GenZero and Trafigura Announce US$100M Expansion
Date: 11/11/2024
Removals Reimagined
Brújula Verde integrates mixed-species afforestation, reforestation, advanced digital MRV, and purpose-built forestry infrastructure to deliver high-integrity carbon removals in Colombia’s Orinoco region, alongside meaningful social progress.
RATED ‘AA.PRE’ BY BEZERO
Among the top 4% of rated ARR projects globally
- The project was assigned an ‘AA.pre’ ex ante rating with low project execution risk by BeZero Carbon in November 2025, indicating a high likelihood of achieving its carbon removal claims.
- InverBosques is one of the largest private employers in Vichada, generating over 700 direct and indirect jobs for local communities. The Vichada Department has one of the highest Multidimensional Poverty Indices in Colombia, exasperated by its low infrastructure access.
- Operating exclusively on historically degraded lands impacted by recurrent fires, extensive grazing, and desertification, the project is driving development and ecosystem services recovery in the region, supported by a state-of-the-art nursery with capacity for up to 20 million seedlings per year and more than 15 species in production.
Brújula Verde is a landscape-scale afforestation and reforestation initiative, designed to deliver high-integrity carbon removals while setting a new benchmark for high-quality ARR in tropical ecosystems.
Located in Colombia’s Vichada Department on lands degraded by decades of extractive cattle ranching and fire, the project combines scientific rigor, inclusive land stewardship, and pioneering digital tools projected to recover ecosystem services over 30,000 hectares of a mosaic landscape.
Restoring Vichada:
A mixed-species project supporting socioeconomic development
-
Located in Vichada, one of the poorest departments in Colombia, with poverty levels estimated to be ~70% higher than the national average (DANE, 2025).
-
Supporting regional development through employment generation and long-term environmental and social resilience.
-
Recovering degraded land using a mosaic approach.
-
Implemented by InverBosques, an experienced Colombian forest manager in Vichada with a 15+ year track record.
-
Well regarded by local indigenous communities, providing strong social benefits.
-
Applying global best practices through FSC certification.
Scroll down
To explore
To explore
General location
Brújula Verde Project
Vichada, Colombia
ID: GS – 23254
Current project area: 20,000 ha
Potential area: up to 30,000 ha
Estimated carbon removals for 20,000 ha: 15,705,813 Net Emissions Removals (Net C Stock change)
12,564,650 Tradable Emissions Removals (VERs)
Los Laureles: First large-scale plantation in Brújula Verde established in 2024, covering 250 hectares planted entirely with native species.
Bita Basin:
A basin classified as RAMSAR importance with high biodiversity and degraded over time due to wildfires and cattle ranching.
Las Bonitas:
Operational hub for the project, hosting the largest nursery in Colombia. Equipped with advanced technology and research facilities for the production of more than 15 high-quality tree species, with an annual capacity of up to 20 million seedlings.
Puerto Carreño:
Capital of Vichada, one of Colombia’s most isolated cities. With roughly 20,000 inhabitants in a department of over 100,000 km2. Located more than 800 km from the capital Bogotá and accessible mainly by air or river.
La Esmeralda:
A small hamlet within the municipality of Puerto Carreño, located near Las Bonitas and home to fewer than 200 residents, has become a key social partner of the project. The project has supported the community through the establishment of a boarding school and improvements in sanitation infrastructure including potable water.
Los Laureles: First large-scale plantation in Brújula Verde established in 2024, covering 250 hectares planted entirely with native species.
Bita Basin:
A basin classified as RAMSAR importance with high biodiversity and degraded over time due to wildfires and cattle ranching.
Las Bonitas:
Operational hub for the project, hosting the largest nursery in Colombia. Equipped with advanced technology and research facilities for the production of more than 15 high-quality tree species, with an annual capacity of up to 20 million seedlings.
Puerto Carreño:
Capital of Vichada, one of Colombia’s most isolated cities. With roughly 20,000 inhabitants in a department of over 100,000 km2. Located more than 800 km from the capital Bogotá and accessible mainly by air or river.
