TotalEnergies Partners with NativState to Boost Sustainable Forestry Initiatives

TotalEnergies has recently announced a significant new collaboration with NativState, a company dedicated to forest carbon project development based in Arkansas. This partnership aims to enhance the sustainability of forest management practices while actively protecting vital carbon sinks against detrimental land conversion and aggressive timber harvesting practices.

The agreement encompasses 13 Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects across multiple U.S. states, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Collectively, these projects cover an impressive area of approximately 100,000 hectares (around 247,000 acres). Owned by over 280 private family forest landowners, this initiative is designed to offer a sustainable financial alternative to traditional heavy timber harvesting methods while also working towards restoring the health of these forests and improving carbon storage abilities.

As stewards of the environment, NativState’s approach prioritizes sustainable forestry practices. This includes recognizing and conserving high conservation value forests, implementing best management techniques particularly for streamside management zones, promoting forest biodiversity, and preserving wildlife corridors that are critical for maintaining ecological integrity.

Additionally, the program aims to deliver substantial social and economic benefits to local small landowners. Obstacles to sustainable forestry management, such as access to education and resources, will be mitigated through various support initiatives facilitated by NativState. This cooperation ensures that participating landowners gain access to voluntary carbon markets, empowering them with a new source of income derived from sustainably managed forests as opposed to historical practices of intensive timber extraction.

Each carbon credit generated by the projects will be certified through the ACR (American Carbon Registry), a widely respected carbon crediting program, ensuring transparency and credibility. TotalEnergies plans to acquire these credits and utilize them to offset a portion of its direct Scope 1 and 2 emissions beginning in 2030.

Adrien Henry, Vice President of Nature Based Solutions at TotalEnergies, emphasized the company’s commitment by stating, "TotalEnergies confirms its commitment to support the conservation and enhancement of carbon sinks, while ensuring local value creation. We are excited to support NativState as they scale their operations, which benefits both the environment and local communities."

Stuart Allen, the Founder and CEO of NativState, also expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We are honored to work alongside TotalEnergies and our family landowners. This collaboration presents remarkable opportunities to create a lasting legacy for small forest landowners while also assisting TotalEnergies in navigating the challenges presented by global energy markets. It enables us to empower these landowners to adopt sustainable forestry practices, creating healthier ecosystems and stronger communities for future generations."

TotalEnergies' long-term climate strategy transcends emissions avoidance and reduction. Their goal is to invest $100 million annually into projects that could yield at least five million metric tons of CO2 equivalent carbon credits per year by 2030. Post-2030, these credits are intended to be instrumental in offsetting the company’s scope 1 and 2 emissions. This multifaceted commitment places sustainability at the core of TotalEnergies’ endeavours, reflecting a broader trend in the energy sector towards responsible environmental stewardship.

This venture signals a pivotal step forward for both TotalEnergies and NativState, paving the way towards greater environmental integrity and sustainable community development, all while enhancing corporate responsibility in the rapidly evolving landscape of global energy. For those interested in learning more about TotalEnergies' initiatives and sustainability commitments, the company's Sustainability and Climate 2025 Progress Report offers a detailed insight into their ongoing efforts.

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