Together with the non-profit climate protection organization myclimate, Pina Earth is advancing the financing and implementation of nature-based solutions in German forests. The partnership enables companies to specifically support forest conversion projects in Germany – contributing to climate protection, biodiversity, and resilience right on their doorstep.
Through the collaboration with Pina Earth, myclimate expands its commitment to nature-based solutions in Germany.
Nature-based solutions are playing an increasingly central role in addressing the climate crisis. They leverage natural processes to sequester CO₂, protect ecosystems, and strengthen resilience against climate impacts. In Germany, there is an urgent need for action in forests: millions of hectares of weakened or dying monocultures of spruce or pine are barely able to adapt to increasing extreme weather events like heat, drought, or storms.
The transformation into diverse, climate-resilient mixed forests is a major nature-based lever for climate protection – and also a monumental task. The Thünen Institute estimates that up to €43 billion in investment is needed in Germany alone to make forests fit for the future. This process requires time, regional expertise, and strong partners.
myclimate has been committed to climate protection for over 20 years, including nature-based solutions in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. These include projects in peatland restoration, paludiculture, and agroforestry. Now, the non-profit climate organization is expanding its portfolio to include a forest conversion project with Pina Earth.
“Our forests are under tremendous pressure due to climate change. Monocultures of spruce or pine are particularly vulnerable to drought, storms, or pest infestations. That makes the transition to diverse mixed forests one of the most important climate protection measures for the coming decades,” says Susan Gille, Head of Nature-Based Solutions at myclimate.
Through their partnership, myclimate and Pina Earth combine their expertise for certified forest projects with regional impact in Germany. Pina Earth’s technology-driven approach enables precise and scalable calculation of the CO₂ impact of forest conversion through a digital simulation model. The projects are certified according to independent standards, such as the German Forest Climate Standard. Forest measures are regularly verified by external auditors like TÜV Nord. This creates a transparent and credible system that allows companies to purchase CO₂ certificates directly on-site.
“Strong and long-term partnerships help us drive climate protection in Germany effectively. We’re very pleased with myclimate’s commitment to supporting regional forest conversion in Brandenburg through the Herzfelde project, enabling companies to contribute to local climate action,” says Dr. Gesa Biermann, CEO of Pina Earth.
The first joint project by myclimate and Pina Earth is the forest adaptation in Herzfelde, Brandenburg. A former pine monoculture is being gradually transformed into a near-natural, climate-resilient mixed forest with over 10 tree species. Both natural regeneration and targeted planting are used. Especially noteworthy: the area borders wetlands with high biodiversity – rare species like the black stork and kingfisher also find habitat here. Thus, the project contributes not only to climate protection but also to regional biodiversity.
For Susan Gille of myclimate, the project is special in many ways: “In Herzfelde, forest management follows the principles of close-to-nature forestry. The diversity of tree species strengthens the forest’s adaptability to future climate conditions. At the same time, synergies arise for species and water protection – a true added value.”
With the support of Pina Earth and myclimate, the forest owner can effectively implement forest conversion on the site: “With this support, I can invest in a forester to professionally manage the stands and in horses to help with skidding, because mechanical harvesting causes a lot of damage. I can also leave more deadwood in the forest. These are all plans one can have when a strong partner has your back.” – Lorenz von Schintling-Horny, forest owner in the Herzfelde project.
Would you also like to contribute to the success of the project? Feel free to contact us at team@pina.earth!
