Scolel’te
Scolel’te means “the tree that grows” in Mayan Tzeltal language. This cooperative project goes way back to 1994 when our partner Ambio created the world’s first carbon project. For over two decades, with full agency on their land, communities in the mountains of Chiapas have been bringing about reforestation and the protection of biodiversity hotspots.
decades of carbon removal and biodiversity protection in the highlands of Chiapas
Led by AMBIO, a Mexican environmental non-profit cooperative. AMBIO smallholder farmers and regional and local organisations with a strong focus on farmer participation. Through reforestation, assisted natural regeneration and agroforestry the project restores degraded land and improves local smallholder livelihoods while increasing the region’s biodiversity and drawing down carbon into the ecosystem.
A key feature of Scolel’te is the protection of biosphere reserves it achieves. It operated across multiple Natural Protected Areas, helping safeguard landscapes such as the Selva El Ocote UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and areas near the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve.
Land area
101,725 ha
Project Status
Scaling
Participants
1681
Founding Partner & year
AMBIO cooperative
Certified Under
Plan Vivo Climate
TCO₂ – total verified carbon removal
1,233,172
Project Type
Reforestation/Afforestation, Agroforestry, Improved Land Management
Key Species
Mexican Cedar, Mahogany, Canshan, Guanocastle
How it works
The project is focussed on the temperate and tropical forests of Chiapas, Mexico. Small holder famers are engaged in reforestation and protection of biosphere reserves. Key decisions are made and implemented at community level, facilitated by Ambio’s strong network of community technicians. Over 60% of the small holder families are indigenous peoples of the Chiapas area.
The projects importance for biodiversity comes from it’s role in buffering and connecting biosphere reserves:
- Works in globally significant biodiversty hotspots like UNESCO recognised Selva El Ocote
- Strengthens ecological connectivity between protected areas through community managed forest corridors
- Reduces pressure on the core reserves by creating buffer zones of improved land use on surrounding smallholder farms
Of the 27 indigenous tree species associated with the project, 12 of them are endangered and on the IUCN Red List. They include Mahogany, Guanacastle and Canshan.
What Makes This Project Special
Scolel’te was recognised by the Initiativa Mexico Awards. The project was chosen as a national finalist from hundreds of local initiatives and showcased on national television. AMBIO also holds the Mexican National Forest Merit Award. It is a true pioneer project, the world’s earliest community led forest carbon project, providing the catalyst for the development of the foundations of voluntary carbon standards.
Creating Exceptional Indigenous Agency
Implemented by local Indigenous and rural communities in Chiapas, with farmers managing regeneration on their own lands, on their own terms while retaining very long term stewardship.
Farmer-centred benefit sharing
Under the Plan Vivo model, carbon revenues flow directly to participating families and community institutions, supporting local priorities and economic resilience.
High-biodiversity ecosystem protection
Works in the biologically rich highlands and cloud forests of southern Mexico, safeguarding habitats and watershed systems.
Long-term institutional continuity
Decades of operation have built strong local governance structures, technical expertise and trusted community relationships.
High-integrity certification
Certified under the Plan Vivo Foundation standard, ensuring verified carbon outcomes, social safeguards and transparent monitoring.
Project Challenges
- Deforestation
major concern in Chiapas where some 50% of the orignal forests are gone with remaining areas under continued threat from cattle ranching, fuelwood gathering and agricultural encroachment
- Climate Change
widespread drought can impact many areas in Chiapas leading to higher fire risk.
- Livelihood Pressure
70% of the population live in serious poverty and farmers often depend on short-term survival strategies like clearing land
Project Documentation
For a transparent overview of the project’s progress and impact, the latest annual report
is available for download.
Full technical documentation, including the Verification Statement and Project Design Document (PDD), is available to all partners through the dedicated Client Hub.