The Head of Forest Restoration and Management Projects at EP Carbon, Cyril Melikov, has established himself as a leading professional on the front lines of environmental stewardship. As an advocate for reforestation and combating the climate crisis, Melikov brings a career marked by cutting-edge research, highly effective projects, and novel leadership, and his journey exemplifies a devotion to utilizing nature-based solutions for a sustainable future that are desperately needed now.
“Reforestation is critical as it directly removes CO2 from the atmosphere through the natural process of photosynthesis, making restored forests act like CO2 vacuums,” Melikov says. He elaborates that this pathway is estimated to have the largest biophysical maximum mitigation potential of any options in the United States today.
“Globally, it also ranks as one of the top nature-based climate mitigation strategies, but some socio-economic factors currently reduce its potential and implementation ” Melikov continues. These factors include, for example, high implementation costs and the extensive use of human and technical resources, among others.“However,” he says, “overcoming these socio-economic barriers would allow us to fully exploit its mitigation potential.”
Melikov’s proficient odyssey traces back to his roots in France before he eventually set forth on a genuinely inspirational move to North America. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences from McGill University and a Masters in Forestry from the University of California, Berkeley, Melikov’s academic prowess began to lay the groundwork for his distinguished career. His adoration for nature and understanding of ecosystems was nurtured since his childhood via some of his most adored memories of activities like fly fishing.
Melikov’s incredible contributions to environmental protection are emphasized by his considerable professional achievements. As an author and contributor to several peer-reviewed publications in prominent journals like Nature Climate Change, he has shed light on crucial aspects of nature-based climate solutions. Perhaps most notably, Melikov’s involvement in studies like the “Expert Review of the Science Underlying Nature-Based Climate Solutions” has provided influence for many carbon market practitioners and policymakers, effectively ushering them toward more effective climate solutions.
One of Melikov’s proudest projects involves inventive research on forest management’s impacts on carbon stocks. This research—also published in top-tier journals—has dramatically expanded the understanding of carbon accumulation in global monoculture plantation forests, demonstrating valuable insights for carbon sequestration strategies in the future.
“Reforestation is critical because, when done correctly and in the right context, it provides additional benefits beyond carbon sequestration, such as soil protection from erosion, flood protection, regulation of regional hydrology, local cooling, and enhancement of biodiversity habitats,” explains Melikov. “Reforestation also enhances landscape connectivity by creating green corridors. Other benefits include cultural significance, an improved quality of life for local communities, and the provision of lumber and other forest products.”
As a leader in his field, Melikov essentially leads initiatives that propel novelty and progress. His proficiency in forest management strategies, carbon accounting, and agronomy has driven the progress of robust forest carbon offset projects, which made significant strides in emissions reduction and carbon sequestration. Furthermore, Melikov’s leadership spreads far beyond project management. As a leader, he actively nurtures collaborations between NGOs, universities, and private sector partners, to facilitate collaborative solutions that genuinely amplify environmental impact.
Of course, Melikov’s path has been struck by multiple challenges that have helped to shape his adaptability. From managing assorted teams to transitioning between research, NGO, and private sector environments, he has greeted every obstacle with determination and growth. All in all, his ability to navigate cultural and operational differences—united with a persistent pursuit of quality—shines a remarkable light on his capacity to overcome adversity to drive impactful change where it matters.
Looking ahead, Melikov says that he sees his future as a continual driving force in nature-based climate solutions. Additionally, Melikov’s ambition is to be recognized as a global leader in Nature-Based Climate solutions delivering expert guidance on climate mitigation and resilience. Of course, this works as evidence of his dedication to environmental protection globally. This combination of scientific research and scalable solutions looks to set new industry standards and shape the trajectory of environmental stewardship as a whole. Melikov’s journey accentuates his firm devotion to environmental conservation and climate action, working to utilize his expertise and offer a guiding light toward a greener, more resilient tomorrow.
