BioClimate was established as a not-for-profit company in March 2002. Its primary purpose at that time was to manage the Plan Vivo System – a system for reducing poverty in developing countries by building the capacity of rural communities and channelling payments to them for ecosystem services generated by sound forest and land management activities.

In 2008 Plan Vivo was reorganised. The Plan Vivo Standard was developed. This formalised the good practice guidelines established during the previous decade of project experiences. The Plan Vivo Foundation was set up as an independent charity to take on responsibility for the governance of the system and standard, registration of projects, and certification of project benefits. BioClimate redefined its role to focus on assisting organisations to make Plan Vivo programmes and projects happen.

In our view, the great strength of Plan Vivo is that it combines solid and worthwhile principles with the flexibility to be used in new circumstances and to advance new goals. But BioClimate may also support projects and development initiatives with objectives other than, or broader than, the establishment of a Plan Vivo programme. And we draw on methods, tools and processes from diverse sources and fields if we think they can be useful.

Visit www.planvivo.org to learn more about the Plan Vivo System and Standard, the Foundation, and Plan Vivo projects.