The carbon abatement reported by these projects have been scientifically measured using the relevant methodology and independently verified as required under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS).
Contribution toward co-benefits for Rainforest Rescue projects in TEM’s portfolio have been independently validated and scientifically monitored and reported on by the project proponents using the Climate Community and Biodiversity (CCB) Standards (note SDGs may vary depending on the specific project).
Impacts reported have been taken from project description documents for rainforest rescue projects in TEM’s portfolio supplied by the project owners. These impacts have been certified under the CCB Standards.
Registry information: Verra
Standard: Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)
Unit type: Verified Carbon Unit (VCU)
TEM-sourced or project partner projects in Asia, Oceania and Africa reduce carbon emissions and protect hundreds of thousands of hectares of native forests, which secures habitat for wildlife and support local communities. This includes securing vital habitat for millions of species of endemic and endangered rainforest animals and plants.
For example, projects across Indonesia protect large, in-tact expanses of rainforest that would otherwise have been cleared. This prevents the release of millions of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year. Protecting these forests secures the carbon stored within the organic matter.
These projects diversify landholder income and put a value on retaining the forests by supporting sustainable agroforestry projects, such as the production of coconut products (oil and sugar) and cashews.
Key impacts and benefits can include:
UN Sustainable Development Goals
The projects may contribute to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Highlighted project: April Salumei project
The April Salumei Project sustainably manages over 600,000 hectares of rainforest in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea, with a crediting area of over 200,000 hectares. The project area has previously been recognised as an exceptional biodiversity hotspot by the Climate Community and Biodiversity Standard (SCS, 2011). Before becoming a carbon project, the area was planned to be cleared for logging.
The project will prevent 22.8m tonnes of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere over its lifetime and has prevented 1.8 million tonnes of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere during the most recent monitoring period.
In addition to reducing carbon emissions, the project also has a range of other benefits. The project protects vital habitat for many endangered animals, including the tree kangaroo, palm cockatoo, the bird of paradise and the southern crowned pigeon.
The project also channels climate finance to the community via a benefit sharing agreement that provides 60% of the revenue from sale of offsets to autonomous local landowner groups, helping reduce poverty and enhance the wellbeing of local communities. TEM partners with 164 local land groups (clans), made up of around 15,000 people, who own the rainforest and who have surrendered their rights to commercial logging and now work closely with TEM to manage the area sustainably.
The April Salumei Working Group, formed to assist with managing the project, provides employment opportunities to the local community. The project promotes culturally inclusive, sustainable community development via a new five-year Sustainable Development Plan, agreed by locals.
Previous project activities have delivered benefits including:
- Providing over 10,000 native eaglewood trees for village areas for sustainable agriculture
- Providing 1,000 solar powered lights to community schools, health centres and families to provide affordable, sustainable energy
- Created 18 jobs for community members
- Providing funds to improve 15 local schools to help promote quality education.
Information source: project annual reports.
