Nonprofit Carbon Offset Program That Also Fights Global Poverty

Ani Matamosi

Along with around 30 other fabulous women from eight mataqali (clans) in the Drawa Rainforest Carbon Project, Ani is running a honey business in Batiri village, Fiji, set up with income from carbon credits.

Ani says "We women are really happy about this beekeeping business because for some of us, only our husband earns money and beekeeping has enabled us to earn money ... we learn not only to take care of bees but also to be business minded. It has boosted our confidence and self-esteem to engage more in income generating activities, so we want to keep our business alive."

Staluzi and Gerald Muhindo

Country: Uganda
Village: Maliba
Trees Planted: 400
Climate Benefit: 203.4 tonnes of CO2
Earnings as of 3/13/18: $485.92
Total Expected Earnings: $607.40
Livelihood Benefits: House construction, school fees.

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Richard’s enterprise is called Beneco and it’s one of over 30 throughout Uganda which supply seedlings to Ecotrust’s Trees for Global Benefits project. His nursery has 8 full-time and 30 seasonal employees.

Richard Akora

Owner, Beneco Seedling Nursery

Country: Uganda
Village: Maliba

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In 2012, Oliva became a participant of Ecotrust Uganda’s Trees for Global Benefits project. She lives in the Maliba community of Western Uganda’s Kasese district, and she’s planted 400 trees which are sequestering an estimated 203.4 tonnes of CO2.

Oliva is projected to earn $610.40 from TGB. In this interview, you’ll learn how she uses those earnings, as well as about her children and grandchildren, one of her favorite ways to relax, what “MIFA” stands for, how she lost some of her trees, and how her community views firewood thieves!

Oliva Nyirazuba

Country: Uganda
Village: Maliba
Trees Planted: 400
Climate Benefit: 203.4 tonnes of CO2
Earnings as of 3/13/18: $186.18
Total Expected Earnings: $610.40
Livelihood Benefits: School fees for children.

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May The Forest Be With You... @COTAP visits India's Khasi Hills, where an #indigenous-owned carbon-credit-driven project is protecting forests and cutting energy & emissions with both electric and propane (LPG) alternatives to wood burning. https://t.co/37Q1v7nzLz #cleancooking

— Andrew Revkin 🌎 ✍🏼 🪕 ☮️ (@Revkin) February 9, 2023

"1000% Better. Stunned."

"I searched for hours to find a quality carbon offsetting site for individuals. Now that I have found COTAP I'm stunned. This is 1000% better than I dared hope for - for the quality of results you chase, for the wonderful projects you support, for the brilliant information about your projects, and for your accessible ways for individuals to purchase offsets. I've encouraged my friends to use you too. Thanks for all that you do!"

David Rosenfeld
London, United Kingdom

"An Awesome Organization"

"COTAP is an awesome organization and we use them to offset our entire company's carbon emissions every year! They do great work and also help alleviate poverty, I couldn't be more proud of them."

Ben Fox
Co-Founder, World Wide Web Hosting, LLC
Boulder, CO

"Increasing My Impact"

"The issue of global inequality and poverty in the developing world is truly one of the greatest challenges facing humanity today. At the same time, the impact that people are having on our environment threatens the longevity not just of humankind, but of our planet. COTAP empowers me to magnify my impact by addressing both issues at the same time."

Louis Perwien
Washington, D.C.

Anastazia Solomon
Country: Malawi
Village: Mkokamwendo
Trees Planted: 467 over 1 ha & 800-meters boundary plantings
Climate Benefit: 193 tonnes of CO2
Earnings To Date: $360
Total Expected Earnings: $600
Livelihood Benefits: Children's school fees, home improvements, pig farming

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"Real, Measurable Change On Two Fronts"

"COTAP empowers me to make positive change in multiple communities around the world while counteracting my contribution to the long-term, ‘macro’ problem of climate change. It's real, measurable change on two fronts, and that makes COTAP very innovative and unique. COTAP's the wave of the future and I want to see it grow to reach more donors and communities."

Shay O'Reilly
Oakland, California

"A Simple, Effective Solution"

"COTAP is the solution for my carbon footprint that I can't erase on my own. Their process couldn't be more simple, and not only am I able to offset my carbon footprint, I am having a direct, positive, measurable impact on reducing poverty. What more could I ask for?"

Paige Hamack
Seattle, Washington

"Big Up to COTAP"

"The North American leg of the #FLYRASTA tour will start soon. Big up to Carbon Offsets To Alleviate Poverty (COTAP) for helping us offset our carbon footprint while we're on the road. We still have to do more. #ThankMotherEarth"

Ziggy Marley
Grammy Winning Musician
Earth
More at COTAP.org/Ziggy.

"A great way to do the right thing."

