TotalEnergies partners with NativState to conserve forests, support sustainable forestry, and generate certified carbon credits for future emissions offset.
TotalEnergies has strengthened its environmental stewardship efforts by entering into a new agreement with NativState, a forest carbon project developer headquartered in Arkansas. This strategic partnership is centered on the conservation of approximately 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) of privately owned forestlands across four southern U.S. states: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The land involved is held by more than 280 small private family landowners and is part of a broader initiative to protect forested areas from land-use conversion and intensive timber harvesting, which are prevalent in the region.
The initiative comprises 13 Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects designed to promote forest sustainability and long-term ecological health. Through this program, NativState introduces landowners to alternative, sustainable income streams by enrolling their forests into a carbon program. Rather than relying on heavy logging for revenue, these landowners are incentivized to conserve and manage their forests more responsibly, contributing to better carbon sequestration and enhanced biodiversity.
The investment by TotalEnergies will support a range of sustainable forestry practices, including the identification and protection of high conservation value forests, the application of best management practices (BMPs) in streamside zones, diversification of native tree species, and the preservation of wildlife corridors. These actions not only strengthen the ecological value of the forests but also ensure their long-term viability as natural carbon sinks—an essential aspect of mitigating climate change.
In addition to the environmental benefits, the initiative brings significant social and economic advantages to local communities. Small forest landowners will gain access to forestry management training, technical assistance, and the voluntary carbon credit market—enabling them to earn income while contributing to global climate action. The carbon credits generated under the project will be certified by the American Carbon Registry (ACR), a globally recognized carbon crediting body, ensuring the integrity and credibility of the offsets.
TotalEnergies plans to acquire all carbon credits generated by these projects. From 2030 onward, these credits will be used to voluntarily offset part of the company’s remaining Scope 1 and Scope 2 direct emissions, in alignment with its broader climate goals focused on emission reduction and carbon neutrality.
Adrien Henry, Vice President of Nature Based Solutions at TotalEnergies, emphasized the importance of the initiative by stating, “This partnership reflects our firm dedication to conserving and enhancing carbon sinks while delivering tangible benefits to local communities.” He further added that TotalEnergies is excited to back NativState in scaling up its efforts, which will generate both environmental and socio-economic value.
Stuart Allen, Founder and CEO of NativState, echoed this sentiment, expressing deep appreciation for the collaboration. “We are honored to work alongside TotalEnergies and our network of forest-owning families,” he said. “This partnership empowers landowners to adopt sustainable forestry methods, ensuring healthier landscapes and stronger communities that will thrive for generations.”
This collaboration highlights a growing trend in corporate environmental responsibility, where businesses like TotalEnergies are not only reducing emissions internally but also investing in natural climate solutions that generate long-term, community-centered impact.
