TotalEnergies Invests in U.S. Sustainable Forestry Operations with Anew Climate and Aurora Sustainable Lands

In a bid to strengthen its environmental commitments, TotalEnergies has made a significant investment of $100 million in sustainable forestry projects across the United States. The company has teamed up with Anew Climate, a leader in climate solutions, and Aurora Sustainable Lands, a carbon-stewardship company. This partnership aims to protect forests from excessive timber harvesting, implement sustainable management practices, and enhance the forests' capacity to capture and store more carbon from the atmosphere.

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This collaboration reflects TotalEnergies' broader commitment to carbon neutrality and sustainable environmental practices, while also supporting the U.S. government's Voluntary Carbon Markets Principles. The goal is clear: preserve natural carbon sinks, reduce emissions, and improve the overall health of the ecosystem.

A New Era of Sustainable Forest Management

The partnership between TotalEnergies, Anew Climate, and Aurora Sustainable Lands will focus on improving forest management across 300,000 hectares in 10 U.S. states, including Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, and more. These areas have been carefully selected for their potential to enhance carbon storage while also improving biodiversity, water quality, and soil health.

The Improved Forest Management (IFM) practices aim to preserve natural habitats by reducing excessive timber harvesting and replacing it with more sustainable approaches. By protecting these forests, the partnership is not only safeguarding valuable natural resources but also contributing to the reduction of global carbon emissions.

Adrien Henry, Vice President Nature Based Solutions at TotalEnergies, shared his excitement about the collaboration: “We are thrilled to partner with such experienced specialists as Anew Climate and Aurora Sustainable Lands, who develop high-quality projects aimed at the sustainable preservation of natural carbon sinks which is essential to achieve carbon neutrality.” His words underscore the importance of the partnership in advancing sustainable forestry efforts in the U.S.

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The Role of Anew Climate and Aurora Sustainable Lands

Both Anew Climate and Aurora Sustainable Lands play critical roles in ensuring the success of this initiative. Anew Climate brings extensive expertise in climate solutions, having worked on various carbon reduction projects. Their involvement will ensure that the carbon projects meet the highest standards of additionality and durability, ensuring that the carbon captured and stored by these forests is truly impactful.

Angela Schwarz, CEO of Anew Climate, highlighted the importance of the partnership, stating, “Anew Climate is honored to partner with TotalEnergies on their journey to reach carbon neutrality. As we worked closely with the TotalEnergies Nature Based Solutions team throughout the stringent due diligence process, it was clear that their commitment to avoiding and reducing emissions as a first principle while recognizing the co-benefits of investing in meaningful carbon projects aligned perfectly with Anew’s mission.”

Aurora Sustainable Lands, on the other hand, will provide operational oversight to ensure that the forest management practices are properly implemented. Their stewardship of the forests aims to strike a balance between forest health, soil quality, watershed management, and wildlife habitat conservation.

Jamie Houston, CEO of Aurora Sustainable Lands, emphasized the significance of TotalEnergies' investment, saying, “Aurora’s carbon stewardship enhances climate resilience while safeguarding vital ecosystems across our forestlands. Thanks to TotalEnergies’ steadfast trust and investment across our portfolio, we can maintain the delicate balance between forest health, soil quality, watersheds, and wildlife habitats. Together we are yielding substantial and lasting climate impact at a massive scale.”

Preserving Carbon Sinks and Promoting Biodiversity

The environmental benefits of this partnership extend beyond just carbon capture. By implementing sustainable forest management practices, the initiative will help preserve biodiversity, improve water and soil quality, and conserve natural habitats. These practices ensure that forests remain productive while also serving as effective carbon sinks.

Forests are one of nature's most important tools in the fight against climate change. By absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, they play a critical role in reducing the amount of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Through this investment, TotalEnergies, Anew Climate, and Aurora Sustainable Lands are working together to ensure that forests continue to perform this vital function.

Aligning with U.S. Carbon Market Principles

TotalEnergies' investment aligns with the Voluntary Carbon Markets Joint Policy Statement and Principles issued by the U.S. government earlier in 2024. These principles focus on integrity, transparency, and environmental protection, ensuring that voluntary carbon markets are a reliable tool in the fight against climate change.

By supporting sustainable forestry projects that adhere to these principles, TotalEnergies is not only contributing to carbon reduction but also ensuring that these efforts are credible and transparent. The carbon credits generated by these projects will be acquired by TotalEnergies and retired beyond 2030. These credits will help the company offset part of its remaining direct Scope 1 and 2 emissions, once efforts to avoid and reduce emissions have been prioritized.

TotalEnergies’ approach is a clear example of how corporate climate action can be both strategic and impactful. The company is not just investing in carbon offsets but in sustainable practices that create long-term environmental benefits.

A Comprehensive Approach to Climate Action

The partnership between TotalEnergies, Anew Climate, and Aurora Sustainable Lands reflects a broader trend in climate action, where businesses recognize the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to reducing their carbon footprints. Rather than focusing solely on emission reductions, they are investing in nature-based solutions that create positive environmental outcomes on a larger scale.

TotalEnergies' commitment to net-zero emissions is driving investments like this one. By focusing on preserving and enhancing carbon sinks, the company is ensuring that its actions are not just about reducing emissions but also about fostering the long-term health of ecosystems.

In conclusion, the partnership between TotalEnergies, Anew Climate, and Aurora Sustainable Lands marks a significant milestone in the effort to combat climate change. With a focus on preserving forests, enhancing carbon capture, and promoting sustainable management practices, this initiative will have a lasting impact on both the environment and the communities surrounding these forestlands.

As Adrien Henry noted, “This partnership is essential to achieving carbon neutrality, and we are proud to be working with experts who share our vision for a sustainable future.” This collaboration not only showcases the power of corporate responsibility but also highlights the critical role that forests play in the fight against climate change.