Projectos eco

Supporting indigenous peoples to avoid deforestation

As the biggest REDD+ Project in Colombia this initiative protects 1,150,200 hectares of tropical forests, safeguarding its biodiversity. It provides education, healthcare, sanitation, food security, nutrition, and further social benefits for 16,000 indigenous people. The project works hand-in-hand with the communities to constantly inform and train them, improve living conditions and promote sustainable economic growth.

The project follows a holistic approach to make a lasting change in the behavior towards sustainable practices, forest protection, and conservation. The different scopes of the project focus on reducing the vulnerability of indigenous territory through strengthening governance through the communities, improving surveillance and control of the territory, as well as the system of communication and transportation. Besides, the project helps improve food self-sufficiency for six different ethnic groups.

HOW DOES FOREST PROTECTION PROJETS HELP FIGHT GLOBAL WARMING?

Forests are not only among the planet's most important carbon reservoirs. They also are home to an enormous diversity of species and are the livelihood for all people. However, global forest areas have declined sharply in recent decades due to increasing settlement, agricultural use, illegal logging and mining.

Forest protection projects ensure that forests are preserved in the long term and that the protection of forests is given a higher value than their deforestation. Together with the local population, project participants protect the area from negative influences. To allow for this the projects create alternative sources of income and educational opportunities. Depending on the project region, forests store varying amounts of carbon per hectare. Particularly high amounts of carbon are stored in the vegetation and soil of tropical swamp forests, primary rainforests or mangroves.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDG's)

SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere (The project supports one of the most vulnerable communities in Colombia, around 16,000 indigenous people in 6 different ethnic groups)

SDG 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture (Ensuring food security and proper nutrition for 3,600 families)

SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages (The project is improving the well-being of 16,000 people, including the construction of 6 community healthcare centers)

SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all (Enhancing education access and learning conditions for children)

SDG 5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls (The project is raising the participation and empowerment of 7,600 indigenous women)

SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all (The project built around 30 solar-powered pumps for drinking water and wastewater treatment)

SDG 10 - Reduce inequality within and among countries (Promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth for 265 indigenous communities)

SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts (The project saves an average of 3,600,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year)

SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss (Protecting the biodiversity of Orinoco – Amazon transition zone; including 249 bird species, 198 butterfly species, 33 dung beetle species, 121 plant species, among others)

Project Standard: Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)

Technology: Forest Protection

Region: Mataven, Colombia

Annual volume: 3.622.000 t CO2

Verified by: EPIC Sustainability Services Private Ltd