Call for tenders:
Pina Earth is looking for forest conversion areas for_CO2 projects with secure income

The aim of a forest carbon offset project is to measure the additional amount of CO₂ sequestered in the forest, have it certified and remunerate it through the sale of CO₂ certificates.

Two scenarios are compared for this purpose:

- Reference scenario: Shows how the stand would develop under conventional management - based on forestry reference data such as the National Forest Inventory.

- Project scenario: Shows the additional CO₂ sequestration achieved through targeted measures, such as the introduction of climate-resilient trees, the promotion of natural regeneration or the extension of rotation periods. Project scenario: Shows the additional CO₂ sequestration performance through targeted measures, such as the introduction of climate-resilient tree species, the promotion of natural regeneration or the extension of rotation periods. The difference between the two scenarios results in the additional sequestration performance, which is certified and sold as CO₂ certificates on the voluntary market.

Pina Earth determines the CO₂ quantities according to internationally recognized standards and methodologies (e.g. WKS, Verra, ISO) and ensures certification. Independent auditors such as TÜV NORD confirm compliance with the requirements and ensure the credibility of the projects.

‍Forforest owners, this means in concrete terms:
By actively converting their forests, they receive partial financing of the costs incurred - and at the same time make a measurable contribution to climate protection.

Yes, it is generally possible to combine our services with state subsidy programs. In contrast to a subsidy program, we offer a service that does not conflict with state subsidy programs. 

Revenues from CO₂ certificates are market-based and are generated by selling them to companies that buy them as part of their climate targets. They are independent of government funding programs and can usually be combined with public funding.

In contrast to traditional funding programs, the requirements are less restrictive: for example, no fixed planting quotas are required, but the forest owners themselves define how they want to shape their conversion. These measures are then recorded in a contract. The documentation of the project is also much less extensive compared to state funding programs, so that the forest owners and foresters can concentrate on the essentials - climate-resilient forest conversion.

Certified forest conversion means that the conversion process and the CO₂ binding effect are checked and confirmed by independent auditors (e.g. TÜV NORD) - in accordance with recognized standards such as the Forest Climate Standard (WKS) or ISO 14064.
‍
The certification includes the CO₂ calculation, audits and registration of the CO₂ certificates produced in a public register. Pina Earth is also responsible for selling the certificates to certificate buyers.

Forest conversion refers to all measures that convert existing, structurally or species-poor stands or low-stocked areas into climate-resilient mixed forests.

These include:
- Planting of climate-adapted tree species
- Sowing of climate-adapted tree species
- Promotion of natural regeneration
- Thinning and structural development
- Removal of competing vegetation

Yes, adapted wildlife management - especially to promote natural regeneration - is recognized as a supporting measure and can be part of the conversion concept.

A rough description of your conversion goals and ideas is sufficient for the application.
The exact concept will be worked out together after the start of the project.

Below are two examples:

Example 1:

- years 0-6: thinning and thinning of the old stand, reduction from B° 1 to B °0.7, promotion of natural regeneration, planting of climate-resilient species such as red oak, coastal fir and Douglas fir, fencing and removal of competing vegetation

- years 7-10: Maintenance thinning and successive single stem removal for the long-term development of the old-growth stand, established crops continue to be secured and maintained, improvements are made as required, regeneration is continuously promoted.

‍Example2:
‍Ourforest conversion concept uses existing gaps in the stand to specifically introduce light-requiring and site-appropriate target tree species. Shade-tolerant tree species such as beech and fir are planted under canopies. Moderate removal and gap widening promote natural regeneration and at the same time develop a stable, sustainable mixed forest. In our pine-dominated age-class forest, the conversion can take place gradually through gap utilization and targeted removals. Existing gaps are used or expanded in order to introduce deciduous tree species such as beech or oak that are suitable for the location. Shade-tolerant species can be established under the loose pine canopy through planting or natural regeneration. The aim is a structurally rich mixed forest that is more climate-stable and stores more CO₂ in the long term.

No. For a conversion project, the stocking rate must be at least 0.3. There are alternative reforestation programs for purely clear-cut areas. 

No. Unlike many funding programs, there is no restriction to purely native tree species. Only a comprehensible scientific recommendation for the respective tree species at the location must be available (e.g. from forestry research institutes, ministries or universities).

Pina Earth takes over the entire project coordination - from planning the measures to certification and marketing the certificates. Your effort remains minimal and is limited to forestry implementation and simplified annual reporting of the measures implemented. After around ten years, the already very manageable scope of reporting is further reduced to the documentation of maintenance and stand protection measures.

The application is deliberately kept lean: Please preferably fill out the online form or alternatively send us the completed application form (in PDF) by e-mail.

If you are unsure: Please feel free to apply anyway. We know from experience that it is often possible to consider measures or areas that do not appear obvious at first glance. We have already experienced this several times - our team can identify potentially suitable areas in a very targeted manner. If in doubt, it is better to apply than to exclude.

You will receive feedback by the end of June 2025 at the latest.
Early applications are given priority - so it is worth submitting them early.

Our goal is to complete project development by fall 2025. The first payment will be made after successful certification, probably by the beginning of 2026.

Pina Earth: Everything to do with certification, including quantification and certification, project coordination, project documentation, coordination with standards and auditors, marketing of certificates.

Forest owners: Implementation of forestry measures on the project area, streamlined documentation of implemented measures.

After selection, we agree on the final project area and the conversion concept together.
We then sign a project contract and start the certification process.
The Pina Earth team accompanies you personally throughout the entire project.