Plan Vivo was born out of a desire to help smallholders Chiapas, Mexico, plant trees and generate the world's first carbon credits. Since then, Plan Vivo has used its ideology and network of stakeholders to evolve into a system that can help provide environmental and social benefits to communities around the world. See below for some of the more-notable dates along our journey.

 

 

1994- Plan Vivo concept is born

The concept of Plan Vivo is born in through a desire to help communities plant trees in Chiapas, Mexico. The project, called Scolel'te, is achieved through a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, other local partners.

 

1997- World's first VCM carbon credits created

Through planting trees, the Scolel'te project generates the world's first carbon credits on the Voluntary Carbon Market! These are sold to organisations such as the World Bank. This also represents the world's first Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) project.

 

1998- Plan Vivo managed by BioClimate

The Plan Vivo system begins being managed independently by the non-profit BioClimate Research & Development. This ensures that other environmental and social projects can apply to become Plan Vivo-certified and generate Plan Vivo Certificates.

 

2001/2002- First Plan Vivo Standard created

A proto-Standard is created through a document that both gives guidance on how to develop projects and also lists requirements that projects are expected to meet and how these can be audited. The focus is on tree-planting, community projects in the global south.

 

2004- Second Plan Vivo Standard created

A second Standard is released through a standalone document that detailed the minimum requirements that projects must meet to become Plan Vivo-certified. This ensured that any projects that joined provide real, tangible benefits to both the environment and communities in the global south.

2008- Third Plan Vivo Standard created

The Standard is improved upon to make it more accessible, largely through permitting REDD/conservation projects to obtain certification, and to increase clarity. This results in a number of new project applications.

 

2009- Plan Vivo Foundation formed

Plan Vivo Foundation, a charity registered in Scotland, is formed to take over management of the Plan Vivo system. BioClimate redefines its role to focus on assisting organisations to develop Plan Vivo projects.

 

2009- Plan Vivo Certificates registered on Markit

Plan Vivo Certificates are registered on the Markit Environmental Registry. This ensures that the Certificates are generated, transacted and retired whilst providing transparency and preventing double-counting.

 

2009- First conservation project

The Khasi Hills Project, based in India, becomes the first Plan Vivo-Certified REDD project aimed at conserving the previously-degrading community forestry.

 

2013- Fourth Plan Vivo Standard created

The Standard is improved upon, primarily through a greater emphasis on sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity.

 

2014- World's first Blue Carbon project

The Plan Vivo-certified Mikoko Pamoja becomes the world's first Blue Carbon project by receiving Plan Vivo Certificates for the conservation of its mangrove forests. The project later goes on to win a UN Equator Prize award.

 

2014- Ten projects registered

Due to a recent surge in project applications, REDD+ in the Yaeda Valley (Tanzania) becomes the 10th Plan Vivo-certified project. The Plan Vivo family continues to grow...

 

2014- One million Plan Vivo Certificates

1 million Plan Vivo Certificates have now been issued, each one providing benefits to communities in global south. This represents 1 million tonnes of CO2 that will be sequestered or mitigated.

 

2016- First soil restoration project

The Pastures, Conservation and Climate Action project, supporting nomadic tribes in Mongolia, becomes the first Plan Vivo-certified soil restoration project.

 

2019- Twenty projects registered

New projects continue to apply and the Rarakau Project, supporting native Maori tribes in New Zealand, becomes the 20th Plan Vivo-certified project. The Plan Vivo family continues to grow...

 

2020- Three million Plan Vivo Certificates

3 million Plan Vivo Certificates have now been issued, each one providing benefits to communities in global south. This represents 3 million tonnes of CO2 that will be sequestered or mitigated.

 

2021- Five million Plan Vivo Certificates

5 million Plan Vivo Certificates have now been issued, each one providing benefits to communities in the global south. This represents 5 million tonnes of CO2 that will be sequestered or mitigated. 

   

 

2022- Fifth version of the Plan Vivo Standard (v5.0)

The Standard is improved upon, including clearer guidelines around technical issues, ensuring wider access to funding for Plan Vivo projects. 

  

2022- Plan Vivo releases SDG Impact Report

Plan Vivo recently releases a report entitled 'Plan Vivo projects and their impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)'. This comprehensive report analyses 21 of the 27 Plan Vivo certified projects. It findings reveal that Plan Vivo certified projects contribute to (on average) an astounding 11 SDGs each.

 

2022- Seven million Plan Vivo Certificates

7 million Plan Vivo Certificates have now been issued, each one providing benefits to communities in the global south. This represents 7 million tonnes of CO2 that will be sequestered or mitigated. 

     

2023- 28 projects registered

Plan Vivo now has 28 registered projects spanning Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. The Plan Vivo family continues to grow...

  

How to be part of our future

We are growing fast, but not fast enough to stop the climate and biodiversity emergency that communities are facing around the world. Tackle this with us:

Register a project  Donate  Partner with us