TASC

28/01/2026

South Africa’s grasslands set a global benchmark for community-led carbon markets

A major milestone for high-integrity, nature-based carbon!! 📢

TASC has issued the first Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB)-labelled carbon credits under Verra's VM0042 methodology, through our Grassland Restoration and Stewardship in South Africa (GRASS) project.

What this issuance represents:
🧾 266,255 verified carbon credits issued
🌾 95,364 hectares of communal grasslands under improved management
💼 Nearly 300 jobs created, 25% of them for women
🤝 4,000 communal farmers provided with market access
💰 An additional R5.5 million generated for farmers through improved market access

Developed with Meat Naturally Africa, the project combines regenerative grazing, fire management, and market access, with carbon revenues flowing back through a community trust to strengthen rural livelihoods.

GRASS was the first project registered under VM0042 and its success in the communal landscape has spilled over into the commercial sector, expanding to include a second project instance integrating commercial farmers.

Today, GRASS is one of the largest grassland restoration initiatives globally:
✔️ 605,000+ hectares of communal rangeland under management
✔️ An additional 360,000 hectares across 100+ private farmers integrated into the project
✔️ More than 10,000 small-scale farmers engaged
✔️ Close to 900 jobs created, with 30% held by women
✔️ Generated a further R56.4 million through livestock and wool markets

With a pathway to 2 million hectares by 2030, GRASS shows what carbon can deliver when climate, nature, and communities are built in by design.

To our partners - we did it! ✨

A huge thank you to Meat Naturally Africa for your expertise and partnership, and to the communities and farmers whose stewardship makes this work possible. This milestone belongs to all of you.


Click the links below to find out more or contact us:
🔗 https://tasc.je/2023/03/22/regenerative-grazing-in-south-africa/
✉️[email protected]

14/01/2026

We’re back! 🌍✨

As we shake off holiday mode and ease back into work, we want to take a moment to say a genuine thank you.

Over 2025, multiple companies, groups, and individuals made substantial purchases of TASC carbon credits via the Gold Standard Marketplace - and the impact of that support has been meaningful.

Thank you for backing , climate action. We see you, and we appreciate you.

These purchases directly support:
🍳 Improved Cookstove projects in Zambia and Zimbabwe
💧 Safe Water projects in Uganda

Together, they help deliver cleaner cooking, access to safe water, reduced emissions, and on-the-ground benefits for the communities involved.

If you’re looking to start 2026 by turning good intentions into real impact, credits from our Uganda Safe Water project are still available - follow the link below: https://marketplace.goldstandard.org/products/tasc-safe-water-systems-for-rural-uganda?_pos=1&_psq=uganda&_ss=e&_v=1.0

From all of us at TASC, we hope you had a restful festive season, and we wish you a happy 2026. 🌱

14/01/2026

TASC recently featured in Standard Bank Group BLUE Magazine.

The article unpacks something we talk about a lot at TASC, and something we believe is essential, yet not always visible in carbon projects: the ability to deliver high-integrity climate projects that create real community impact all while being investable.

Beyond what carbon projects deliver on paper, the article also dives into the less visible (but critical) side of the work that often gets overlooked:
💰 The challenge of upfront financing - and why it remains one of the biggest barriers to scale
🔍 Robust monitoring, verification, and community engagement - the backbone of credibility and trust
🔗 Innovative financing structures - enabling projects to grow without compromising integrity

If you’re curious about where climate finance, development, and carbon markets actually meet, grab a cup of coffee and have a read - this one’s worth your time.

👉 Read the full article here: https://bluemag.standardbank.com/blue_magazine_vol_3/0035.html

22/12/2025

That’s a wrap on 2025… 🎬

We can safely say (as we do every year) — that was a crazy year in the carbon markets!

But it was also one of momentum and meaningful progress. Globally, we saw:
🔹 Many countries advancing Article 6 readiness and laying foundations for cross-border cooperation.
🔹 CORSIA gaining traction, with frameworks and eligibility pathways emerging.
🔹 A continued shift toward including both carbon removals and reductions in corporate and government climate strategies.
🔹 Integrity becoming central to market conversations.

At TASC, what stood out most for us was the momentum building in African carbon markets. Across the continent, 2025 marked a transition from aspiration to action — not just participation, but purposeful engagement:

🌍 Broad participation across Africa
Many African countries are actively engaged in carbon markets, with emerging frameworks, pilot systems, and policy dialogues aimed at unlocking finance and expanding participation.

📜 Article 6 frameworks advancing
Countries including Ghana have released operationalised Article 6 frameworks, while others like South Africa and Zambia released draft frameworks or readiness plans.

🤝 Bilateral cooperation & agreements
Across the continent, there is increasing bilateral engagement — from Article 6 cooperation arrangements to memoranda of understanding with international partners — laying the groundwork for ITMOs and regulated trading.

✈️ CORSIA & credit issuances
Several countries have developed and issued CORSIA and Article 6-aligned credits.

Taken together, these actions reveal an important shift: no longer is Africa simply participating in carbon markets but rather it is rising as a crucial player.

