Grupo Argos Foundation and the accelerator Terraformation have launched their carbon credit project for ecosystem restoration in Colombia

• The carbon credit mechanism certifies the capture of tons of CO2e through actions such as the restoration of native forests.
• In total, 1,150 hectares are being restored, where 2.3 million trees from 88 native species will be planted to rehabilitate the soil over the next 40 years.
• A total of 34 conservation agreements have been signed.

Grupo Argos Foundation, in partnership with the global organization Terraformation, has launched the operation of its carbon credit project, aimed at accelerating ecological restoration in Colombia and contributing to climate change mitigation through large-scale carbon capture.

The project will be implemented across 1,150 hectares, where 2.3 million trees from 88 native species will be planted, contributing to the restoration of strategic ecosystems in the southwestern region of Antioquia, northern Caldas, and eastern Chocó. The initiative will enable the generation of certified carbon credits, offering an innovative alternative for emissions offsetting and promoting private sector engagement in the transition toward a low-carbon economy.

“Ecological restoration is a key tool in the fight against climate change and for sustainable development. With this project, we are not only promoting carbon capture, but also strengthening the social fabric and encouraging the responsible use of land.”

María Camila Villegas
Executive Director
Grupo Argos Foundation

More than just a financial instrument, this mechanism represents a key tool for territorial transformation, as it drives large-scale ecological restoration, creates economic opportunities for over 30 landowners—including private individuals, public entities, and rural communities—and contributes to effective action in advancing Colombia’s environmental efforts.

A restoration model with environmental and social impact

The project is expected to capture approximately 9.6 tons of CO2e per year, potentially generating over 438,000 carbon credits.

This partnership between the Grupo Argos Foundation and Terraformation combines advanced technological solutions with a science-based approach to ecological restoration. The project includes the strengthening of community nurseries, with the potential to generate up to 1,300 green jobs—both direct and indirect—in the communities where the planting activities will take place.

This initiative aligns with the ongoing efforts led by the Foundation in collaboration with Odinsa, the La Pintada Concession, and other public and private stakeholders in the Southwestern region of Antioquia through the Cartama Sostenible Alliance, which for more than four years has focused on protecting water sources, creating biodiversity corridors, and mitigating climate change.