About us - Climate Lab

Our story: how did we get here?

Our journey began under the shade of a fig tree in the Ethiopian highlands, where farmers gathered to express growing worries about land degradation and climate changes. Among them were doctoral students Sil and Miro, joined by forest expert Seifu. Motivated to act, they launched the EthioTrees project in 2016, aimed at restoring ecosystems and supporting smallholders and landless farmers through agroforestry practices. To guide their efforts, the Plan Vivo standard was chosen for its inclusive and community-rooted vision of climate action.

In 2020, the Tigray famine brought immense uncertainty to the region. While many projects withdrew, EthioTrees remained and provided critical support to affected communities. This resilience proved the durability of the community-driven model and inspired the creation of Climate Lab.

We expanded this approach across Mozambique, Cameroon, Madagascar, and Bolivia, building a global network where knowledge is shared, and people collaborate to restore landscapes and strengthen communities.

Their Vision is Our Mission

We partner with communities to implement nature-based solutions that foster environmental resilience and meaningful social change. Our mission is to co-create the conditions for communities to mobilize their own resources and bring their vision to life.

“A sustainable life. A life where we can think long-term, with stable access to food and other essentials.”

Teame
Landless farmer (EthioTrees)

“Enough water pumps so we no longer have to fetch water from the Buzi River. I was attacked there by a crocodile and lost my arm. I hope for a future where such accidents never happen again.”

Amélia
Farmer (Kukumuty)

“A bay full of larger fish so I can make a living and support my family.”

Fernando
Fisher (Kukumuty)

“A peaceful environment where our children can attend school and contribute to the development of our country, especially our region of Tigray.”

Haffu
School director (EthioTrees)

“Clean water in our community, to end water scarcity and ensure our children don’t miss school to collect it.”

Letay
Farmer (EthioTrees)

“A school nearby so my children and grandchildren don’t have to walk long distances anymore.”

Armando
Farmer (Kukumuty)

We believe in

Meaningful Social Impact

We are committed to driving meaningful, measurable, and lasting change. Through rigorous assessments, we ensure our projects meet community needs, track all impacts, and we adapt our actions accordingly.

Committed Communities

We partner with communities to create the conditions that enable them to mobilize their resources and drive change. By engaging communities at every step, our projects foster meaningful knowledge exchange and a deep sense of ownership.

True Partnerships

Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. We forge strong, trust-based partnerships with local communities, organizations, and stakeholders to co-create solutions that are equitable, effective, and sustainable.

High-Integrity Carbon Credits

We ensure full transparency and accountability by generating ex-post removals, guaranteeing that every credit reflects realized carbon sequestration with immediate environmental and social benefits.

Science-backed solutions

We believe in the power of data and robust research to inform our actions. Our projects are grounded in scientific evidence, ensuring that our solutions are impactful, scalable, and adaptable to evolving climate and community needs.

Our team

We are a passionate, multidisciplinary team from diverse backgrounds, united by a shared mission: to restore the environment and support the communities that rely on it.

Miro Jacob
Co-founder

Sil Lanckriet
Co-founder

Seifu Gebreslassie
Project Coordinator EthioTrees

Jade Timperman
Project Lead

Samuel Sibanda
Project Coordinator Kukumuty

Lianne Pieterson
Social Impact and Media Officer

Claudio Vazquez Salinas
Project Coordinator BoliTrees

Andreas Reger
Business Development Manager

Key Roles

Our team brings together hundreds of dedicated individuals, from rangers working in the field to our support team in Belgium. Every role is essential in turning our project’s vision into reality.

Gebrekidan

— Project Support Officer, EthioTrees

“Our ultimate goal is to foster a sense of ownership among the communities we work with, for them to see the tree as theirs, something they care for and protect.”

Alfonso

— Agroforestry expert, Kukumuty

“We restore the environment and help farmers integrate trees and shrubs with their crops, improving soil health, creating microclimates, and protecting against wind to boost their productivity and provide food security during drought.”

Tsige

— Nursery worker, EthioTrees

“We use grafting techniques to improve fruit production and quality, while also keeping the trees shorter so farmers can harvest more easily. All of this helps increase their income.”

Guesh

— Sub-Office Coordinator, EthioTrees

“Some farmers have started growing their own seedlings in response to the rising demand. This shift is a direct result of the on-the-job training provided in the nurseries, creating new income opportunities for our farmers.”

Atakhi

— Ranger, EthioTrees

“I protect our exclosure from illegal cutting to maximize benefits to our community. Restoring our land is the greatest reward, it’s our insurance for the years to come.”

Joaquim

— Community Fisheries Council member, Kukumuty

“I remember how my grandfather used to catch big fish in this bay. But since the introduction of nets, the fish have become fewer and smaller, and our income has suffered. Protecting the bay and its fish is essential for our future.”

Josefina

— Project Officer, Kukumuty

“Since the project began, biodiversity has increased, with new species now covering the area.”

Felipe

— Technical assistant, Kukumuty

“We build bici-bombas from recycled bike parts and broken electric pumps so farmers can irrigate their fields and increase their productivity.”

Pita