In the world’s largest rainforest, the Purus Project involves numerous local and international partners that will protect nearly 90,000 acres from slash-and-burn forest clearing and prevent a million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
Avoided deforestation projects are critical because about 15-20 percent of climate change is attributed to deforestation, which reduces the Earth’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide. Moreover, fallen trees decompose and release methane, a heat-trapping gas about 23 times more potent than CO2.
The Purus Project was successfully validated to the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and to the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard (CCBS) with Gold Distinction in January 2013. The Project was then successfully verified to the VCS and CCBS in December 2013, October 2014, and November 2015. The Project is now being reviewed for its fourth verification to assess the Project’s performance from January 1st, 2015 to December 31st, 2015.
To review the complete Project Documents and to submit comments between Wednesday, June 22nd and Friday, July 22nd, please visit: https://www.climate-standards.org/2012/10/20/the-purus-project-a-tropical-forest-conservation-project-in-acre-brazil/
The Purus Project is a Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) project that will preserve the area’s rich biodiversity, including scarlet macaws, Amazon River dolphins and squirrel monkeys. There are also a variety of social projects and activities to mitigate deforestation pressures and benefit the local communities. In addition, the Purus Project will provide essential ecosystem services such as erosion control and water filtration.
Climate, community and biodiversity benefits delivered between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015 included, but were not limited to: a reduction in the Project Area’s deforestation; preservation of biologically diverse habitats; construction of an onsite health clinic; acquisition of a boat to provide free transport for the communities; installation of potable water system at the Project’s headquarters; and completion of land titling to first few community members.