What is REDD+

REDD+ stands for “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.” The “+” in the acronym was added to acknowledge the additional activities beyond just reducing emissions, such as the added benefits that REDD projects have on biodiversity, communities, and the enhancement of carbon stocks. 

REDD+ aims to address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation while promoting sustainable development and poverty reduction in developing countries. It also provides opportunities for developed countries to support developing countries in their efforts to address climate change and promote sustainable development. Under REDD+, developed countries provide financial and technological support to developing countries and assist to promote sustainable forest management, conservation, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

In addition to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, REDD+ also includes:

  • Conservation: the protection of forests to prevent them from being converted to other land uses.
  • Sustainable management of forests: the responsible management of forests to ensure that they continue to provide social, economic, and environmental benefits, while also reducing emissions.
  • Enhancement of forest carbon stocks: activities that increase the amount of carbon stored in forests, such as reforestation, afforestation, and forest restoration.

REDD+ initiatives originated from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Conference of the Parties (COP).

In 2005, at COP11 in Montreal, parties to the UNFCCC recognized the importance of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. In 2007, at COP13 in Bali, parties agreed to include REDD+ as a key mechanism for mitigating climate change in developing countries.

REDD+ initiatives aim to incentivize countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by protecting and restoring forests. 

Since then, REDD+ initiatives have gained significant momentum and have been integrated into global climate agreements, including the Paris Agreement. The implementation of REDD+ initiatives is crucial for achieving global climate goals and for promoting sustainable development in developing countries.

VCM

REDD+ projects are also important in the voluntary carbon markets (VCM) because they provide a means for companies and individuals to offset their carbon emissions by supporting forest conservation and restoration projects. These projects can generate carbon credits that can be bought and sold on the voluntary carbon markets, providing a financial incentive for the preservation and restoration of forests where otherwise there would be no incentive or finance for such projects.

Beyond their role in carbon offsetting, REDD+ projects have positive effects on ecosystems, communities, and biodiversity. Here are some examples:

  1. Forest conservation: REDD+ projects that focus on forest conservation can help to protect vital ecosystem services, such as water and air purification, erosion control, and habitat for wildlife.
  2. Sustainable forest management: By promoting sustainable forest management, REDD+ projects can help to ensure the long-term viability of forest resources, providing benefits to local communities and economies.
  3. Biodiversity conservation: Forests are home to a vast array of species, many of which are threatened with extinction. REDD+ projects can help to protect and restore critical habitat for endangered species, contributing to biodiversity conservation.
  4. Community development: REDD+ projects can provide economic opportunities for local communities through the sustainable use of forest resources, such as ecotourism, sustainable harvesting of non-timber forest products, and community forestry initiatives.

REDD+ projects offer a win-win solution for addressing climate change, supporting sustainable development, and promoting biodiversity conservation. By protecting and restoring forests, these projects can provide a range of benefits to ecosystems and communities, while also contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change.

Helping People

REDD+ projects can positively impact marginalized rural communities and Indigenous peoples in developing countries in a number of ways:

  1. Land tenure: In many developing countries, Indigenous peoples and local communities have weak or insecure land tenure, which makes them vulnerable to land grabbing and forced displacement. REDD+ projects can help to secure land tenure rights for these communities, protecting them from land grabbing and ensuring that they have a say in the management of forest resources.
  2. Livelihoods: REDD+ projects can provide economic opportunities for marginalized rural communities and Indigenous peoples through sustainable forest management and the use of non-timber forest products. For example, community-based forest management initiatives can provide income from ecotourism, the sale of carbon credits, and sustainable harvesting of forest products such as medicinal plants, fruits, and nuts.
  3. Empowerment: REDD+ projects can empower marginalized rural communities and Indigenous peoples by providing them with training and capacity building to participate in the management of forest resources. This can help to build their skills and confidence and give them a voice in decision-making processes.
  4. Cultural preservation: Indigenous peoples and local communities often have a deep cultural connection to forests, which is often threatened by deforestation and forest degradation. REDD+ projects can help to preserve traditional knowledge and cultural practices related to forest management, while also contributing to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
  5. Climate resilience: Many marginalized rural communities and Indigenous peoples are highly dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods and are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. REDD+ projects can help to increase the resilience of these communities by protecting and restoring forest ecosystems, which can provide a range of ecosystem services that are critical for their survival, such as water supply, soil stabilization, and protection from natural disasters.

Overall, REDD+ projects can help to support the rights and well-being of marginalized rural communities and Indigenous peoples, while also contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change and promote sustainable development.

Biodiversity

REDD+ projects also help preserve biodiversity and protect IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) listed species in several ways:

  1. Habitat conservation: Forests provide critical habitat for a wide range of species, many of which are threatened with extinction. REDD+ projects that focus on forest conservation can help to protect these habitats, providing a safe haven for wildlife.
  2. Forest restoration: REDD+ projects can also focus on restoring degraded forests, which can help to increase habitat connectivity and provide new habitat for species that have been displaced by deforestation and forest degradation.
  3. Species monitoring: REDD+ projects can include monitoring programs to track changes in biodiversity and the distribution of IUCN-listed species. This can help to identify areas that are particularly important for conservation and guide the design of management strategies that maximize conservation benefits.
  4. Community participation: Many REDD+ projects involve the participation of local communities in the management of forest resources. This can help to build support for conservation efforts and provide a means for communities to protect important species and their habitats.
  5. Education and awareness: REDD+ projects can also include education and awareness-raising activities to promote the conservation of biodiversity and highlight the importance of protecting IUCN-listed species. This can help to build support for conservation efforts among local communities and other stakeholders.

By protecting and restoring forest ecosystems, REDD+ projects can help to preserve biodiversity and protect IUCN-listed species, contributing to global efforts to conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable development.

Chaco Vivo

Project Chaco Vivo is located in the Gran Chaco biome, more specifically, within the Paraguayan Chaco in Paraguay. The Paraguayan Chaco is currently experiencing rapid rates of deforestation, largely driven by agricultural expansion for soybean production, cattle ranching, and timber extraction. According to a report by Global Forest Watch, Paraguay lost more than 425,000 hectares of tree cover in 2020 alone, making it one of the highest rates of forest loss in the world.

If the trend continues, it is likely that the Chaco forests will be destroyed within the next few decades. This would have devastating impacts on the region’s biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as the livelihoods of local communities and the planet.

The Paraguayan Chaco is home to a wide range of important species, including the jaguar, puma, and giant anteater, as well as numerous species of birds and reptiles. Many of these species are already threatened or endangered, and deforestation will only exacerbate these threats.

In addition to the loss of biodiversity, deforestation in the Chaco will also have significant impacts on the region’s ecosystems, including changes in water cycles and soil erosion. This, in turn, will affect the livelihoods of local communities who depend on these ecosystems for their survival.

The loss of forests in the Chaco will also have global impacts on the climate, as forests play a critical role in regulating the Earth’s climate by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Deforestation in the Chaco will release large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change.

In summary, the rapid deforestation of the Paraguayan Chaco is a major threat to the region’s biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as the livelihoods of local communities and the planet. Urgent action is needed to halt deforestation and promote sustainable land use practices in the region, in order to protect this important ecosystem and the species that depend on it –  this is where REDD+ comes in. Project Chaco Vivo will help ensure that the Chaco stays alive by protecting over 187,000 hectares of important ecosystems. The project will ensure that the biodiversity calling these ecosystems home flourish. The project will also ensure that marginalized rural and Indigenous communities living within the project region are positively impacted via robust social programs, all made possible through the REDD+ initiative.  

Project Chaco Vivo – for people, biodiversity and the planet.

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