How Neo Terra turned a buyer requirement for a BeZero rating into a commercial advantage

Tropical peatlands are among the most carbon-dense ecosystems on Earth, yet they face increasing pressure from degradation, drainage, and conversion. In Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, Neo Terra's South Barito Kapuas (SBK) Project seeks to protect and restore nearly 40,000 hectares of dryland and peat swamp forest, avoiding emissions from deforestation and peat degradation while supporting biodiversity conservation and the livelihoods of surrounding communities. 

As a project developer bringing a large-scale peatland REDD+ project to market, Neo Terra faced a common challenge: demonstrating quality in a way that resonated with buyers. With growing demand for independent assurance — including requirements such as Core Carbon Principles (CCP) eligibility — prospective buyers and intermediaries were increasingly looking for third-party evidence of project integrity before committing capital. Neo Terra needed to align its project to these evolving buyer expectations, and find a credible way to justify a higher price point by evidencing the quality of credits yet to be issued.

The rating had an immediate effect on Neo Terra's commercial activity.

Following the assignment of the 'A.pre' rating, Neo Terra reported a full schedule of buyer conversations, including engagement with buyers they had not previously been in contact with. The rating provided the independent, third-party validation that prospective buyers had specifically requested, giving them confidence in the project's climate integrity.

The rating also simplified project due diligence for intermediaries operating across different regions. For exchanges such as RVCMC in the Middle East and North Africa, a BeZero rating is a requirement, and the assessment enabled Neo Terra to meet these standards and access new markets.

Internally, the rating became a valuable piece of marketing collateral. Neo Terra's Head of Sales began attaching the executive summary of BeZero's ex ante rating report directly to outreach emails, using it as a concise tool to evidence quality to prospective buyers. The report was also made available on BeZero's platform, increasing the project's visibility to over 10,000 subscribers across the global carbon market.