Tero Carbon

What Tero Carbon does

Tero Carbon is a Brazilian environmental asset certification body incorporated as Tero Carbon Avaliações e Certificações S.A., headquartered in Manaus, Amazonas. Founded in 2022 and operating with 1–10 employees, the company issues two classes of digital environmental assets — Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) representing one tonne of CO2 equivalent removed or avoided, and Verified Carbon Stock Units (VCSUs) representing verified carbon stock holdings — primarily for small-scale project developers in Brazil's Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector.

The core platform is built on the Polygon public blockchain, with Magic-powered Web3 wallets for asset custody and OpenSea-listed NFT certificates for each minting, transfer and retirement operation; all assets and operations are reported to the Climate Action Data Trust (CAD Trust). Tero Carbon owns seven proprietary methodologies (TERO.001–TERO.007) covering REDD+, APD, forest carbon stock, agrosilvipastoral systems, electric vehicles, ARR and agricultural land management, co-developed with Brazilian research institutions including CENA/USP. A network of accredited Validation/Verification Bodies (VVBs) provides independent auditing.

The company monetizes through certification service fees (validation, verification and issuance) and asset transaction registration fees (minting, transfer, retirement) under a published Tabela de Tarifas v2.1 (June 2025), targeting the long tail of Brazilian small-scale AFOLU developers and corporate carbon credit buyers via GEAP and Forestblock marketplace integrations. Programs v2.1 are aligned with Brazil's regulated carbon market (SBCE / Lei 15.042/2024) and ICROA/CORSIA standards, positioning the firm for the regulatory transition.

Name

Tero Carbon

Legal name

Tero Carbon Avaliações e Certificações S.A.

Website

https://terocarbon.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tero Carbon is a Brazilian environmental asset certification body issuing blockchain-registered Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) and Carbon Stock Units (VCSUs) for small-scale AFOLU project developers in Brazil, using locally developed methodologies aligned with the country's regulated carbon market.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Carbon Credit Certification

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Voluntary Carbon Credit Verification & Validation (VCS/Gold Standard/ACR/CAR) (EUABACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tokenization, Digital MRV-Linked Credits & On-Chain Carbon Infrastructure (Digital assets, provenance) (EUABAAAE), Methodology Development & Standard-Setting Support (Protocols, Tools, Updates) (EUABACAN), Carbon Accounting, Verification & Registry Services (MRV, Audits, Certification) (IMAMAJAE), Compliance Carbon Market Verification & Accreditation (EU ETS/UK ETS/California/Regional) (EUABACAB)

Keywords

• Carbon credit certification
• Environmental asset verification
• Blockchain carbon registry
• AFOLU methodology development
• Voluntary carbon market

Headquarters

HQ city

Manaus

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Certification Services: Tero Carbon charges service fees for project certification, including validation, verification, and issuance of VCUs and VCSUs. The fee schedule (Version 2.1, June 2025) covers certification services, methodology review and registration, and asset transaction registration (minting, transfer, retirement).
2. Asset Transaction Registration: Fees are charged for registering asset operations including token minting (cunhagem), transfer, and retirement (aposentadoria) on the Tero Platform, with costs outlined in the Tabela de Tarifas (Fee Schedule v2.1).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Tero Carbon is a Brazilian environmental asset certification body that validates, verifies, and issues Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) and Verified Carbon Stock Units (VCSUs) for small-scale AFOLU projects. It operates a proprietary digital platform (app.terocarbon.com) that registers projects, mints/retires carbon tokens on the Polygon blockchain, and integrates with global registries (CAD Trust, OpenSea). The company also develops and registers proprietary carbon quantification methodologies (TERO.001 through TERO.007) adapted to the Brazilian context.

