VCS1689 REDD+ Cambodia

VCS1689 | REDD+, Cambodia is a forest (nature-based) Verified Carbon Standard project protecting biodiversity and supporting local communities.

Project Description: VCS1689 | REDD+, Cambodia

The project lies on the southwestern edge of the Prey Long Wildlife Sanctuary (PLWS) in central Cambodia.

PLWS is one of the largest remaining areas of lowland evergreen forest in Cambodia.

It is an extremely rare example of lowland evergreen tropical forest that contains an abundance of globally threatened species.

A part of the Indo-Burma Hotspot which is one of the world’s 34 biodiversity hotspots.

The area is one of the most threatened forest landscapes in Cambodia.

Agro-industrial plantations and uncontrolled small-scale conversion to agriculture by migrants are the key drivers.

The Project Area (PA) is 66,645 ha.

Within the PA is the Project Accounting Area (PAA) which is 41,196 ha (62% of PA).

The PAA is a forested area where the carbon accounting occurs.

The project’s carbon credits are only verified from the PAA, not from across the entire PA.

The Project Zone (PZ) provides a 5 km buffer around the PAA.

All the villages in this buffer influence PAA land-use while a rising population increases the deforestation drivers.

These drivers include high demand for new agricultural and cash-crop land, illegal logging, fuel gathering and charcoal production.

Reducing local communities’ forest clearing and logging while also improving the villagers’ livelihoods are key strategies to reducing forest loss.

Sustainability Beyond Carbon

There is more to offsets than just carbon.

Each VCS carbon credit is a tonne of verified climate benefit, no matter the type of project.

This carbon offset project provides multiple sustainability co-benefits beyond just carbon and helps link your climate response to improved sustainability.

Expanding the community ranger force creates additional employment opportunities and increases long-term employment.

Supporting local business development while improving the value of non-timber forest products to local collectors generates revenue.

Enhancing technical skills and supporting private sector investment in agriculture helps create deforestation-free commodities.

Improving the farming techniques of local communities to enhance food security while also providing alternative sources of income.

The project is improving and strengthening the social infrastructure between the provincial government and local communities.

Enhancing local participation and management of forest resources.

The project is supporting improvements to community health care system and development of clean energy for the local communities.

Protecting wildlife corridors connecting viable populations of threatened species with large home ranges (e.g. clouded leopard, dhole and bear).

Providing a buffer for the Prey Long Wildlife Sanctuary.

Want to know more about VCS1689 | REDD+, Cambodia?

The project’s design and monitoring, validation and verification reports are publicly available here: https://registry.verra.org/app/projectDetail/VCS/1689