Rainforest Rescue
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.
The projects may contribute to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Key Facts
- Project Type: Native Forest Conservation
- Location: South America, Oceania, Africa
Key Impacts
- Emissions prevention
- Wildlife protection
- Habitat conservation
- Soil salinity & erosion prevention
- Community empowerment and sustainable agriculture
Evidence of co-benefits/carbon claims
- 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.
Highlighted project: April Salumei REDD+ project
The April Salumei REDD+ project in the East Sepik Province of PNG has been developed as a nature-based solution, to conserve and sustainably manage this globally significant rainforest, recognised as an exceptional biodiversity hotspot by the Climate Community and Biodiversity Standard, also known as CCB Standard (SCS, 2011).
TEM partners with 164 local land groups (clans), comprising about 15,000 people, who own the rainforest and who have surrendered their rights to commercial logging. These groups depend entirely on the forest for their livelihoods and now work closely with TEM to manage the area sustainably. The purpose of REDD+ projects is to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation as deforestation. As an Indigenous-led solution, TEM has built lasting relationships with traditional landowners who have a shared interest in conserving the forests.
In addition to the carbon emission reduction element of the project, it also has a range of other co-benefits. The April Salumei Working Group, formed to assist with managing the project, provides employment opportunities to the local community. By protecting the forest and biodiversity of the area, this project simultaneously provides a key source of income for traditional owners.
Information source: project annual reports.