PUR Projet started in 2008 under the leadership of Tristan Lecomte, former Founder of Alter Eco (a pioneer Fair Trade company in France). While working with small-scale farmers in Africa, Asia and South America, Tristan experienced first-hand the adverse farming conditions these communities were facing. In addition, it was clear that the challenges facing many of these Farmers was directly linked to the state of ecosystem degradation at the landscape level and to the growing impacts of climate change. Tristan started to discuss with Farmers the opportunity to plant trees to restore land fertility, bring back biodiversity, increase crops resilience and mitigate the impacts of climatic events. From this initial work, PUR Projet was created as a social business to pursue this goal with many other partners.
Recognition of the innovative and replicable aspect of the Insetting / Nature-Based Solution approach developed by PUR Projet. PUR Projet is one of the 1000 solutions promoted and supported by to fight effectively against global warming.
Beyond Chocolate : In Côte d'Ivoire, Cargill partners with PUR Projet and Empover'Her and is selected as one of IDH 7 Beyond Chocolate projects.
New version of our SSCA, the methodology for auditing suppliers within supply chains for raw material processing sites.
We are opening a new office in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
Launching of new projects in Ghana and Kenya
Obtention of public financing from the FFEM (AFD) for the Sidama project, Ethiopia to develop long-term activities for the project (cookstoves, women's entrepreneurship, etc.).
PUR Project renews its B Corp accreditation. The certification is granted to companies that set extra-financial, social or environmental objectives and meet stringent criteria in terms of compatibility and transparency.
In France, the "Arbres d'Avenir" competition merged with the "Je Deviens Paysan" competition and became the "Agriculteurs d'Avenir" competition in partnership with Fermes d'Avenir and with the support of Accor, Clarins and many other local partners.
Launch of the first "plastic" and recycling project in Pejarakan, Bali in partnership with the Biosphere Foundation
In partnership with Puratos, launching of a global agroforestry program on cocoa plots across 3 continents.
Launch of 2 agroforestry projects in Costa Rica and Mexico
In Ethiopia and Uganda, a first gender study is conducted within the different communities in collaboration with Empow'Her.
Opening of a new agroforestry project in Cote d'Ivoire
Launch of the Euroclima+ project in Latin America financially supported by the European Union. The bi-national project on Peru and Honduras is taking place in partnership with local and institutional partners.
The scope of PUR Project expands worldwide. New offices are opened in Canada, China and Thailand.
In Afghanistan, launching of a project on the Cashmere sector in partnership with the Burberry Foundation and Oxfam.
Design and development of workshops and training (GAP) for coffee and vanilla producers.
In Colombia, launching of Café Organico para la Paz (Coffee for Peace). The agroforestry project was launched with our local partner Federacion Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia
Launching of complementary activities to agroforestry: improved cookstoves in Ethiopia
Opening of a new project in Madagascar
7 million trees planted and 384 000 hectares of forest in conservation.
Launch of an impact investing project in Peru aiming at restoring degraded lands through agroforestry activities with local farmers. Agroforestry packages will be provided to farmers thanks to the initial investment, and later on the agroforestry outputs will be partly sold internationally to pay back investors (debt financing) with an interest rate. First stage: restoration of 6,000 ha, long term potential: 100,000 ha.
The Biocorredor Martin Sagrado conservation project becomes part of UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (Gran Pajatén declared as a 2.4 million hectares Biosphere Reserve).
PUR Projet obtains the B Corp certification, awarded to companies that use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems, and meet rigorous standards of accountability and transparency.
Launch of the first marine ecosystems restoration project in Indonesia: Pejarakan.
Climate and forests mobilization during COP 21 promoting the Tree method of personal Insetting.
Opening of regional offices in Colombia and Ethiopia.
Ecocert certification for various projects in Thailand (Reforestation and Solidarity standard).
On the occasion of its AGM, AccorHotels group submits the “Tree Resolution”, approved by 96% of the shareholders, and commits to plant 10 million trees by 2021.
First commercialization of the PUR Products, coming from agroforestry programs of PUR Projet in Thailand.
Opening of a regional office in Singapore.
Launch of the International Platform for Insetting (IPI) with AccorHotels, CHANEL and Nespresso.
Nespresso decides to engage in a massive insetting program of its coffee supply chains and commits to plant 10 million of trees by 2020 in agroforestry models with coffee farmers.
Creation of the PUR Lab in partnership with universities and research institutes to measure and quantify ecosystem services provided by trees.
Insetting presentation at the Davos Economic Forum.
Integration of complementary activities in order to enhance the projects and their impacts (beekeeping, fish farming, gardening, eco-tourism, etc.).
CCBA and VCS validation for the Biocorredor Martin Sagrado project in Peru.
Start of supply chain audit activities.
Launch of agroforestry projects in France and Europe.
AccorHotels group assigns PUR Projet to manage its Plant for the Planet program according to the principles of Insetting. This program funds tree planting activities with half of the laundry savings generated when customers keep their bath towel for more than one night.
PUR Projet reaches 2 million trees planted and 317 000 hectares in conservation.
VCS validation for the Alto Huayabamba project in Peru.
Creation of the PUR Farm in Thailand, an experimental agroecology farm on 3 hectares.
Opening of a regional office in Thailand.
Launch of new agroforesty projects in Asia and Africa.
Through Insetting, Ben & Jerry's supports the development of sustainable agricultural practices and agroforestry in its supply chains (milk, vanilla, cocoa, banana) and fights for climate and social justice.
Thierry Mugler (Clarins group) decided to commit to the preservation of the forest and its rich floral biodiversity, perfumes' key ingredients, and finance the planting of medicinal plants in the Santa Rosa botanical garden in Peru.
Chocolats Halba, Alter Eco's chocolate maker, joins the Insetting program and commits to evaluate, reduce and offset its carbon footprint by participating in the Alto Huayabamba project. Some shops that sell Alter Eco chocolates organize "tree operations" (for every item sold, a tree is planted in the Alto Huayabamba project). Benefits are enhanced and shared between all the stakeholders.
Tristan Lecomte is named one of TIME Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2010, and appointed as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and as an Ashoka Fellow.
Launch of the REDD+ Biocorredor Martin Sagrado project in Peru, as a complement of on-going reforestation projects.
Launch of the Alto Shamboyacu project, now Jubilación Segura project in Peru.
Launch of the first agroforestry project in Peru, in partnership with Alter Eco and the ACOPAGRO cooperative of organic and fair trade cocoa farmers.
Opening of the Paris and San Francisco offices.
Creation of PUR Projet under the impetus of Tristan Lecomte, a collective of social entrepreneurs sharing a common goal: fighting deforestation and climate change.