Product overview

Tero Carbon is a Brazilian environmental asset certification body offering a three-program architecture: the Certification Program (governing project lifecycle from submission to VCU/VCSU issuance), the Methodologies Program (for developing and approving carbon quantification methodologies), and the Assets Program (for digital asset creation, management, and blockchain-based registration). These programs are supported by the Tero Platform — a digital certification and operations platform built on Polygon blockchain with Magic wallet integration — which enables project registration, VCU/VCSU minting, transfers, and retirement. Tero Carbon currently offers seven registered methodologies across NBS (TERO.001 REDD+, TERO.002 APD, TERO.003 Forest Carbon Stock, TERO.004 Agrosilvipastoral, TERO.006 ARR, TERO.007 ALM) and TBS (TERO.005 Electric Vehicles) categories, producing two asset classes (VCUs and VCSUs) issued as NFTs on Polygon, viewable on OpenSea and reported to CAD Trust. A network of accredited VVBs provides independent validation and verification. A new Integration API is under public consultation for marketplace connectivity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certification Program Master program that governs rules, processes, and lifecycle for certifying carbon projects that generate VCUs and VCSUs, including validation, third-party verification by accredited VVBs, and ongoing monitoring requirements aligned with international standards (ICROA) and Brazil's SBCE (Lei n.º 15.042/2024). For project developers and carbon market participants.
• Methodologies Program Governs the development, submission, review, and approval of carbon quantification methodologies for the Brazilian context, involving collaboration with universities (e.g., CENA/USP), research institutes, and businesses to ensure scientific rigor and local relevance.
• Assets Program Establishes principles for the creation, management, and registration of digital environmental assets (VCUs and VCSUs) on the Tero platform, ensuring integrity and traceability on Polygon blockchain in compliance with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
• Tero Platform Proprietary digital platform that facilitates project registration, operation tracking (minting, transfers, retirements), and integration with marketplaces and global registrars. Uses Polygon blockchain for public registration and Magic wallet technology for secure digital asset storage. Accessible via app.terocarbon.com.
• TERO.001 – REDD+ Methodology REDD+ (Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) methodology that quantifies forest carbon stocks and estimates avoided emissions from forest preservation, conservation, degraded area recovery, and reduced-impact logging, generating Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) for the voluntary carbon market.
• TERO.002 – APD (Avoided Planned Deforestation) Methodology Avoided Planned Deforestation (APD) methodology focused on the Amazon Biome, enabling the generation of verified carbon credits from preventing planned deforestation. Updated in v2.0 with tonne-per-year risk approach and enhanced safeguards.
• TERO.003 – Forest Carbon Stock Methodology Forest carbon stock methodology for the Brazilian Forest Biome, enabling generation of Verified Carbon Stock Units (VCSUs). Version 2.0 enhanced to meet green CPR (CPR Verde) market financial requirements and to generate carbon credits in APP and ARL areas.
• TERO.004 – Carbon Stock in Agrosilvopastoral System Methodology Agrosilvipastoral system carbon stock methodology, initially focused on Coffee cultivation across Brazil. Generates both Verified Carbon Stock Units (VCSUs) and Verified Carbon Units (VCUs), each representing one tonne of CO2 equivalent.
• TERO.005 – Electric Vehicle GHG Emission Reductions Methodology Technology-Based Solutions (TBS) methodology enabling carbon credit generation through progressive replacement of internal combustion vehicle fleets with electric vehicles, reducing GHG emissions from ground transportation.
• TERO.006 – ARR (Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation) Methodology Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) methodology, including generation of carbon credits in Permanent Preservation Areas (APP) and Legal Reserves (ARL) per Art. 46 of Lei n.º 15.042/2024. Uses buffer reserve for risk mitigation.
• TERO.007 – Agricultural Land Management (ALM) Methodology Agricultural Land Management (ALM) methodology co-developed with Hdom Consultoria Ambiental and CENA/USP. Provides technical guidelines for agricultural carbon reduction and removal projects, aligned with Brazilian legislation and international integrity standards (ICROA, ICAO/CORSIA).
• Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) Digital environmental assets representing one tonne of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) verified and issued by Tero Carbon, intended for offsetting/compensation purposes. Registered on Polygon blockchain with full traceability.
