The rating places Misiones among the highest-integrity REDD+ initiatives worldwide, underpinned by a robust, transparent program design, conservative and rigorous carbon accounting, and strong adherence to internationally recognized environmental and social safeguards, including a comprehensive benefit sharing mechanism. This achievement sets a strong foundation for the province as it continues to advance its jurisdictional REDD+ Program, focusing on reducing deforestation, improving governance, incentivizing forest conservation and promoting sustainable development.
“Our province has a history of protecting its forests and biodiversity and has developed a Jurisdictional REDD+ program to monetize these efforts and results,”
said Adolfo Safran, Minister of Finance, Public Works and Services of the Misiones Government.
“This A–AA rating confirms that Misiones is doing things right—combining scientific rigor with rigorous social and environmental safeguards to ensure that reductions in emissions are of high integrity and meet best-in-class standards.”
With its proven governance framework and independent, high‑integrity rating, the Misiones Jurisdictional REDD+ Program is now positioned to become the first globally validated and verified under Verra’s JNR framework, and the first subnational program to register under a voluntary carbon market standard.
Building Momentum for Credible Climate Investment
As an investor in high-integrity carbon programs globally, Silvania is working alongside the Government of Misiones to help connect high integrity emission reductions from this program to the carbon markets.
“We’re proud to support Misiones with its goal to continue reducing deforestation through the implementation of a robust and comprehensive REDD+ program that includes an inclusive and equitable benefit sharing mechanism and safeguard information system,”
said Jessica Orrego, Natural Carbon Solutions Director for Silvania.
“This program demonstrates how this type of collaboration can scale climate impact while strengthening confidence in jurisdictional REDD+ programs.”
Building on this foundation, the Misiones Government will engage with Argentina’s National Government to secure the necessary authorizations enabling the Program to participate in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), established by the International Civil Aviation Organization to offset and reduce GHG emissions from international flights. Gaining access to compliance buyers will expand the reach and economic viability of the Program, bringing renewed investment into efforts to promote forest conservation and sustainable land use.
Protecting One of the World’s Most Vital Forests
In the far northeast of Argentina—bordering Brazil and Paraguay—Misiones is home to the Paraná Atlantic Forest, one of the planet’s most important biodiversity hotspots. The province contains over half of Argentina’s remaining native forest and harbors 52 percent of its biodiversity, including jaguars, tapirs, and endangered plant species found nowhere else on Earth. More than 100 local and Indigenous communities rely directly on these forests for their livelihoods, food, and cultural identity.
Over time, agricultural expansion and timber harvesting—both legal and illegal—have driven deforestation. In response, the provincial government established the Jurisdictional REDD+ Program, to enable coordinated reductions in deforestation while supporting communities and landowners.
The program focuses on strategic measures to curb deforestation, enhance forest monitoring and control, prevent fires, and create viable economic alternatives for those whose income once depended on clearing land.
Strengthening Trust in Forest Carbon Markets
Sylvera, the world’s leading carbon credit ratings platform, provides independent assessments of environmental integrity to bring transparency and accountability to carbon markets. Its evaluation found that the Misiones Jurisdictional REDD+ Program demonstrates exceptional integrity across carbon accounting, governance, and social safeguards—supported by a conservative baseline and robust monitoring and verification procedures.
“This program sets a benchmark for high-integrity jurisdictional REDD+ program design and implementation. Our A–AA pre-issuance rating reflects the program’s comprehensive approach to carbon accounting, robust governance frameworks, and commitment to environmental and social safeguards. It demonstrates that achieving both real climate impact and community benefit is not only possible, but becoming essential for building lasting confidence in forest carbon markets.,”
said Annalise Downey, VP Client Solutions at Sylvera.
The A–AA rating validates the strength of Misiones’ design and gives buyers and investors confidence that credits generated will represent genuine, durable emissions reductions and tangible benefits for nature and local communities.