Supporting climate action and community leadership in the U.S.
Two recently published case studies by ACR at Winrock International highlight the power of high-integrity carbon markets to support local leadership, climate action and long-term impact – and demonstrate how Winrock continues to advance ambitious climate results across the U.S. and around the world.
Duke University achieves carbon neutrality
In 2024, Duke University became the first among its academic peers to achieve its carbon neutrality goal — reducing emissions by 31% even as campus size and population grew. The university’s strategy included operational improvements and a critical investment in high-quality carbon credits. These included 179,000 credits issued by ACR at Winrock International from projects that destroy stockpiled, ozone-depleting refrigerants — a bold step that helped Duke fulfill its pledge.
In recognition of this achievement, Duke University received a 2025 ACR Climate Impact Award for Organizational Excellence. The university’s leadership demonstrates the potential of institutions of higher education to become integral players in advancing carbon solutions and climate responsibility. Read the full ACR case study about Duke’s incredible achievement here.
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians: Carbon finance for self-determination
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is using a forest carbon project to advance its vision of self-determination and invest in the future.
Working with the National Indian Carbon Coalition and ACR, the tribe is generating verified carbon credits from improved forest management on more than 25,000 acres of tribal land.
Revenue from the sale of these credits is helping to finance a new middle and high school complex for the Choctaw Central school system — the largest tribally controlled school system in the U.S. The project shows how climate finance can support not just emissions reductions but also education, economic empowerment, and Indigenous land stewardship. For more information about how the tribe is combining its climate action and community development goals, click on ACR’s case study here.
These stories underscore Winrock’s commitment to partnering with innovators and communities — from North Carolina to Mississippi and beyond — to achieve real climate impact. Check out these and other resources at ACRcarbon.org.
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