28
May

Sustainable Forestry in the Amazon Basin in Peru

The “Peruvian Capital of Biodiversity”. The region ‘Madre de Dios’ is understood as such by its population. The region is part of the Amazon rainforest and at the same time a nature reserve that is home to numerous endangered animal and plant species. 

However, illegal deforestation threatens this biodiversity. 

A holistic approach to protecting the Peruvian rainforest

The Amazon basin stretches over 8 million square kilometers. Inaccessibility provides effective protection for invaluable habitats for animals and plants. Madre de Dios province in the East of Peru is a prime example of this remoteness. Scientists estimate that 10% of the animal species in the area are still unknown.

Since August 2011, the Interoceanic Highway cuts through the region. It is more than 2,600 kilometres long and connects the Brazilian part of the Amazon to the Pacific coast. Experience in past decades shows that with improved accessibility, deforestation for agriculture and illegal logging will follow suit. The concessions stretch over 100,000 hectares covered by dense rainforest. Effective surveillance of this area to prevent illegal dwelling and destructive forest use is only possible with the support of carbon certificate revenues.

The project helps develop initiatives that increase both the value of the healthy forest and the income from the sustainable harvesting of Brazil nuts. This enables small farmers to protect and maintain their forest. Regional families benefit from a secure source of income. Illegal deforestation becomes unattractive. To support this economic redirection, the project has implemented a significant outreach campaign to educate the local population on the benefits of intact rainforest, holding workshops in each town within the region. 

Overview of the project data

Location: Madre de Dios, Peru

Project type: REDD+

Certificate Standard: Verified Carbon Standard & Climate, Community, Biodiversity Standards (CCBS)

Emissions reduction per year: 2,086,089 t CO2

Total emissions reduction: 64,688,764 t CO2

Project Validator: SCS Global Services

 

The holistic approach of the project contributes to the sustainable protection of approx. 300,000 hectares of rainforest and saves approx. 2 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE GOALS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

While focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the Forest Protection Project also generates multiple co-benefits. These are supportive of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

By supporting the project, we contribute to the following sustainability goals:

No poverty

The project guarantees job security and long-term income for small farmers.

 

Gender equality

A significant proportion of the project target group and the Paranut farmers are women. 

 

Decent Work and Economic Growth

The project contributes to decent work by creating jobs in forestry as well as for small farmers.

It also generates economic growth through the sale of Paranuts. 

Reduced inequalities

Land rights for small farmers are strengthened by this project and thus it contributes to reducing inequality.

 

Sustainable consumption and production

The sustainable cultivation of Paranuts contributes to the reduction of rainforest deforestation.

 

Climate Action

For each ton of CO2 offset, the project protects an average of 2,000 square meters of Amazon rainforest. 

 

Life on Land

The conservation of the rainforest protects numerous species of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, trees and other plants.