American Forest Foundation Partners with Netflix for Carbon Credits Over 15 Years

AFF and Netflix Join Forces for Carbon Credits

In a significant move toward enhancing sustainable forestry practices, the American Forest Foundation (AFF) announced its partnership with Netflix, locking in a 15-year contract for the purchase of verified carbon credits. This groundbreaking agreement targets the Fields & Forests project (FF), an innovative initiative dedicated to afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation efforts across the U.S. South.

A New Approach to Forestry

The Fields & Forests initiative allows AFF to work closely with family landowners, enabling them to convert their underutilized fields into productive forests. This not only creates thriving ecosystems but also generates additional revenue streams for rural communities. Netflix's investment is directed towards launching an initial 6,000 acres of this project, seeking to play its part in the global fight against climate change while offering financial support to these landowners.

John Ringer, Senior Director of Project Finance and Environmental Markets at AFF, commented, "Netflix's partnership exemplifies what can happen when businesses align with nature. Through targeted investments and robust scientific backing, natural climate solutions can tackle the critical conservation issues we face today." He emphasized the potential impact of this collaboration and called on other corporations to follow Netflix's lead in investing in sustainable practices.

Innovative Financing at Work

Netflix's early-stage financing through a novel mechanism known as milestone prepayments is a key feature of the collaboration. By connecting upfront financial resources with specific milestones regarding acreage enrollment, this approach allows AFF to offer substantial financial and technical support to more landowners.

FF has been particularly designed to lower barriers for small-acreage landowners who have often been excluded from the voluntary carbon market due to high costs and complex programs. Instead of burdening landowners with upfront expenses, AFF covers all site preparation and planting costs, while also providing continuous technical support and annual financial payments over the duration of their 30-year contracts.

So far, the program has successfully enrolled 2,500 acres of family-managed lands, which are set to see the planting of 1.4 million new trees. This commitment includes $2 million in direct payments to landowners. Looking ahead, by 2032, the project aims to expand to 75,000 acres, potentially generating a staggering 4.8 million carbon credits and bolstering the livelihoods of rural families across the Southern United States.

Personal Impact on Communities

For Alisha Logue, a landowner from Georgia participating in the Fields & Forests initiative, the program symbolizes much more than just an environmental project; it represents a link to her family’s legacy. "This land is my only connection to my grandma. I want it to provide for my daughter as she grows up," Logue expressed. "Fields & Forests has given me a way to protect and ensure my family's legacy."

Through this partnership, both Netflix and AFF are not only addressing urgent climate challenges but are also empowering communities and promoting sustainable forest management practices. With a vision to extend these initiatives, AFF continues to work diligently to ensure a positive impact on nature, rural communities, and the planet.

To explore more about the efforts of AFF and the significance of the Fields & Forests project, visit Family Forest Carbon.

About the American Forest Foundation

The American Forest Foundation is a national organization dedicated to empowering family forest owners to make a meaningful conservation impact. With programs like the Family Forest Carbon Program and the American Tree Farm System, AFF provides landowners with the tools and knowledge they need to manage their forests sustainably. For more information, check out American Forest Foundation.