Cordillera Azul National Park REDD Project

How it works

The project was born in 2002 and is the result of a collaboration between the Field Museum in Chicago and the local communities adjacent to the park. The goal is to defeat deforestation by strengthening security through the involvement of local communities. The Cordillera Azul area touches more than 200 communities, reaching about 180,000 people. The state of forest health reflects the well-being of communities, being the only source of income for most people.

Where does it develop?

The Cordillera Azul is located in four areas of central Peru: San Martín, Ucayali, Huánuco and Loreto. The extension of the forest protected by the project is 1,351,964 hectares and allows the capture of 1.58 million tons of CO₂ every year.

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The certifications

The benefits also affect biodiversity, thanks to this project 35 new animal species have been discovered and their natural habitat has been protected. Safeguarding more than 3,500 species, including Andean bears and Harpy eagles (both at risk of extinction), has allowed Cordillera Azul to receive the Verra CCB (Climate, Community and Biodiversity) certification.

Benefits

The project has generated countless co-benefits such as access to education, the construction of new infrastructure, the distribution of drinking water between villages and the generation of a secure source of income for members of neighboring communities.

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The project in a nutshell

• Preservation of biodiversity
• Economic and social development
• Improved air and soil conditions