The Arizona Technology Council (AZTC) and VitalEco made a significant announcement that marks a substantial step towards achieving sustainability goals. On December 3, 2025, the two organizations launched the VitalEco Portfolio, a unique collection of highly dependable carbon projects aimed at facilitating companies in making credible sustainability commitments. This initiative aims not only to reduce carbon emissions but also to ensure that businesses can actively participate in sustainability efforts.
The VitalEco Portfolio offers AZTC’s 750 member organizations access to an array of carefully selected solutions which address immediate emissions reductions as well as long-term carbon removal strategies. The featured projects encompass a wide variety of innovative categories, among which are:
1.
Methane Emissions Abatement: This includes U.S. orphan well plugging projects, specifically designed to eliminate methane emissions right at the source. Methane, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), possesses a global warming potential that is over 80 times higher than CO2 within a 20-year timeframe. Such initiatives are crucial in the fight against climate change.
2.
Biochar and Biogenic Applications: This category focuses on the creation and application of carbon-rich materials across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. These materials have various applications ranging from waste management and building supplies to water treatment and soil restoration, effectively helping to mitigate environmental risks.
3.
Regenerative Agriculture: Carbon-smart farming practices have been integrated, geared toward the Midwest region. These practices not only sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the soil but also revitalize farmland, combat erosion, and improve soil's water retention capacity.
Every project incorporated into the VitalEco Portfolio is a part of The Northern Trust Carbon Ecosystem™, a digital platform that manages the complete lifecycle of digital carbon credits. This innovation ensures a transparent and efficient experience for settling carbon credits transactions.
In an exciting twist, VitalEco has pledged to allocate a portion of the earnings from carbon credit sales directly to the Arizona Technology Council. This funding will be utilized to support AZTC programs and fortify the collaborative mission aiming to establish Arizona as a leader in solutions driven by science and innovation.
Steven G. Zylstra, the President and CEO of the AZTC, expressed optimism about this collaboration, stating, "Arizona's technology community is renowned for its role in shaping the future. This partnership with VitalEco extends our leadership into sustainability by providing members with essential tools to take significant carbon action."
Jan Belt, CEO of VitalEco, added, "VitalEco's mission revolves around preventing emissions today while developing scalable solutions for the future. Each project within our portfolio is linked to The Northern Trust Carbon Ecosystem™, and notably, the proceeds from carbon credit sales are dedicated back to AZTC to bolster its programs. This dual impact not only reduces and removes carbon but also allows us to reinvest in local initiatives."
AZTC member companies are encouraged to participate as Founding Supporters of the VitalEco Portfolio until December 2025, providing an opportunity to gain early recognition as trailblazers in sustainability within Arizona's innovation community.
About AZTC
The Arizona Technology Council stands as Arizona's leading trade association for science and technology enterprises. The Council comprises a diverse group of business professionals committed to advancing technology throughout the state, relying on leadership, education, legislative action, and social initiatives.
About VitalEco
VitalEco champions environmental restoration and ecological preservation through a unique, purpose-driven approach. With a zeal for making impactful changes, their team is dedicated to leveraging expertise and innovation to benefit local communities. VitalEco is known for developing and sponsoring projects focused on methane abatement, emissions prevention, biochar, and regenerative agriculture, all aligned with pivotal global objectives such as permanence, additionality, and adherence to UN Sustainable Development Goals. For more information, visit
VitalEco's website.