To echo our CEO, Shelley Estcourt, speaking in The Green Agenda Magazine (Issue 12): “At TASC, we see this as Africa’s moment to grasp with both hands. A combination of abundant natural resources, a young and entrepreneurial population, and growing institutional maturity positions the continent to be a global carbon leader.”

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the continent’s direction is clear: build systems that are equitable, credible, and aligned with real climate and development outcomes.

From all of us at TASC, we are wishing you all a happy festive season and we look forward to seeing you again in the new year.

09/12/2025

The holiday season is well and truly upon us — marked by half-empty offices, deadlines magically shifting to January, and that familiar festive buzz in the air. 🎄✨

And for many of us… the annual question returns: “What on earth do I get people this year?”

If you’re tired of gifting the same old items destined for a dusty corner — why not change it up with something that actually makes a difference?

This season, give a gift that gives back.

Our clean cooking and safe water projects are live on the Gold Standard Marketplace, making it easier than ever to support and change lives at the same time.

Explore our projects on the Gold Standard Marketplace here:
🍳 Improved Cookstoves | Zambia: https://marketplace.goldstandard.org/products/tasc-improved-cookstoves-rural-zambia
💧 Safe Water Systems | Uganda: https://marketplace.goldstandard.org/products/tasc-safe-water-systems-for-rural-uganda

Over 21 million people in Uganda are living without basic access to clean drinking water. The vast majority of people rely on water boiling to purify their water and prevent water borne diseases like diarrhoea, typhoid, and cholera. TASC has financed the distribution of 30,000 Purifaaya ceramic wate...

05/12/2025

Picking up from the introduction to the TASC Foundation… this week, we get into the exciting part: the projects themselves! ✨

Across Southern Africa, the Foundation’s mission is clear: 🏘️ Empower communities | 📚 Build skills | 💛 Reduce poverty | 📈 Help start-ups grow… all while caring for the environment. 🌿

But where and how does all this happen?

We acknowledge attention spans are short and project descriptions are long, so here’s your quick-fire tour of the Foundation’s projects:

📍Kruger 2 Canyons (K2C) Biosphere
💻Sand River Digital Hub – Expands digital access with community Wi-Fi hubs, digital skills training, and support for local micro-businesses.
🥕 Phalakubeni Access to Markets – Provides cold-chain + transport support so smallholder farmers can sell fresh produce into bigger, better-paying markets.
♻️ London Waste Beneficiation Centre – Builds a community-led recycling micro-economy through training reclaimers, improved sorting, and diverting significant waste from landfills.
🎁 Kulani-in-a-Box – Helps women artisans reach higher-value markets with improved product design, sustainable packaging, and e-commerce readiness.
🛒 Hoedspruit Farmers Market – Establishes a permanent shop + online store so local producers can earn more stable, reliable income.

📍Waterberg Region
🌳 Bush Clearing & Community Agroforestry – Restores degraded grasslands by removing invasive bush and creates new agroforestry-based livelihood opportunities.

📍Drakensberg Escarpment
🥩 Community Abattoir Feasibility Study – Explores developing a local abattoir to restore lost market access for communal farmers affected by disease restrictions.
🏃‍♂️ Running for Rangelands – Supports the Meat Naturally Africa community team competing in Run the Berg to raise awareness for regenerative rangeland management.

📍Zambia
📚 Sausage Tree Charity – Strengthens rural education in the Luangwa Valley with school upgrades, bursaries, teacher support, and essential learning materials.

A quick run-through, yes… but each of these projects carries real impact, real stories, and real people behind them. To find out for yourself, click the link 👉 https://tasc.je/our-foundation/

25/11/2025

We've heard a lot about "high integrity" in carbon markets, but what about over conservativeness? 🤔

In this thought-provoking piece in Reuters on the state of the carbon market, it rightly highlights the crucial reforms boosting integrity but also sounds the alarm on becoming too conservative.

Featured in this article is our very own co-founder, Nick Marshall. He notes that while new methodologies are vital, if they over-correct with excessive discounts, they risk making many high-integrity projects commercially unviable. The goal must be accuracy, not blunt conservativeness.

At TASC, we see this balance as the central challenge. We're building projects that meet the highest standards of integrity and deliver measurable community impact, because the market needs both to scale.

🔗Read the full piece by Ben Payton here:

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

31/10/2025

A week on from CMAS2025 and we can finally catch our breath and reflect on an incredible event! It is safe to say it was a real success. 🥳 Well done to the VUKA Group for all their efforts, it really paid off.

TASC had the privilege of not only sponsoring the event but also being involved in a lot of the insightful conversation, presentations, and in the case of our newest team member, Cameron, plenty of note taking. 😉 From exploring the foundations of carbon markets to hearing from national governments on Article 6 developments, and diving deep into the path forward for Africa’s carbon future, the sessions were as thought-provoking as they were inspiring.

A quick overview of the speeches given by our team:

✨ Dr Storm Patel delivered a powerful keynote alongside key decision-makers. She highlighted the impacts of TASC’s projects not only for the environment but also for the people at the heart of them using real stories from the field. Closing with practical steps to help strengthen Article 6 implementation.

