Paso Pacifico, Carbonfund.org, the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA) and the Rainforest Alliance have announced an innovative reforestation project, Return to Forest, aimed at combating climate change, conserving biodiversity and supporting local communities in Nicaragua. This project uses carbon finance to restore approximately 410 ha of tropical forest in Central America’s most critically endangered ecosystems. The project was awarded the highest standard ‘Gold’ rating of the Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards. Carbonfund.org, a Maryland-based nonprofit carbon offset and reductions provider, assisted with developing the project and is its primary source of funding.
“Return to Forest is a landmark project for Carbonfund.org. It’s not only offsetting 170,000 t of greenhouse gas emissions, but also restoring tropical dry forests which are an endangered ecosystem,” said Carbonfund.org Executive Director Eric Carlson. “We’re very proud to celebrate this accomplishment with Paso Pacifico, the Rainforest Alliance and the CCBA. The partnerships formed between these organisations should serve as model for future reforestation projects that will both positively impact the local community and help mitigate global climate change.” “Small developing nations are often ignored within the climate change debate,” said Paso Pacifico Executive Director Sarah Otterstrom, “yet they are a key piece of the solution. Paso Pacifico’s efforts in Nicaragua capitalise on the great ability of tropical forests to reduce greenhouse gases while also contributing to its sustainable development.” The Rivas Isthmus in southwestern Nicaragua is a rural area that is home to a wealth of biodiversity. Through the planting of some 70 varieties of native tree species, Paso PacÃfico and Carbonfund.org aim to restore a biological corridor in the region and will offset the emission of an estimated 170,000 t of CO2 over the next 40 years. The Rainforest Alliance, a nonprofit conservation organization based in New York, served as the third-party independent certifier to evaluate the project proposal to standards that ensure support for local communities, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. “By earning the highest rating to the CCB standards, Paso PacÃfico and Carbonfund.org have proven this project is designed in a way that will conserve biodiversity and support local communities while mitigating climate change,” said Jeff Hayward, verification services manager at the Rainforest Alliance. “Carbon finance holds great promise in helping restore endangered ecosystems such as Central America’s tropical forests, and the Rainforest Alliance congratulates both organisations on the launch of this ambitious project.” Paso Pacifico is a non-profit organisation that works to protect Central America’s Pacific slope ecosystems. The non-profit implements projects in environmental education, sustainable agriculture, forest restoration and wildlife conservation. Through these actions Paso Pacifico is creating western Nicaragua’s first biological corridor.
For more information, visit www.pasopacifico.org. Carbonfund.org works to reduce the threat of climate change by promoting cost-effective carbon reductions and supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects globally that reduce and offset carbon dioxide emissions. For more information, visit www.carbonfund.org. The Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance sets international standards to evaluate land-based carbon projects that mitigate climate change, conserve biodiversity and support sustainable development. For more information, visit www.climate-standards.org. The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.