La Esmeralda:
A small hamlet within the municipality of Puerto Carreño, located near Las Bonitas and home to fewer than 200 residents, has become a key social partner of the project. The project has supported the community through the establishment of a boarding school and improvements in sanitation infrastructure including potable water.
Timeline & Key Facts
Building a Sustainable Legacy
2019
-
FSC Certification Achieved
InverBosques obtains FSC certification and is later designated as a SLIMF (Small and Low Intensity Managed Forest), confirming its commitment to responsible, sustainable forestry practices.
2022
-
Nursery & Infrastructure Expansion
Major expansion of the nursery and supporting infrastructure to enable large-scale planting of up to 10,000 hectares per year.
2023
-
First Trees Planted for Phase 1
Planting begins on the ground with 5,211 ha achieved in the first year.
2024
-
Enrichment Activities with Native Species
First enrichment activities, introducing native species within the initial planted areas to enhance biodiversity.
-
10,000-Hectare Milestone Reached
Completion of the first 10,000 hectares planted, over 12 million trees established on historically degraded land.
-
First Native Species Planted for Phase 2
Initiation of native species planting under Phase 2, covering 10,000 hectares to further strengthen soil restoration efforts.
2025
-
IFC Performance Standard
IFC Performance Standards 1 and 6 implemented to ensure best-practice environmental and social safeguards.
-
Project Expansion
A strategic partnership established with GenZero and Trafigura to support the project’s expansion toward its 30,000-hectare target.
-
Gold Standard Submission
Formal submission of the project for registration under the Gold Standard ARR methodology.
2026
-
First Carbon Credits Delivered
Brújula Verde is on track to issue its first Gold Standard carbon credits, delivering high-integrity removals and verified community and biodiversity benefits.
In the absence of the project, land management in the area is typically characterized by regular, cyclical burning carried out by local farmers to maintain open grasslands and low-input cattle grazing systems.
These recurrent fires limit natural forest regeneration, degrade soil structure and organic matter, and reinforce a long-term grassland state with low ecological and productive value. As documented for the project region, fire is a persistent management practice rather than an exceptional event, contributing to ongoing land degradation and constraining alternative land and ecosystem services recovery pathways.
eDNA Soil Biodiversity Monitoring
As part of the biodiversity monitoring program, the project has partnered with NatureMetrics to establish a baseline for soil biodiversity using environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis. This baseline provides a reference to track changes in soil biological communities as restoration activities progress. Since 2023, more than 50 soil samples have been analyzed, allowing the project to monitor biodiversity dynamics and evaluate ecological improvements relative to the historically degraded baseline conditions caused by recurrent fires associated with both natural processes and human activities.
Enrichment Approach.
- Soils in Vichada are highly degraded.
- Eucalyptus as a species are proven to kick start and restore functionality.
- Over time through active and passive technical, forests regenerate and species mix is enhanced to generate a permanent forest for the long term.
DOCUMENTED SOIL DEGRADATION
DEGRADATION QUANTIFIED IN THE FIELD
FROM MANY VARIABLES TO THE RIGHT INDICATORS
A MEASURABLE RECOVERY TRAJECTORY
Best in Class
dMRV
The project leverages best-in-class Digital Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (dMRV) technology, integrating high-resolution RGB imagery (less than 10 cm) with LiDAR to capture both detailed canopy characteristics and three-dimensional forest structure. This advanced monitoring system enables the establishment of a robust baseline and supports highly accurate, transparent, and reliable carbon estimations, ensuring rigorous tracking of project performance.
Monitoring species
Brújula Verde’s project biodiversity was assessed through a combination of baseline studies, field campaigns, and ongoing monitoring programs within the project’s Area of Influence.
The assessment integrates primary data collected during field surveys with secondary information from scientific databases and literature to characterise habitats and species composition. Field campaigns documented multiple taxonomic groups, including flora, birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, fungi, and invertebrates, while additional monitoring programs track key indicators such as bird populations, terrestrial mammals, aquatic ecosystems, and landscape connectivity.