"Climate change and poverty are daunting challenges and COTAP is a great way to have a meaningful, measurable impact on both. The IPCC report states that we need to get to 600 lbs/CO2/person/year to keep warming under two degrees. So, I'm taking action towards becoming carbon neutral by driving an electric car, flying less, and offsetting my CO2 to address what I'm unable to eliminate. I choose COTAP because it's more meaningful, transparent, simple, and fun... and because it's a great investment in future generations!"

Matt Hollingsworth
Microsoft Technical Specialist
Santa Monica, CA

"Truly unique and innovative."

"COTAP is the only organization that I’m aware of that directly connects the climate change and global poverty issues. It is a truly unique and innovative platform."

Ted Holman
San Francisco, CA

Beatrice Ahimbisibwe
Country: Uganda
Community: Bitereko
Trees Planted: 1,400
Total Earnings To Date: $1,831
Livelihood Benefits: New house, furniture, children's school fees, invested in building a new school

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Maria Elisa Gonzales
Country: Nicaragua
Community: La Grecia
Trees Planted: 3,167
Total Earnings To Date: $754.22
Total Expected Earnings: $2,026.69
Livelihood Benefits: Food, clothing, children's school supplies

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Marcelino Arostegui Mendosa
Country: Nicaragua
Community: Morcillo
Trees Planted: 2,917
Total Earnings To Date: $446.24
Total Expected Earnings: $1,711.13
Livelihood Benefits: Tools for farm repairs, extra food and supplies, fuelwood

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"Great Program"

"Great program for those that care about a livable world that we are borrowing from our kids and grandkids."

Tim Reckmeyer
Microsoft Technical Account Manager
Minneapolis, MN

"More Everything."

"COTAP's about way more than climate change and carbon offsetting, because they address economic inequality too. They're more global, transparent, and accountable than other offset providers, and most charities in general. They're a refreshingly positive antidote to the always-negative and disempowering national climate conversation. COTAP's also compelling because they properly contextualize themselves with regards to the need for footprint reduction, and how they fit in with California's progressive policies like the Climate Credit and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard."

Josh Chesler
Long Beach, CA

Get FREE MERCH When You Submit a Testimonial

Existing customers can submit 50-100 word testimonials (this blurb is 61 words to give you an idea) sharing things like why you've offset your emissions with us, what you like about COTAP, and how you think we're different, better, etc. Email to testimonial at cotap dot org and we'll send you your choice of MERCH (U.S. only and while supplies last).

Musingo Mikhaya
Country: Uganda
Village: Bukusu
Trees Planted: 330
Climate Benefit: 178.4 tonnes of CO2
Earnings To Date: $142
Total Expected Earnings: $472
Livelihood Benefits: Healthcare costs, children's school fees, supported livestock farming, transport of farm produce to markets

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Dorothy Nthala
Country: Malawi
Village: Tchale
Trees Planted: 600 over 1800-meters boundary plantings
Climate Benefit: 147 tonnes of CO2
Earnings To Date: $381
Total Expected Earnings: $685
Livelihood Benefits: Corrugated iron roof for her house, improved soil fertility, fuel wood, poles for tobacco curing sheds

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Daniel Mukhwana
Country: Uganda
Village: Bumbo
Trees Planted: 799 via dispersed interplantings over 4 hectares
Climate Benefit: 475.6 tonnes of CO2
Earnings To Date: $378
Total Expected Earnings: $1260
Livelihood Benefits: Children's school fees, improved soil quality, shade for coffee crop

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"Making an Impact"

"COTAP's model is unique in that it recognizes the link between poverty and climate change and allows individuals to offset their carbon footprint whilst supporting projects that use innovative ways to build sustainable livelihoods for their communities."

Eva Schoof
Edinburgh, UK

Maate Zaverio
Country: Uganda
Village: Maliba
Trees Planted: 800
Climate Benefit: 406.8 tonnes of CO2
Earnings as of 3/13/18: $976.60
Total Expected Earnings: $1,220.80
Livelihood Benefits: School fees for children, medical bills.

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Winfred Musimenta
Country: Uganda
Village: Kichwamba
Trees Planted: 480
Climate Benefit: 203.4 tonnes of CO2
Earnings To Date: $427
Total Expected Earnings: $610.40
Livelihood Benefits: Student nutrition from crop trees including mango, avocado, and jackfruit. Shade.

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Beatrice Tibamwenda
Country: Uganda
Village: Rubirizi
Trees Planted: 400
Climate Benefit: 203.4 tonnes of CO2
Earnings as of 3/9/18: $304.60
Total Expected Earnings: $610.40
Livelihood Benefits: School fees for grandchildren, medical bills for children.

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Khasi Hills Community REDD+ Project

Trees for Global Benefits Community Reforestation

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Testimonials & Beneficiary Profiles