What are nature-based carbon credits?

Nature-based carbon credits are instruments that certify the removal or sequestration of one tonne of CO2 equivalent through natural ecosystems such as forests. zeroCARBON credits are generated by the reforestation project in Petén, Guatemala, certified under Plan Vivo V5, and include verified social co-benefits for local communities: direct economic support to 209 participants across 46 communities, agricultural training, and community empowerment. The project has absorbed 560,000 tCO2 across 614 hectares of regenerated forest. Publicly traceable in the Plan Vivo registry: https://www.planvivo.org/zerocarbon

How does Plan Vivo certification work?

Plan Vivo is an international standard for high social impact carbon projects, founded over 25 years ago. It certifies that zeroCARBON credits are verified ex-post (after actual removal takes place), monitored via a proprietary satellite dMRV system and periodic on-the-ground verification. Unlike other standards, Plan Vivo requires that local communities receive direct benefits: in the zeroCARBON project, 60% of the wealth generated remains within the local area. Plan Vivo's PV Climate V5 standard is recognised by ICROA. Public registry for this project: https://www.planvivo.org/zerocarbon

What is the difference between nature-based and standard carbon credits?

Nature-based credits (NbS) sequester carbon through natural ecosystems such as forests, soils or wetlands. Standard credits can include renewable energy or industrial CO2 capture projects. zeroCARBON focuses exclusively on NbS with verified social co-benefits: 209 participants among farming families and indigenous Maya Qʼeqchiʼ groups across 46 communities in Petén. Plan Vivo V5 certification guarantees transparency on methodology, a verifiable baseline, and satellite-based ex-post monitoring.

How is the impact of the zeroCARBON project verified?

zeroCARBON uses a three-tier monitoring system: 1) proprietary satellite-based dMRV system for periodic analysis of forest cover and tree growth; 2) on-the-ground verification by local teams in Guatemala to confirm field activities; 3) independent third-party reports. As of 2026, the project has absorbed 560,000 tCO2 across 614 hectares, with 209 participants in 46 communities across 9 of the 14 municipalities in Petén. All data is accessible in the public Plan Vivo registry: https://www.planvivo.org/zerocarbon

Why choose Plan Vivo credits over other standards?

Plan Vivo is the only standard with a specific focus on verified social co-benefits for local communities. It requires ex-post verification (after actual removal), not projections of future removals. It includes smallholder farmers and indigenous communities, not large industrial plantations. It guarantees full transparency with a public registry. zeroCARBON is the first Plan Vivo V5 certified project in all of Guatemala, with the standard recognised by ICROA. The benefit-sharing model ensures that 60% of the wealth generated stays in the local area, with over 209 direct participants across 46 communities in Petén.

zeroCARBON | carbon removal project by zeroCO2

zeroCARBON

A new carbon removal project, for the planet, for the people.

zeroCARBON is a carbon removal program based in Guatemala that helps smallholders growing trees right alongside their crops, restoring ecosystems and boosting livelihoods in the process

who we are

We are project developers specializing in nature-based solutions with high social co-benefits in the region of Petén, Guatemala.

We partner with local farming and indigenous communities to develop reforestation projects that create meaningful social and environmental impact

Values

What makes zeroCARBON different

Our community-based carbon removal project involve over 200 participants, including individuals and cooperatives, ensuring the value generated is reinvested in local communities. Our participants include farming communities of small landowners, agricultural workers, and indigenous Maya (Qʼeqchiʼ) groups.

Social Impact is a priority

While supporting territories and communities in resisting the effects of the climate crisis, we operate with a benefit-sharing model, ensuring that 60% of the wealth generated by the project remains within the local area.

High ecological value project

We work exclusively with native hardwood species, maximising the cultural and economic benefits for the communities involved. Our assisted natural regeneration plan, developed in collaboration with INAB, balances the ecological value of project activities with biodiversity requirements.

Project developers and coordinators: we do it all

With our extensive experience in project development, we have a deep understanding of the territories, along with great flexibility and speed in execution.

Plan Vivo certification

We are (proudly!) certified under the new version of the Plan Vivo Carbon Standard (PV Climate V5) and the first Plan Vivo project in all of Guatemala. Plan Vivo’s PV Climate V5 is recognized by ICROA, the leading consortium of credit intermediaries and buyers.

Discover more on the Plan Vivo website

Transparent communication

We don’t just rely on numbers—we bring them to life. By getting hands-on with the project we support, we gather real, reliable insights to build communication strategies that blend the best of tech and human stories. Together, we’ll craft narratives that are both transparent and impactful, driven by data and designed to connect.

An highly transparent and traceable reforestation project

Transparency is a priority for us, which is why we focus on a carbon removal solution whose performance and KPIs can be monitored through our proprietary satellite-based dMRV system.

Where we work

The zeroCARBON project is developed in the Petén region of Guatemala.

1 Petén region of Guatemala

From 2001 to 2020, Guatemala lost 20% of its forests—equivalent to 1.5 million hectares. The expansion of monoculture agriculture and livestock farming has devastated forests and displaced local farmers. Through our project, we aim to make a tangible difference by promoting education, reducing poverty, and restoring the environment.

2 Local communities involved

zeroCARBON is being implemented across 9 of the 14 municipalities in the Petén department of Guatemala, engaging more than 46 local farming communities and 209 participants to date. The farmers involved come from diverse backgrounds, predominantly vulnerable families with limited access to basic services.

3 Gender and ethnic diversity

The project respects gender and ethnic diversity. Participants include Maya, Ladino and a growing group of Q’eqchi’ migrants, reflecting the demographic development of the region.

Certification

Proudly certified by

Plan Vivo is an international certification standard for community land-use projects, with a strong focus on climate, social, and environmental benefits.

Founded over 25 years ago, it is one of the longest-standing and most respected standards in the voluntary carbon market. We chose to obtain a Plan Vivo certification due to the alignment of our values.

Plan Vivo’s goals

1. Poverty Reduction:
Providing sustainable livelihoods to communities in degraded environments.
2. Environmental restoration:
Helping safeguard communities from climate change and biodiversity loss.
3. Local Capacity Building:
Transferring knowledge, skills, and resources to developing countries.

zeroCARBON has earned Earthly’s Keystone badge

zeroCARBON has earned Earthly’s Keystone badge by passing a rigorous, independent assessment across carbon, biodiversity, and people. Fewer than 10% of nature-based projects meet these high standards—a milestone that certifies the absolute integrity and quality of our impact.

Project size (ha)

614

Expected project size by 2028 (ha)

2400

CO2 that will be removed

560kt

Farming communities joining

209

Do you want to learn more about zeroCARBON and see how you could participate?