The first project came from within our own portfolio: VP Landbouw planted two hectares of miscanthus – commonly known as elephant grass – with the goal of removing carbon from the atmosphere over a 10-year period. The initiative is certified by Oncra, a trusted framework for nature-based carbon removal.

We chose to support this project not just because of its strong ecological potential, but also because of its close link to our value chain. Initiatives that are closely linked to VP Capital activities have preference over projects that contribute to climate in general - making this a natural and integrated choice for our first contribution under the new model.

Next, we turned to innovation. We’re supporting three early-stage startups working on innovative carbon removal technologies through our existing donation partner, remove. These ventures were selected from remove’s accelerator programme, based on our own criteria and in consultation with the VP Capital impact team.

The three selected startups reflect a diverse range of geographies and approaches, each offering a unique perspective on durable carbon removal. Tivano, based in Namibia, specialises in biomass burial, which involves storing carbon by embedding plant material in dry desert soils with minimal ecological disturbance. In India, UrjanovaC is developing direct air capture technology that is applicable for industrial context and beyond. And in Rwanda, Vermifarm converts organic waste into high-quality biochar, enhancing soil health while sequestering carbon for the long term.

Although these companies still operate outside the conventional carbon credit market, their potential to make impact is clear. Supporting them at this early stage enables innovation where it’s most needed. Our contribution is solely aimed at supporting climate solutions, not driven by financial return or investment potential.

Lastly, we contributed to the Climate Transformation Fund managed by Milkywire, a highly respected impact firm that enables companies to support high-quality climate and nature-based solutions. The fund supports a broad range of interventions – from carbon removal and nature restoration to biodiversity protection – all selected through a rigorous quality assurance process.

Milkywire’s science-based, high integrity approach and high level of transparency were key in our decision. The fund also focuses on projects outside our direct value chain, allowing us to take broader responsibility for indirect emissions.