In 2014, ProNar agents carried out a first field mission to identify an area of approximately 70,000 hectares. This was followed by a second mission in 2020 with the Ministry of Forest Economy and the Ministry of Land Affairs and Domain Public to liaise and investigate with the local authorities to define the specific borders of the 70,000 hectares area.

Developing a 40,000-hectare (99.000-acre) forest in the Republic of Congo that will sequester 500,000 tons of carbon per year. Development of natural carbon sinks in Africa. These activities build on the priority initiatives taken by the Group to avoid and reduce emissions, in line with its ambition to get to net zero by 2050. Total has claimed the credits will be accredited under the Verified Carbon Standard scheme. 40 million trees will be planted in total over 10 years and cared for over 35 years

Developing a 40,000-hectare (99.000-acre) forest in the Republic of Congo that will sequester 500,000 tons of carbon per year. Development of natural carbon sinks in Africa. These activities build on the priority initiatives taken by the Group to avoid and reduce emissions, in line with its ambition to get to net zero by 2050. Total has claimed the credits will be accredited under the Verified Carbon Standard scheme. 40 million trees will be planted in total over 10 years and cared for over 35 years. The planting of 38,000 ha over 10 years and 2,000 ha of agroforestry schemes managed with the local communities.

The Congolese government held a ceremony in November 2021 (“cérémonie du franc symbolique”), to mark the launch of the project, including the change to the right of use and the consequent socio-economic development of the area.

2,000 ha of acacia/manioc agroforestry schemes managed with the local community.

"Batéké Carbon Sink" project

"Batéké Carbon Sink" - BaCaSi project

TotalEnergies (previously known as Total). TotalEnergies’ partner in its Batéké Plateaux offset is the French timber consultancy Forêt Ressources Management (FRM), which provides technical support and guidance to logging and agriculture companies working in the Congo Basin. While FRM will supervise the project, the entity that holds the lease is called Forest Neutral Congo (FNC). The estimated cost of $230m over the life of the project – includes agroforestry practices developed with local communities for agricultural production and sustainable wood energy.

TotalEnergies (previously known as Total). TotalEnergies’ partner in its Batéké Plateaux offset is the French timber consultancy Forêt Ressources Management (FRM), which provides technical support and guidance to logging and agriculture companies working in the Congo Basin. While FRM will supervise the project, the entity that holds the lease is called Forest Neutral Congo (FNC). The estimated cost of $230m over the life of the project – includes agroforestry practices developed with local communities for agricultural production and sustainable wood energy. The BaCaSi project is an ambitious partnership between, Forêt Ressources Management, a Frenchcompany, with its Congolese subsidiary Forest Neutral Congo(FNC) and the Republic of the Congo.

Local farmers say they can no longer afford to send children to school after the oil giant’s 40,000 hectare tree plantation barred them from their fields In a joint statement, Total and FRM said work was underway to “establish a complete picture” of the people who had been affected by the project, and to offer them “appropriate remediation” for “negative impacts”. will identify a remediation action plan, including livelihood restoration measures that comply with international standards. Results will be complete and made public in 2023.

Local farmers say they can no longer afford to send children to school after the oil giant’s 40,000 hectare tree plantation barred them from their fields. In March 2022, TENBS and FNC launched an assessment to identify the project’s potential impacts and mitigate negative impacts that could not be reduced. This will establish a complete picture of those who are affected by the project in the overall project area (55,000 ha) and will identify a remediation action plan, including livelihood restoration measures that comply with international standards. Results will be complete and made public in 2023.'' Loss of access to forests: They were prevented from accessing the forests, which were crucial for their sustenance and food gathering. The indigenous communities affected by the BaCaSi project faced the following issues (source 5): Displacement and loss of livelihoods: They lost the ability to carry out agricultural and gathering activities, affecting their food security and economic stability. Inadequate working conditions: The promised job opportunities were limited and did not meet expectations, and there was a lack of formal contracts. Lack of consultation and informed consent: They were not adequately consulted before the project's implementation, leading to a sense of injustice.

Compensation was promised to those displaced by the BaCaSi project. TotalEnergies stated that all stakeholders historically present on the site would be offered alternatives for future farming rotations, including prepared lands or other appropriate remediation. However, during a field mission in March 2023, affected farmers reported that they had not received compensation for their loss of income and access to land (page 17 of source: 5 - "Carbon offsetting at the cost of human rights").

The organizations that have intervened to collaborate with the communities affected by the BaCaSi project include (source: 5 - "Carbon offsetting at the cost of human rights"): - Secours Catholique – Caritas France: This organization has worked on collecting data and testimonies to better understand the realities of the people affected by the BaCaSi project​​. - Commission Justice et Paix (DCJP): They have collaborated with Secours Catholique to document the experiences of the communities and develop recommendations based on their demands​​. - Comité Catholique contre la Faim et pour le Développement - Terre Solidaire (CCFD-Terre Solidaire): They have worked alongside the other organizations to amplify the voices of the affected communities and advocate for their rights

The employment opportunities will allow a strong involvement of women in this project.

Employment and Gender Disparity: The BaCaSi project highlighted job opportunities, particularly emphasizing the involvement of women and indigenous populations. However, the reality showed a significant gap between promises and actual job creation. For instance, only seventeen indigenous individuals were hired in March 2023, and many indigenous women hired on the planting site did not have formal employment contracts despite working for about a year​. Challenges for Women Farmers: Family farming in the Batéké Plateaux, primarily carried out by women, was severely affected. Women who grew cassava, groundnut, and yam faced loss of livelihoods due to the project's land use changes​. (pages 14 and 23 source: 5 - "Carbon offsetting at the cost of human rights").

limited transparency from FRM about the plantation. Not to be confused with Total Energies other deal in DRC for BaCaSi project (#9812).

limited transparency from FRM about the plantation.