CARBON CREDITS & OFFSETTING
We do not support carbon credits & offsetting
Genuine climate action means working with Nature, not trading it.
Carbon credits have become a standard part of corporate climate strategies. And on the surface the logic seems sound: offset what you cannot yet reduce by funding nature-based projects elsewhere. But the reality and evidence tells a different story.
Land rights violations, displacement of Indigenous communities, communities paid a fraction of the value generated from their land, and forests credited for carbon they never stored have led to The Women and Gender Constituency to the UN calling these schemes "false solutions."
This is not a series of unfortunate failures. They are built into a system designed to make pollution manageable, not eradicate it.
When we treat Nature as a commodity and little else, we look to "solutions" that allow business to continue as usual and it is the communities on the ground who bear the cost.
We do not engage with carbon credits or offsetting of any kind, because we do not believe the same logic that created this crisis can be the foundation for solving it. What we fund instead is community-led reforestation rooted in local ownership, Indigenous rights, and a genuine relationship between people and the ecosystems they live within.
OUR VISION
TreeSisters envisions a world where Nature is not reduced to a commodity to be exploited into extinction. A world where thriving ecosystems, empowered communities, and gender equity are interwoven, and where humanity rekindles its innate connection to the natural world.
While we welcome the growing momentum towards climate solutions, we also recognise the significant issues within carbon markets and accreditation systems.
We believe that treating Nature as a commodity only perpetuates the very problem it seeks to solve. Our focus is on addressing the root causes of environmental harm, fostering a world where Nature is valued for its inherent worth, not its market price.
GLOBAL CONTEXT & BACKGROUND
Forests are experiencing the impact of climate change at an alarming rate. In response, businesses are pledging net-zero commitments in line with the Paris Agreement’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050. While companies work to reduce emissions, many turn to offsets as part of their climate and sustainability strategies. However, balancing emissions in the short term is not a long-term solution.
Historically, offsets have been part of market-based approaches, such as cap-and-trade programs, where companies emit more and can buy credits from others rather than reduce their emissions. This model is now considered inadequate due to poor quality control and misleading claims, as well as failing to meet the pressing need to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. Businesses, governments, and individuals must prioritise emission reductions and rely on offsets only for near-term solutions or residual emissions to stay on the 1.5°C pathway.
In addition, many Indigenous and native communities have long recognised the flaws in market-based approaches to reducing emissions. Rooted in Original Principles, Nature is viewed as a living entity that cannot be commodified. And now, more Western organisations are beginning to awaken to the importance of this perspective. ​
OUR POSITION
We advocate for genuine, community-led reforestation efforts that prioritise local involvement, uphold Indigenous rights, and respect the relationship between humans and Nature.
As climate and forest-related commitments from businesses and governments continue to rise, it is crucial to establish a clear understanding of what ethical, environmentally responsible action truly entails. We closely follow global developments, critically assessing approaches to climate action and the role of Nature in these efforts.
Our commitment goes beyond observation. We engage in ongoing dialogue with Indigenous Peoples, leading experts, community groups, and NGOs who experience the realities on the ground. Their knowledge and lived experience help ensure our actions are rooted in integrity and aligned with the needs of those most impacted. Our reforestation projects are community-led, rooted in ethics, and selected based on local participation and ownership.
By partnering with us, individuals and organisations can take an active and vital role in restoring forests, protecting biodiversity, and empowering the communities—particularly women—who depend on these ecosystems.
HELP MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE.
We understand that donations for reforestation can be integral to an organisation’s broader strategy to combat climate change and environmental degradation. While balancing emissions in the short term can serve as a stepping stone during the transition away from fossil fuels, neutralising residual emissions is essential for long-term sustainability.
Supporting trees is crucial not only for carbon sequestration but also for maintaining precipitation and water cycles, both vital for climate stabilisation. The most effective, sustainable and ethical way to protect forests is by truly partnering with the communities that live within them. Our focus extends far beyond carbon. We aim to support entire ecosystems, biodiversity, and the communities that rely on them. We believe in holistic action that prioritises life and ecosystems over transactional approaches.
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Your support is vital in helping us address these critical environmental and social challenges.
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