• Verified Carbon Stock Units (VCSUs) Digital environmental assets recognizing verified carbon stock holdings (one tonne CO2e equivalent), focused on the recognition of the environmental asset itself rather than offsetting, promoting transparency and avoiding greenwashing.
• VVB (Validation/Verification Body) Network Network of accredited Validation and Verification Bodies that conduct independent audits of carbon projects on behalf of Tero Carbon, ensuring compliance with international quality and credibility standards. Tero Carbon manages VVB selection and accreditation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,937 tCO2e generated by Eco Farm Santa Bárbara Coffee project (Vintage 2024)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Hdom Consultoria AmbientalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2025Hdom Consultoria Ambiental co-developed the TERO.007 – Agricultural Land Management (ALM) methodology with CENA/USP. Hdom is recognized for developing TERO.001 (REDD+), TERO.002 (APD), TERO.003 (Forest Carbon Stock), and TERO.006 (ARR) methodologies, demonstrating deep technical expertise in Brazilian carbon market methodologies.
• CENA/USP (Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura – Universidade de São Paulo)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2025CENA/USP co-developed the TERO.007 – Agricultural Land Management (ALM) methodology with Hdom Consultoria Ambiental, providing scientific rigor and excellence. CENA/USP researchers (Maria Gabriela da Silva Araújo and Luiz Antonio Martinelli) authored the Bayesian Methodology for Carbon Quantification introduced in TC-DC.CER.003 v1.2.
• ForestblockcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2025Tero Carbon and Forestblock signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for future integration of services, targeting Brazil and Argentina. Forestblock is an AI and blockchain-powered carbon management platform that connects emitters to verified compensation opportunities. The partnership aims to increase market liquidity and provide transparency and traceability in carbon credit transactions.
• GEAP (Global Environmental Asset Platform)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2024Tero Carbon and GEAP signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoU) for future service integration. GEAP is an electronic trading platform for carbon credits creating an organized market for environmental assets. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was subsequently formalized (March 2026) establishing structured flows for VCU registration, custody, transfer, and retirement on the Tero Platform, with a minimum 60-day exclusive listing on GEAP for commercialization.
• PolygoncoreTechnology or IntegrationPolygon is the public blockchain network used by Tero Carbon to record all project registrations and asset operations (minting, transfers, retirement). Every VCU and VCSU is registered on the Polygon blockchain, ensuring permanent, immutable, and publicly verifiable records with full traceability.
• MagiccoreTechnology or IntegrationMagic provides the digital wallet technology used on the Tero Platform for secure storage of cryptoassets (VCUs/VCSUs). Magic is recognized for its security certifications and enables Web3 wallet creation for users via email, facilitating secure and user-friendly access to the platform.
• OpenSeacoreTechnology or IntegrationOpenSea is the NFT marketplace where Tero Carbon's verification certificates are publicly viewable. Certificates for minting, transfer, and retirement operations are published as NFTs, providing non-custodial public access to asset history and authenticity verification.
• CAD Trust (Climate Action Data Trust)coreTechnology or IntegrationCAD Trust is the global centralized data repository to which all Tero Carbon assets and operations are reported. This integration makes Tero Carbon the only Brazilian certifier present in the international standards mapping and ensures global transparency and interoperability of certified assets.
• INPA (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia)majorOthersINPA (National Institute for Amazonian Research), linked to Brazil's Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, supports Tero Carbon through its business incubator (IE-INPA). This institutional backing strengthens the company's credibility in Amazon conservation and sustainability, and the incubator provides operational support for the startup.
• FIEAM (Federação das Indústrias do Estado do Amazonas)majorOthersFIEAM (Amazonas State Industry Federation) has issued a letter of support for Tero Carbon, recognizing its potential as a starting point for developing the carbon market in the Amazon region. FIEAM is part of the National Industry System (Sistema SENAI/SESI/FIEAM).
