Key Impact Points:
- ERS takes over Equitable Earth to advance community-led REDD+ forest conservation and halt tropical deforestation.
- Indigenous leadership embedded through governance, consultation, and FPIC safeguards—ensuring projects reflect local priorities.
- New methodology combines rigorous carbon accounting, ecosystem monitoring, and digital innovation to deliver trusted credits.
ERS Acquires Indigenous-Focused Forest Carbon Standard
ERS, an ICVCM-approved carbon standard focused on nature-based solutions, has acquired Equitable Earth, a forest carbon standard co-developed by Indigenous leaders, community stakeholders, and technical experts. The move marks a significant shift in voluntary carbon markets toward prioritizing high-integrity, community-rooted REDD+ projects.
Equitable Earth was designed to stop deforestation and protect forests by channeling fair investment into the communities who steward them. The standard emerged from a coalition of over 125 contributors across 60+ organizations, with leadership from Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities.
“For too long decisions about our forests have been made without us, but Equitable Earth can help change that… this is more than just a carbon standard, it’s a tool for climate justice,” said Francisca Arara, Extraordinary Secretary for Indigenous Peoples in Acre, Brazil.
A Tool for Climate Justice
The acquisition fulfills the coalition’s vision for Equitable Earth to become an independent, trusted standard rooted in equity and guided by Indigenous priorities.
“Equitable Earth was built on the conviction that Indigenous and traditional communities must be co-creators of credible and just solutions… We now hand it over with confidence,” said Beto Borges, Director at Forest Trends.
ERS will now lead the technical review and public consultation phase before fully integrating Equitable Earth into its broader program.
Strengthening REDD+ With Scientific Rigor
ERS’s CEO Thibault Sorret emphasized the urgency of forest protection in light of the 80% increase in tropical primary forest loss last year.
“Protecting the world’s forests can no longer wait… This acquisition allows ERS to meet that urgency and deliver a trusted standard for high-quality REDD+ credits.”
ERS will apply its three core pillars—ecological condition, carbon, and livelihoods—while using centralized carbon accounting, annual monitoring, and digital innovation to scale and streamline certification.
Indigenous Oversight and Accountability
Ongoing Indigenous leadership will shape governance, with strong safeguards embedded throughout, including:
- Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)
- Revenue transparency and grievance mechanisms
- Ecosystem and biodiversity monitoring
- Adaptive management grounded in continuous consultation
“I am happy to see Equitable Earth moving forward… the platform is being built with integrity and based on the voices and priorities of Indigenous communities,” said Dayanne Tenharim, President of APITEM.
“It was meaningful to be part of the consultation process,” added Maricar Yawanawa of Associação Sociocultural Yawanawa.
Alignment With National Priorities
ERS is now in discussions with several of the world’s largest rainforest nations to align the standard with national development strategies and accelerate project deployment.
By combining scientific rigor with Indigenous governance and community leadership, ERS and Equitable Earth aim to set a new benchmark for forest conservation and carbon credit integrity.
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