These studies support the identification of sensitive species and habitats, the evaluation of ecological conditions, and the development of biodiversity management and conservation strategies aligned with IFC Performance Standard 6 requirements.
Community
& Co-Benefits
The Brújula Verde Project contributes to social development in Vichada, one of Colombia’s most remote and underserved departments. Through its presence in the territory, the project works alongside local communities to support initiatives that strengthen access to basic services, education, and opportunities, helping address long-standing structural challenges in the department.
Beyond reforestation and carbon removal, the initiative contributes to improving living conditions in nearby communities. Through social programs, community engagement, and local capacity building, the project promotes inclusion, empowerment, and participation among community members.
By integrating climate action with social investment, Brújula Verde supports more resilient communities and contributes to long-term development in Vichada.
Resources
PDD – Preliminary Review
Date: 24/04/2025 – type: pdf
FSC certification
Date: 26/11/2024 – type: pdf
BeZero Rating
Date: 15/11/2025 – type: pdf
Lidar technology
Lorem Ipsum
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Donec odio. Quisque volutpat mattis eros. Nullam malesuada erat ut turpis. Suspendisse urna nibh viverra non semper suscipit posuere a pede.
• Aliquam tincidunt mauris eu risus.
• Vestibulum auctor dapibus neque.
• Nunc dignissim risus id metus.
• Cras ornare tristique elit.
Micro-stories
Beyond Reforestation: Expanding Opportunities in La Esmeralda
In the heart of La Esmeralda, distance has long shaped everyday life. Access to safe drinking water and reliable internet was not guaranteed, it was a challenge.
As part of its social component, InverBosques, which operates the Brújula Verde Project for Trafigura and GenZero, is strengthening essential community infrastructure, beginning with a suitable learning environment for children.
La Esmeralda Boarding School is the only educational facility available to children from the community and surrounding areas. It faces significant challenges. Until recently, there was no access to safe drinking water or reliable internet connection.
Through its presence in the region and social management initiatives, a new water purification system now provides safe drinking water daily, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases and improving overall well-being. Also, the installation of a Starlink antenna has brought stable connectivity, enabling students to access educational resources and maintain communication with parents, whom they may not see for months.
By linking environmental restoration with social impact, these projects help communities protect their surroundings while expanding opportunities for the future.
Micro-stories
Círculo de Mujeres: Empowering Women, Strengthening Communities
Círculo de Mujeres is a social initiative designed for women employed by the company and women from neighboring communities. It is a participatory and formative space that fosters dialogue, mutual support, and collective growth.
Through monthly gatherings, women come together in an environment built on trust and respect. These sessions combine participatory, pedagogical, and experiential methodologies. Topics such as identity, self-esteem, life planning, gender roles, and equality are explored in ways that promote self-awareness and empowerment.
Círculo de Mujeres creates opportunities for women to share tools that improve their personal, family, social, and economic conditions, empowering them to shape their own paths and support one another along the way.
Micro-stories
Miguel Ángel’s story: Thriving Beyond Limitations
In La Esmeralda, a place where geography shapes possibility, determination makes the difference.
Miguel Ángel Subieta, 22, was born and raised in the community. He attended La Esmeralda Boarding School until ninth grade, but to complete high school he had to move to Puerto Carreño, a town four hours away. Like many young people from the region, continuing his education meant leaving home.
He graduated during lockdown, hoping to pursue higher education through a scholarship. When that path was not possible, he chose another route. Miguel began an associates degree in multimedia production virtually, despite limited internet access. To attend classes, he relied on internet cafés and prepaid WiFi pins. He also faced an initial disadvantage: limited exposure to technology in the past meant learning basic digital skills from scratch.
Determined to keep moving forward, he later began a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, continuing his studies online. One year ago, Miguel joined InverBosques communications team and he brings a special and deep connection to the territory. Since then, he has grown professionally while continuing his degree. Today, he is a fundamental part of the team reflecting how talent and discipline, when supported with opportunity, can thrive beyond limitations.