The opinions expressed here by Trellis expert contributors are their own, not those of Trellis.​

We might forget it, but it’s true: By absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, the world’s forests and oceans shield us from the consequences of our emissions.

Indigenous peoples have long known this and have managed their land for generations by protecting and restoring the world’s natural carbon sinks to mitigate the environmental crisis. 

As more companies wake up to this fact, they’re recognizing the need to develop nature-based projects and programs on ancestral lands with the input of the community. So much so that key features of inclusive nature-based projects and programs are emerging, providing pathways for companies to promote equitable engagement.

Prioritizing community engagement 

It’s estimated that 54 percent of the world’s intact forests are on Indigenous lands storing vast carbon stocks. For generations, people from these communities have used their extensive land management expertise to restore and replenish the environment. 

It’s obvious, but I think it needs saying: The best nature-based projects and programs are those which invite people with the deepest knowledge of a local environment to the decision-making table. Without their expertise, initiatives are more likely to fail. And if Indigenous peoples and traditional and local communities are excluded, projects will face social and reputational risks, too.

When these communities are properly included, the outcomes are stronger and longer-lasting. Programs can only endure if local people feel a genuine sense of ownership and see clear benefits tied to their development priorities.

For example, I recently spoke with colleagues at Silvania’s Race to Belem campaign, who are working with the Brazilian state of Tocantins to establish a state-level effort to curb deforestation. They made it clear that the involvement of Indigenous peoples, local communities and smallholder farmers was critical for success. They’ve discussed proposed revenue sharing and spending with those communities and the program will invest a percentage of its profits in sustainable livelihoods.

Community credentials count

Corporate buyers increasingly deploy internal teams and third-party experts to assess project integrity and flag risks. But up-front diligence is only part of the picture.

While early assessments often focus on the technical quality of emissions reductions and carbon accounting, buyers are placing a growing emphasis on a project or program’s social credentials — how it engages communities, protects rights and shares revenues. After contracts are signed, however, oversight often relies on developer reports or informal feedback. That’s not a reliable basis for managing risk or ensuring accountability.

In response, some companies are beginning to use tools from human rights and supply chain audits in carbon projects and programs. For example, companies such as Microsoft and Salesforce have started including third-party verification, stakeholder engagement and safeguards for Indigenous rights in their carbon credit investment agreements. These approaches reflect a growing understanding that durable, high-integrity outcomes require independent, ongoing oversight, particularly when it comes to community engagement and revenue sharing.

Many corporate buyers would welcome clearer and more consistent reporting formats for nature-based projects and programs. They want transparency around how revenues are distributed, how co