VCS674 REDD+ Indonesia

VCS674 | REDD+, Indonesia is a forest (nature-based) Verified Carbon Standard project protecting biodiversity and supporting local communities.

Project Description: VCS674 | REDD+, Indonesia

Indonesia has the 3rd largest expanse of tropical rainforest in the world but is losing over 2.5 million ha annually.

Much of this cleared rainforest is burnt to convert it into agricultural land, especially for palm oil.

Post‐fire clearing and the draining of peat lands helps make Indonesia one of world’s largest GHG emitters.

The project’s total protected area is 91,215 ha of tropical peat swamp forest.

The area was to be converted into 4 palm oil estates after logging, burning what’s left and systematically draining the peatlands.

This would have released millions of tonnes of above and below ground carbon into the atmosphere.

47,237 ha of the total protected area generates 3.5 million tonnes of carbon credits each year which fund the project.

The project creates a buffer zone along the eastern border of the adjacent world‐renowned Tanjung Puting National Park.

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.

The forest habitat that supports over 50 endangered species, including the Borneo orangutan, would have disappeared without the project.

The project area’s biodiversity includes 361 bird, 122 mammal and 180 plant species, with many highly threatened or endangered.

Palm oil companies cannot appropriate the land of the 14 local forest communities as a consequence of the project.

Carbon finance enables project area protection, local community development and provincial government infrastructure and support.

The local community plans and develops initiatives helping improve their living conditions (e.g. clean water and air, lighting, health, education).

The project distributes water filtration devices, clean stove technology and solar lighting to improve households’ quality of life.

These technologies and increased access to healthcare help to improve health and reduce waterborne and respiratory illnesses.

Early childhood development materials and tools (e.g. 1 laptop/ child program) and improved lighting help educational outcomes.

The project undertakes training and education for locals on project and reserve management as well as environmental conservation.

Actions like putting in place an integrated fire management plan and establishing patrols creates local employment.

The patrols target illegal logging, wildlife poaching and any attempt to create new drainage or logging canals through the area.

Reforestation includes active replanting and forest regeneration in recently burned or formerly logged areas.

The project actively manages the area’s hydrology to maintain conditions that help maintain the peat forests.

Small dams constructed on logging canal exits stop drainage and it is exploring new methods of peat re-wetting and conservation.

Want to know more about VCS674 | REDD+, Indonesia?

The project’s design and monitoring, validation and verification reports are publicly available here: https://registry.verra.org/app/projectDetail/VCS/674