuses on and welcomes clients to join.

The additionality criterion means that a project would not have been developed without the additional revenues from the carbon market. Pina Earth carefully examines whether a project is additional and only develops projects where additionality is given. In more details, there are three types of additionality which Pina Earth evaluates:

Legal additionality: At the start of Pina Earth’s projects, the climate project and
planned measures are not prescribed by laws, ordinances, or regulations. Further, the scientifically required adaptation rate of 95,000 ha/year by 2050 will not be achieved via legal frameworks alone.

Financial additionality: The costs of implementing projects on the project areas during the crediting period exceed the income generated by the project implementation.

Carbon additionality: The project generates a real and measurable climate impact, which is above the performance level of standard practice (baseline or “business-as-usual”).

Pina Earth’s projects are currently all located in Germany. First projects are located in Thüringen and Brandenburg.

Companies can communicate publicly their climate contribution. Depending on the project and upon consultation with Pina Earth, a Net-Zero claim may also be possible. For detailled information, please see page 4 of this document from the waldklima standard.