The Dominican Republic has achieved a major international distinction by becoming the first Caribbean nation to have its proposal accepted by the LEAF Coalition to supply high-integrity jurisdictional emissions reductions and removals. This milestone was announced at the Cop30 platform in Belem, Brazil.
The acceptance by the LEAF Coalition, a premier public-private buyers’ group for high-integrity carbon credits, offers the Dominican Republic several key benefits and opportunities:
• Pioneering Status: The DR is now the first in the Caribbean to gain access to this high-integrity carbon credit market, positioning it as a climate leader in the region.
• Green Financing Attraction: Crucially, this acceptance will allow the country to attract green financing for projects. The purchase of credible carbon credits by the LEAF Coalition will help fund efforts to reduce emissions and promote sustainable development within the DR.
• Monetizing Environmental Commitment: The country can now supply its verified emissions reductions to the coalition, effectively monetizing its forest protection and climate mitigation efforts (Jurisdictional REDD+).
• Global Climate Goal Support: The DR is supplying these reductions under a commitment to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 compared to 2010 levels. This international support helps the country meet its ambitious climate goals.
• High Integrity and Trust: The proposal, covering the crediting years 2025 to 2029, was reviewed by the LEAF Technical Assessment Panel and meets ART’s TREES standard. This ensures the highest levels of environmental integrity and social safeguards, boosting international confidence in the DR’s programs.
The LEAF Coalition, which was launched during the US President Joe Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate and has raised over US$1 billion in commitments, aims to build a market for high-integrity emissions reduction credits. The Dominican Republic is now one of 28 governments eligible to supply credits to this critical market, securing financial support for its environmental future.
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Emergent Climate
Emergent Climate
17 November 2025