Great Bear Carbon Announces the Appointment of Joseph Pallant asCEO

The board of directors of Great Bear Carbon (GBC) is pleased to announce that Joseph Pallant will join the company on July 28, 2025 as its new CEO.

Pallant brings a wealth of experience in the carbon offset sector to GBC, having worked with First Nations for many years through his positions with veritree, Ecotrust Canada and Brinkman and Associates Reforestation. He has been involved in the development of First Nation- led carbon offset projects in the Great Bear Rainforest, Haida Gwaii and Cheakamus Watershed.

In his most recent role with veritree, Pallant led a group of professionals building technology to better understand and communicate climate impact of improved forest management. At Ecotrust Canada, the challenge was to innovate new climate finance tools to drive conservation leadership by First Nations and local communities. At Brinkman and Associates Reforestation, Joseph helped develop, communicate and market the Cheakamus Community Forest carbon project owned by the Resort Municipality of Whistler, Lil’wat, and Squamish First Nations. “Joseph Pallant has shared his carbon project insight and expertise at conferences and workshops on forest carbon and innovative climate solutions for a long time,” said GBC Board President Danielle Shaw. “Now he will help lead the largest First Nations-led forest carbon offset project in Canada.”

“Joseph has the ideal background, knowledge, and solutions-based approach in the carbon offset market to lead Great Bear Carbon, said Gaagwiis (Jason Alsop), GBC board member for Haida Gwaii. “We are thrilled to welcome him aboard.”

Great Bear Carbon runs the first Indigenous-owned carbon offset project in Canada - dedicated to protecting the Great Bear Rainforest, promoting environmental stewardship, and advancing Reconciliation. The company is wholly owned by the Great Bear Business Corporation, a fully Indigenous-owned company with seven First Nation Shareholders from the Central and North Coast and Haida Gwaii – Gitga’at First Nation, Haida Nation, Heiltsuk Tribal Council, Kitasoo Xai’Xais Nation, Metlakatla First Nation, Nuxalk Nation, and Wuikinuxv Nation.

“It is the honour of a lifetime to serve these Nations and landscapes of the Central Coast, North Coast, and Haida Gwaii. The Great Bear Forest Carbon Project is a model for leadership in forest carbon offset methodology & project design across Canada and the world over. I couldn’t be more thrilled to lead Great Bear Carbon as we shift into a new phase of regulated carbon markets in British Columbia. We have the opportunity to demonstrate the core role of carbon offsets in climate action. We also have a responsibility to vigorously engage the market in a way that reflects the value the Owner Nations provide to the climate through this project.”

The Great Bear Forest Carbon Project is a globally recognized Indigenous-led climate initiative that generates up to one million tonnes of high-quality carbon credits annually. This project is a model of how carbon finance can support ecosystem conservation, Indigenous governance, and community well-being. Offsets are available for purchase in the voluntary market and are verified for use under BC’s new Output-Based Pricing System. Purchasing offsets from GBC supports the protection of the forest while investing in local First Nations communities. The revenue funds stewardship programs, economic development, and conservation efforts, empowering Indigenous communities to deliver sustainable initiatives across their territories.

At this time, the GBC board members would like to extend a sincere thank you to Paul Kariya, who is now retiring from his position of Acting General Manager.

“Paul led our company through the early years of its development and helped to set a solid foundation for where we are today,” said board member Chief Robert Nelson of Metlakatla. “We want to thank him for his dedication and leadership, and we wish him the very best in his retirement.”

Media Contact:

Paul Kariya

Acting General Manager

pkariya@greatbearcarbon.ca

+1-604-818-1827