Improving
Smallholder
Livelihoods

Acorn partners with organizations that have a trusted relationship with smallholder farmers and are committed to agroforestry and innovative projects in the voluntary carbon market. Partners must meet the following conditions:
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- Legal right to sell Carbon Removal Units without restrictions.
- Project includes new or existing agroforestry (trees planted within the last 5 years).
- No deforestation in the project area in the last 5 years.
- No current sales of carbon credits or monetization of CO2 sequestration.
- Each farmer cultivates between 0.1 and 10 hectares.
- Local engagement and capacity to sustain the project for at least 20 years.
- Proof of land tenure for each farmer.
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Preferred project coordinators include NGOs, farmers’ co-ops, trading companies, and governments. For a detailed checklist, please refer to the Acorn Framework.

To purchase carbon credits through Acorn, you can contact our sales team at sales@acorn.earth. They will guide you through the purchasing process, including pricing, payment options, and any necessary documentation.

Acorn ensures the integrity of its carbon credits through rigorous methodologies and adherence to established standards. This includes regular monitoring, verification, and reporting of carbon sequestration activities, as well as alignment with ICROA's criteria for transparency and accuracy.

Acorn credits are based on actual CO2 stored in planted trees, rather than on the prevention of emissions, which is common in many other carbon credit programs. Acorn units are sold after the fact, meaning they are issued only after the trees have already converted CO2 into biomass. We utilize remote sensing technology, such as satellite imagery, to accurately measure the stored CO2 on a smallholder farmer’s land. This program emphasizes the realized removal of CO2 (often referred to as ‘ex post’), and because we measure the amount removed from the atmosphere, we refer to them as carbon removal units rather than carbon credits. This approach not only ensures environmental integrity but also provides direct economic benefits to local farmers, fostering sustainable development in their communities.

No, Acorn is not directly endorsed by ICROA. However, it is certified by a standard that is endorsed by ICROA.ICROA endorsements are specifically for carbon crediting programs managed by standard bodies. Since Acorn is not a standard body, it cannot apply for ICROA endorsement directly.In July 2022, Plan Vivo received endorsement for its latest Standard version 5.0. Acorn’s Methodology and Framework update 2.0 will align with ICROA's rigorous criteria to ensure transparency, accuracy, and environmental integrity.