What It Means to Be a REDD+ Project Developer: The Go Balance Approach
Delivering Climate Impact and Community Benefits in Borba, Amazonas
As pressure builds on the voluntary carbon market to deliver more transparent, credible outcomes, the role of a REDD+ project developer has never been more important. At Go Balance, we see this responsibility as far more than just emissions accounting — it’s about creating verifiable impact for both climate and community. Through our work on the Trocano Araretama Project in the Municipality of Borba, deep in the Amazonas region of Brazil, we’re demonstrating what high-integrity REDD+ development truly looks like on the ground.
Building More Than Carbon Credits
The label “REDD+ project developer” often suggests technical forestry work or carbon quantification — and while those are certainly an important part of the process, our role goes far deeper. At Go Balance, our development model is rooted in local partnerships, scientific credibility, and long-term commitments that ensure community ownership and measurable results.
Our role is not just to develop projects, but to ensure those projects remain effective, equitable, and environmentally sound over time.
Working in Partnership with the Municipality of Borba
One of the foundations of our work is a formal agreement with the Municipality of Borba, which establishes a strong basis for collaboration and implementation and local governance structure for the Trocano Araretama Project. This partnership is not symbolic — it is active, ongoing, and participatory.
From the outset, the municipality has been directly involved in the shaping of project priorities, benefit distribution, and community engagement strategies. This ensures transparency at every stage and creates a local framework for accountability and shared value.
Science-Driven, People-Focused
What makes Go Balance’s approach distinct is the integration of cutting-edge geospatial science with on-the-ground collaboration. Using satellite-based biomass analysis, spatial risk mapping, and rigorous carbon accounting standards, we provide the technical foundation required to quantify emissions reductions accurately and consistently.
But scientific rigour only goes so far without the human element. That’s why we pair every technical component with real-world implementation — such as:
- Sustainable composting workshops to reduce waste and improve food resilience
- Health initiatives for women and families, such as the recent Women’s Health and Wellbeing event
- Environmental education activities to foster long-term stewardship
- Emergency response training, including fire brigade support to protect forests and communities
These activities reflect our belief that carbon projects must serve people as much as they serve the planet.
This was the first time many of us had received training like this in our own community,” said a representative of the Rural Women’s Association. “The composting course was more than just technical learning — it gave us practical skills we can apply immediately to improve our soil, crops, and livelihoods. We’re grateful for the Trocano Araretama Project’s commitment to sustainable development.
To see how these initiatives are playing out in the field, read our latest update on community-led benefits in Borba.
Integrity in REDD+ Project Development
For Go Balance, the Municipality of Borba, and the wider Trocano Araretama Project, integrity is not simply a guiding value — it is a shared commitment embedded in every stage of the project’s design, implementation, and long-term operation. It means:
- Transparent community initiatives, with participation and engagement carefully documented and monitored over time.
- Full respect for community land use and livelihoods, ensuring that project activities do not disrupt traditional practices or the everyday lives of local residents.
- Ongoing dialogue with community members, supported by open and accessible channels for feedback, questions, and participation.
- Collaboration with trusted local organisations to co-design and deliver community initiatives, ensuring cultural relevance, strong local ownership, and shared responsibility for outcomes.
- A formal partnership grounded in mutual accountability, enabling active municipal participation in project implementation.
- Independent third-party validation and verification, aligned with internationally recognised standards.
- A conservative, science-led approach to credit issuance, using risk-based adjustments to maintain credibility and prevent over-crediting.
Our Natural Capital Credits, issued under the Trocano Project, are designed to reflect these principles — representing a more responsible and community-rooted path for REDD+ development in high-risk forest regions such as Borba, Amazonas.
A Developer’s Responsibility Doesn’t End with Verification
For Go Balance, being a REDD+ project developer is not a short-term role. It means maintaining an active presence in the project area, responding to community feedback, adapting to emerging challenges, and continuously improving project outcomes.
With each day that the project continues in Borba, we strengthen the relationship between the forest, its people, and the long-term sustainability of the Trocano Araretama Project.
To learn more about Go Balance and our work as a REDD+ project developer in Amazonas, visit our Project Overview page or contact us directly.
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