US-based Forest investment firm EFM and technology giant Meta on Tuesday finalized a pioneering long-term contract to deliver 676,000 nature-based carbon removal credits through 2035, supporting the transition of 68,000 acres of forestland to climate-smart management in Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.
According to a statement, the agreement is expected to remove more than 1 million tonnes of carbon emissions over the next decade, marking a significant step in leveraging carbon finance for sustainable forestry.
The initiative blends revenue from carbon credits and conservation easements with traditional forest product sales, allowing for improved timber stock regeneration, higher-value log production and enhanced environmental benefits, including salmon habitat restoration and recreational opportunities.
Innovative Carbon Finance Approach
Meta’s early commitment catalyzed a novel financial structure, enabling EFM to incorporate carbon revenue considerations in investment decisions.
Unlike traditional models where carbon credits are sold post-acquisition, this contract was negotiated in parallel with the property’s purchase, reflecting a growing sophistication in forestry-based carbon finance.
“This long-term contract allows us to manage forests for their highest societal value — supporting timber production, wildlife conservation, tribal partnerships and carbon sequestration,” said Bettina von Hagen, CEO of EFM. “We appreciate Meta’s commitment to high-quality carbon projects and their recognition of forests’ role in climate mitigation.”
Meta’s carbon strategy aligns with its goal of achieving net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2030. “Our approach focuses on reducing emissions and supporting high-impact removal projects,” said Tracy Johns, Carbon Removal Lead at Meta. “EFM’s track record in sustainable forestry made them an ideal partner for this initiative.”
Scaling the Impact of Climate-Smart Forestry
The Olympic Rainforest, located adjacent to the Olympic National Park, is a coastal temperate rainforest historically used for commercial timber production. EFM’s transition plan, backed by the newly formed Olympic Rainforest LLC and investments from Climate Asset Management’s Natural Capital Fund, aims to nearly double timber stocks over 15 years while enhancing forest health and biodiversity.
“This acquisition exemplifies how innovative financial structures can enable large-scale nature-based investments,” said Martin Berg, CEO of Climate Asset Management. “We remain committed to driving climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.”
The initiative also enhances conservation efforts, creating a 150-mile corridor from Hood Canal to the Pacific Coast, supporting endangered species and restoring Pacific salmon populations.
Given the land’s cultural significance to the Quileute and Hoh tribes, collaboration opportunities include wildlife management and ecological restoration.
Public access and recreation are also key components, and plans are underway to improve connectivity to major trail systems and national parks.
“The Olympic Rainforest property is crucial for salmon conservation, linking spawning streams to the ocean,” said Guido Rahr, CEO of Wild Salmon Center. “We look forward to scaling our restoration impact on these lands.”
With this landmark agreement, EFM and Meta are setting a precedent for climate-smart forestry, demonstrating how corporate partnerships can drive sustainable land management while delivering meaningful climate, ecological and community benefits.
