Context
As one of only twelve countries in the world officially designated as megadiverse, Colombia is recognised for its remarkable abundance and variety of flora and fauna. The Pacific region alone is home to an impressive 831 bird species, 195 amphibians, 167 mammals, 210 reptiles and over 5,000 plant species - a true testament to Colombia's environment's riches.
Unfortunately, these spectacular forests have been steadily shrinking in size due to illegal logging activities. Local families often turn to these resources for personal income when other options are unavailable; however, this practice can be devastating when it occurs on a large scale. As a result of deforestation, the diversity of species inhabiting this area has been put at risk, along with the sustainability of the entire ecosystem.
Preserving these habitats is essential for preserving Colombia's biodiversity and ensuring its survival well into the future. The government has taken strides to protect forests by increasing surveillance in areas known to be prone to illegal logging activities and strengthening national laws against timber harvesting without authorisation. However, much more needs to be done if we are going to protect Colombia's natural wonders from further damage. Adequate enforcement of existing laws must be provided along with additional measures that help provide economic opportunities for local communities to find alternative sources of income without resorting to illegal timber extraction practices. By taking these steps, we can ensure that Colombia's immense wealth in biodiversity remains intact long into the future.
Project
This REDD+ led project is located in the Chocó-Darién biogeographical region, an area of immense biodiversity. It seeks to tackle deforestation and illegal logging locally by protecting and restoring more than 83,452 hectares of land.
The project’s threefold objective is to mitigate climate change by reducing deforestation and forest degradation, contributing to preserving biodiversity, and fostering sustainable development in local communities. To meet these aims, the project works on several fronts, including:
- strengthening governance capacity (e.g. individual property titling, land-use planning and conservation zone demarcation);
- generating alternative economic activities;
- promoting alternate sources of income;
- building administrative and management capacity;
- recovering degraded forests;
- preventing the further conversion of land to other uses;
- investing in social structures such as development planning, water treatment and healthcare provision.
The Chocó-Darién bioregion, due to its varied topography and annual rainfall patterns, is incredibly biodiverse, with many unique species endemic to the area. This project helps ensure the region’s rich biodiversity will be conserved for future generations by increasing wilderness cover extent over the long term and increasing connectedness between different natural habitats.
Furthermore, this project assists local communities by providing them with alternative sources of revenue that are sustainably managed for maximum benefit to all stakeholders. Additionally, it invests heavily in social infrastructures such as development plans for poverty alleviation, improved water treatment facilities, and better access to health care services for all citizens within the area. Such investments are essential for improving living standards among rural populations living in highly disadvantaged regions of the country.
Verification
This project is verified by the Verified Carbon Standard and the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards. You can view it on the Verra Registry here. The project is also monitored by our partners, Pachama, and you can see its impact monitoring here.