🌱 Dr Lize Kok presented on TASC’s Grassland Restoration and Stewardship in South Africa (GRASS) Project, spotlighting how the projects work and their benefits for both the communal and private farmers. These include, upskilling communities, providing better market access for rural farmers, increasing yields while restoring ecosystems, amongst others.

💡 Nick Marshall co-hosted a workshop on Building Investment-Ready Carbon Projects, offering insights on project design, attracting investment, and navigating the turbulent environment that is project development.

🔥 Dr Edwin Cogho participated in the Energy & Cookstoves Dialogue, sharing perspectives on the evolution of clean energy markets, offering insights into the future of the market and how we can foster inclusive development.

A huge congratulations to everyone involved in the conference. What an incredible week of discussion, learning, and connecting (and an even better excuse to bring the TASC team together from far and wide).

Already looking forward to the next Carbon Markets Africa Summit 🌍

22/10/2025

CMAS2025 is now in full swing 🌍🌟

What an impactful and insightful start it has been. From carbon 101 yesterday providing a general overview of key features of the carbon market to impactful keynote addresses focusing on scaling the carbon market in Africa. 💡

This morning TASC’s Commercial Director, Storm Patel delivered a key note on seizing Africa’s carbon moment. In her presentation she emphasized the power of carbon projects and the impact it has on communities. Using powerful anecdotes from the field to illustrate this. She spoke of thousands of people in Zambia gathering, singing and cheering for a cookstove issuance in their area to farmers experiencing improved wool yields, shorter weaning periods, and healthier livestock.

If you are attending CMAS, let’s connect! Come find us at our booth during one of the refreshment breaks to discuss the power of carbon projects in Africa. 🌟

29/09/2025

🔊Big announcement…

It is with immense pride that for the second year running, TASC accepts the award for Best Project Developer: Energy Efficiency in the Voluntary Carbon Market.🏆An award hosted by Environmental Finance.

At TASC we pride ourselves in making a difference with unwavering commitment and dedication to our projects, and most importantly, the people it supports. So far, our energy efficiency projects have reached 1,220,000 households. Recognition of this kind serves as fuel to keep going and pushing boundaries. Thank you to everyone who voted for us, your support inspires us to keep raising the bar.

If you are interested to explore our energy efficiency projects, click the links below:
🟢 Zambia cookstove credits for purchase: https://marketplace.goldstandard.org/collections/projects/products/tasc-improved-cookstoves-rural-zambia
🟠Uganda water filters for purchase: https://marketplace.goldstandard.org/collections/projects/products/tasc-safe-water-systems-for-rural-uganda
🔴 Zimbabwe cookstoves: https://registry.goldstandard.org/projects/details/3634
🟡 South African cookstoves: https://registry.verra.org/app/projectDetail/VCS/2505

Details of the award provided in the link below:
https://www.environmental-finance.com/content/awards/voluntary-carbon-market-rankings-2025/

29/09/2025

Lize Kok, the Nature-Based solutions Portfolio Manager at TASC recently attended the Agri Eastern Cape Congress and shared her thoughts below:

Opening this year’s Agri Eastern Cape congress, Ps Pieter Nel's inspiring message resonated deeply: "Courage is action in the face of uncertainty"

The theme of this year's congress was "Your Footprint in Agriculture", where I had the privilege of presenting on TASC's Grassland Restoration and Stewardship in South Africa (GRASS) carbon project.

In a room filled with passionate stewards of the land, representing 97 farmer's associations, I shared how our approach to regenerative grazing is not only working to restore ecological balance but actively drawing down carbon through adaptive planned grazing with a holistic decision making framework. It’s a footprint we’re proud to leave - one that regenerates rather than depletes.

It was energizing to connect with farmers and a good reminder of what living in tune with nature in the midst of life's uncertainties is about.
Grateful for the opportunity to represent our team and to be part of a growing movement that recognizes agriculture as a vital solution to modern day challenges.

18/09/2025

TASC recently hosted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the Grassland Restoration and Stewardship in South Africa (GRASS - PI2) project working with the commercial farming sector.

The AGM served as an important platform to:
- Provide a progress report on verification, timelines, and logistics from the TASC team.
- Receive feedback directly from implementing farmers on both successes, learnings, and ongoing challenges.

The sense of shared purpose was evident throughout the day, spurring on a strong sense of community and comradery. Discussions highlighted not only project milestones but also the real impact on the ground, and some of the challenges still to overcome.

Highlights from the AGM came from two of our project farmers, Hannes and Stefan, talking on the positive outcomes they have experienced since being a part of the project, which included:
- Improved wool quality owing to healthier grasslands.
- A never seen before 100% conception rate in their sheep.
- Increasing grass cover, leading to increased feed supply.

Beyond the reports and timelines, what stood out was the sense of unity in the room. The project is not just about restoringecosystems; it’s about the people, the farms, and the community it strengthens along the way. Looking forward to the next year and working with all these incredible people!