AXA IM Alts invests into US Nature-Based Solutions Company, Pantheon Regeneration PBC and their first project to restore damaged peatlands
AXA IM Alts, a global leader in alternative investments with over €188 billion of assets under management, announces an equity investment into Pantheon Regeneration PBC (‘Pantheon’), a new Nature-Based Solutions company focusing on the restoration of Pocosin peatlands through carbon credit projects.
The investment, made through AXA IM Alts’ Natural Capital and Impact investments strategy (the ‘Strategy’), will help scale Pantheon’s activities developing and managing peatland restoration projects. AXA IM Alts also announces that it is financing Pantheon’s first project, Pocosin Ecological Reserve I (PER I). PER I aims to rewet peatlands that were historically drained on a 14,500 acre site in the Southeastern United States. As well as restoring hydrological function to the peatlands, the site will be rewilded, creating space for local threatened and endangered species.
When unnaturally drained, carbon-rich peatlands emit significant volumes of CO2 daily and are highly flammable, making them particularly susceptible to wildfires. These fires not only impact surrounding ecosystems but also accelerate the release of stored carbon into the atmosphere. The PER I project includes hydrological restoration and active land management, meaning peatlands can resume their role as carbon storage systems, thereby mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and significantly decreasing their wildfire vulnerability. The restoration of this vital natural capital will aim to generate high-quality verified carbon credits.
The Strategy seeks to invest in companies with innovative solutions that aim to tackle global climate challenges. The investment into Pantheon Regeneration PBC and its first Project PER I represents an opportunity to directly support land use emissions reduction and habitat restoration. This strongly aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 15 and 13, which aim to restore and conserve primary natural capital, thereby mitigating climate change and promoting biodiversity.
Alexandre Martin-Min, Head of Natural Capital & Impact Investments at AXA IM Alts, comments: “When pocosin peatlands are drained, natural sequestration stops and the organic material decomposes, adding around 21 tons of CO₂ per hectare each year to the atmosphere, substantially adding to global greenhouse gas emissions. We are therefore excited to support Pantheon Regeneration PBC and its peatland restoration project, actively contributing to climate change mitigation, whilst restoring natural habitats. As well as generating high-quality carbon credits, Pantheon’s projects aim to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, restore natural hydrology, and provide habitat for threatened species.”
The investment identified does not represent all of the investments purchased, sold, or recommended for the strategy. There is no guarantee that the investment we make were or will be profitable. Developments of the past offer no guarantee and are no indicator for any future returns or trends.
Capital at risk. The value of investments may fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount invested.
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Notes to editors
All figures at end-June 2025.
Richardson et al. (2022) Annual carbon sequestration and loss rates under altered hydrology and fire regimes in southeastern USA pocosin peatlands. Glob Chang Biol. 2022 Nov;28(21):6370-6384
About AXA IM Alts
AXA IM Alts is a business unit of AXA Investment Managers, part of the BNP Paribas Group since 1st July 2025 following the closing of its acquisition.
AXA IM Alts is a global leader in alternative investments with over €188 billion of assets under management comprising over €80 billion of primarily private real estate, €96 billion of private debt and alternative credit, as well as over €12 billion in Infrastructure and private equity.
We take a 360° approach to real estate & infrastructure investing with over €126 billion of assets under management in direct opportunities, held indirectly through debt and listed equities and via long term private equity investments into operating platforms. ESG is fully integrated into our investment decision making processes with a particular focus on decarbonization.
AXA IM Alts employs over 990 people located in 17 offices around the world and serves the needs of over 600 clients from Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and Middle East. We are the number one property portfolio and asset manager in Europe, and one of the largest worldwide.
All figures at end-June 2025
Highest-ranked Real Estate Manager in the European Union according to IPE’s Global Top 150 Real Estate Investment Managers, based on total value of real estate assets under management, November/December 2024
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