Protection of the Matavén forest in eastern Colombia

Context

Colombia is renowned for its richness in biodiversity; accounting for an estimated 10% of the world’s flora and faunal species. It is one of only 12 countries globally that are considered megadiverse. It is estimated that Colombia’s rich ecosystems contain over 40,000 species of plants

The Vichada department, where this project is based, is situated on the eastern plains of the country, near the border with Venezuela. It is found in the river basin of the Orinoco River. Deforestation has historically represented a large environmental challenge in Colombia and in this region specifically. From 1990 to 2005, around 500,000 hectares of forest was lost in this region, accounting for a loss of 3.2% of regional forest cover.

Photos: Seve Producción

Project

The Matavén REDD+ project protects 1,150,212 hectares of tropical forest in the Indigenous Reservation of the Matavén Forest.

Over the past decade, this project has succeeded in preventing emissions which, in the absence of the project activity, would have taken place. Due to the pressures which cause local small-scale farmers to move into the project area and deforest it, the project delivers an alternative – employing the local population as rangers and supporting the development of sustainable livelihoods which work with the forest, rather than depleting it.

Almost 16,000 Indigenous people live locally, benefitting from co-projects alongside the protection of the forest: including providing education, healthcare centres, dental services, sanitation and food security.

Beyond the benefits of GHG emissions reductions, the project aspects above provide an array of benefits for the local population and for biodiversity conservation. The project is certified to Verra’s Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard (CCBS), demonstrating its intentions to bring significant co-benefits to the local people and nature. 

To learn more about this incredible project, see the video below.

Verification

This project is verified by the Verified Carbon Standard. You can view it on the Verra Registry here.

Climate Solution

Forest protection

In their biomass and soil, forests are powerful carbon storehouses. Protection prevents emissions from deforestation, shields that carbon, and enables ongoing carbon sequestration.

 

In 2015, there were an estimated three trillion trees in the world. That count is substantially higher than previously thought, but more than 15 billion are cut down each year. Since humans began farming, the number of trees on earth has fallen by 46 percent. Carbon emissions from deforestation and associated land use change are estimated to be 10 to 15 percent of the world’s total.

 

The benefits of forest conservation include biodiversity protection, non-timber products, erosion control, pollination, ecotourism and other ecosystem services.

 

From drawdown.org

Photos

Photos: Seve Producción

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The 'Mataven REDD+' project aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

  • Sustainable Development Goal #3

    Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

  • Sustainable Development Goal #4

    Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality education.

  • Sustainable Development Goal #6

    Ensure access to water and sanitation for all.

  • Sustainable Development Goal #8

    Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.

  • Sustainable Development Goal #9

    Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

  • Sustainable Development Goal #13

    Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

  • Sustainable Development Goal #15

    Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss.

Read more about the Sustainable Development Goals

Project location: Vichada, Colombia

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