• ACA (Associação Comercial do Amazonas)minorOthersACA (Commercial Association of Amazonas) announced its support for Tero Carbon, recognizing the state's potential to become the main export base for carbon credits and endorsing Tero Carbon's role in this development.
• VB92 Launch HubminorOthersVB92 Launch Hub is a venture builder/accelerator that supports Tero Carbon, providing startup development resources and connections within the innovation ecosystem in Manaus/Amazonas.
• INCT – Madeiras da AmazôniaminorOthersPart of the supporter ecosystem of Tero Carbon, contributing to the research and development network supporting Amazonian timber and forest assets.
• Laboratório de Manejo Florestal do INPAcoreOthersListed as a VVB (Validation/Verification Body) in Tero Carbon's VVB Registry, specializing in forest management. Accredited for small-scale projects, it is led by Dr. Adriano Lima and operates from INPA's facilities.
• Arranjo de Microrregiões Produtivas da Amazônia Ocidental (ArranjoAMOci)minorOthersListed as a supporter of Tero Carbon, representing a network of productive micro-regions in the Western Amazon aimed at sustainable development.
• FAPEAM (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas)minorOthersFAPEAM, the Amazonas State research funding agency, is listed among Tero Carbon's supporters, indicating alignment with state-level scientific and technological development priorities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Plan Vivo: Plan Vivo is a carbon certification standard focused on community-led and smallholder land-use projects in low-income regions, with methodologies for AFOLU. It overlaps directly with Tero's target segment of small-scale, locally developed, community-impact-oriented Brazilian AFOLU projects.
• Puro.earth: Puro.earth operates a registry for carbon removal credits with a digital infrastructure and methodology framework that competes on tech-enabled transparency. As a blockchain-integrated registry with public methodology library, it is structurally similar to Tero's Polygon + NFT + CAD Trust stack.
• Climate Action Reserve: Climate Action Reserve is a U.S.-based carbon offset registry operating voluntary and compliance protocols for AFOLU and other sectors. As a standard-setter and registry, it is structurally analogous to Tero Carbon — both issue credits under proprietary methodologies and run VVB networks — though it operates in a more mature North American market.
• Gold Standard: Gold Standard is a leading voluntary carbon certification body recognized for high-integrity climate and sustainable development credits. Like Tero, it develops methodologies, certifies projects, and issues credits, but operates globally with broader market recognition — directly comparable on certification mechanics and integrity positioning.
• American Carbon Registry: American Carbon Registry is one of the oldest carbon credit registries globally, issuing credits across forestry, agriculture, and emissions reduction methodologies. It is comparable to Tero as a methodology developer and registry operator with regulated-market participation.
• Verra: Verra administers the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), the world's largest voluntary carbon credit program, and serves as the dominant global benchmark for AFOLU project certification. Tero Carbon competes for the same pool of Brazilian AFOLU developers and competes on the credibility, integrity, and transparency dimensions that buyers compare across standards.

Others

• South Pole Group: South Pole is a major carbon project developer and advisory firm rather than a certifier, but operates extensively in the Brazilian and Latin American AFOLU market. It is comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant that sources, develops, and retires carbon credits from Brazilian projects that Tero would otherwise certify.

Emerging players

• Pachama: Pachama is a digital carbon marketplace that combines satellite-based MRV, AI verification, and a marketplace for high-integrity credits. It overlaps with Tero in the digital MRV/registry domain and on the technology-integrity thesis, though its go-to-market is buyer-facing rather than developer-certification.
• Sylvera: Sylvera is a carbon credit ratings and analytics provider that assesses quality and integrity of voluntary carbon projects using satellite data and ML. As an integrity-focused infrastructure player in the voluntary carbon stack, it is comparable on the transparency/quality dimension Tero targets with its blockchain stack.

Broad incumbents

• SCS Global Services: SCS Global Services is a long-established third-party certification, auditing, and testing firm covering environmental, sustainability, and carbon claims. While much broader than Tero's AFOLU focus, it competes in the same third-party verification/audit services space for carbon and environmental assets.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/terocarbon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lotsappio
• Instagraminstagram.com/terocarbon

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tero Carbon