Karaganda Region, Kazakhstan
Large-scale afforestation in the Kazakh Uplands
Uplands Restoration is a long-term reforestation programme on degraded land, designed to establish diverse, climate-resilient forest patches and deliver high-quality carbon removals.
Project pillars
Restoration of degraded land
Planting is directed at land that has lost its former tree cover and productive capacity, returning it to functioning forest-steppe.
Biodiverse forest establishment
Mixed native species are established in patches rather than uniform blocks, rebuilding structure and habitat across the landscape.
Climate resilience
Species selection and planting design account for the continental climate of the Kazakh Uplands and the pressures expected over the project's life.
Carbon removal and storage
Growing forest removes carbon from the atmosphere and stores it in biomass and soils over a long project horizon.
Environmental and biodiversity benefits
Beyond carbon, the project supports soil stability, water retention and habitat for upland species.
Regional importance
The project contributes to landscape restoration capacity in Kazakhstan and the wider Central Asian region.
Carbon integrity
Developed for high-integrity carbon credits
Uplands is being developed as an Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation project under Verra’s VM0047 v1.1 methodology. Feasibility-stage modelling estimates approximately 10 million tCO2e of gross removals over the 40-year crediting period.
After expected deductions for uncertainty, the non-permanence buffer and other applicable adjustments, the Project is currently estimated to generate approximately 7.65 million Verified Carbon Units, or around 191,000 VCUs per year on average.
- VCS
- Verified Carbon Standard
- VM0047
- Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation of Degraded Lands
- CCB
- Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards
- ABACUS
- Targeted eligibility for the ABACUS Label
Validation is currently expected in 2027. First verification is currently expected in 2030. Estimates are based on feasibility-stage modelling and remain subject to validation, verification and applicable VCS deductions.