EcoMakala–Virunga Reforestation Carbon Project (DR Congo)
Retire verified Gold Standard carbon credits from this project to compensate measured emissions.
This page is for companies looking to retire high-quality, Gold Standard–certified carbon credits from a named reforestation project. EcoMakala is a WWF-led programme that has reforested around Virunga National Park in eastern DR Congo while supplying sustainable wood-energy. Evertreen acts as an intermediary: we source and retire these credits on your behalf and do not own or operate the project. One credit = one tonne of CO₂e, independently verified — and an estimate, not an exact measurement.
At a Glance
- Project type: Reforestation + sustainable wood-energy (carbon credits)
- Standard: Gold Standard
- Location: North Kivu, around Virunga National Park, DR Congo
- Developer: WWF (with CO2logic)
- Scale: ~10,000 ha reforested · 5,000+ small-scale tree planters trained
- Co-benefits: Protects mountain-gorilla habitat; cuts household charcoal use by ~50%; sustainable charcoal + efficient cookstoves
- Verification: Gold Standard certified, independently verified
- Evertreen's role: Intermediary — credit retirement available through Evertreen (we do not own or operate the project)
Who this project is for
EcoMakala credits suit sustainability and procurement leads who want to compensate measured emissions through a well-known conservation-linked reforestation project — particularly buyers who value biodiversity co-benefits (Virunga, mountain gorillas) alongside verified carbon.
What EcoMakala–Virunga is
EcoMakala is a reforestation and sustainable wood-energy programme led by WWF (with CO2logic) on community land around Virunga National Park in North Kivu, eastern DR Congo. It has reforested on the order of 10,000 hectares, trained thousands of small-scale tree planters, and aims to reduce pressure on Virunga's forests by supplying sustainably produced charcoal ("makala") and promoting efficient cookstoves — cutting household charcoal use by around half. The restored woodland protects habitat for mountain gorillas and other wildlife.
What a carbon credit from this project represents
One credit = one tonne of CO₂e. A verified carbon credit represents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent removed or avoided, independently verified under the Gold Standard. CO₂ figures are estimates based on the project's methodology, not exact measurements.
How it is certified and tracked
EcoMakala–Virunga is certified under the Gold Standard and independently verified. Each issued credit carries a unique serial number and is retired in the Gold Standard registry when claimed. (Confirm the current Gold Standard project ID and vintage on the live registry before purchase.)
How double counting is prevented
Each credit has a unique serial number and is retired only once in the Gold Standard registry when it is claimed, so the same tonne of CO₂e cannot be sold or counted twice.
Why this is a high-quality carbon project
- Gold Standard certified and independently verified
- Led by a globally recognised conservation organisation (WWF)
- Strong biodiversity co-benefits — Virunga, mountain-gorilla habitat
- Reduces pressure on protected forest via sustainable wood-energy
- Named developer (WWF / CO2logic), with Evertreen as a transparent intermediary
Evertreen's role
Evertreen acts as an intermediary for this project. We source Gold Standard credits from EcoMakala–Virunga and retire them on your behalf. Evertreen does not own or operate the project. Credits are independently verified estimates of CO₂e and complement — they do not replace — reducing your own emissions.
What your company can claim
After Evertreen retires EcoMakala credits on your behalf, your organisation can state that it has retired verified Gold Standard carbon credits to compensate a measured quantity of CO₂e, supported by the retirement documentation we provide. We do not overstate permanence or additionality, and present credits as a complement to cutting your own emissions.
Frequently asked questions
What is a carbon credit?
A verified carbon credit represents one tonne of CO₂e removed or avoided. Retiring it lets you compensate a measured quantity of your emissions. Credits are estimates based on an approved methodology.
Is EcoMakala–Virunga Gold Standard certified?
Yes. The reforestation project is registered as a Gold Standard certified project and is independently verified.
How is it verified and double counting prevented?
It is third-party verified under the Gold Standard; each credit has a unique serial number and is retired once in the Gold Standard registry, so the same tonne can't be counted twice.
What can my company claim after retirement?
That it retired verified Gold Standard credits to compensate measured CO₂e. Credits complement, and don't replace, reducing your own emissions.
Does Evertreen own the project?
No. EcoMakala is led by WWF (with CO2logic). Evertreen is an intermediary that sources and retires the credits on your behalf.
What are the co-benefits?
Mountain-gorilla habitat protection around Virunga, reduced pressure on protected forest, and local wood-energy livelihoods.
Retire EcoMakala–Virunga credits. Tell us the tonnes of CO₂e you need to compensate and Evertreen will source and retire Gold Standard credits on your behalf.
- Gold Standard certified
- WWF-led conservation co-benefits
- Retired on your behalf
- Evertreen acts as intermediary
Reviewed by Evertreen. Last updated: June 2026.
Sources: WWF / CO2logic, EcoMakala, Gold Standard registry. Photo: Cai Tjeenk Willink (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons).
Part of Evertreen's Verified Carbon Credits for Business.
