REDD Project Implementation in the Peruvian Andean Amazon

Geographical location:

Latin America/Caribbean

Latin America/Caribbean > South America > Peru > - Local people -

Summary

This project aims to contribute to the effective conservation of biodiverse forest lands in the Peruvian Andean Amazon. These forests are subject to high pressures generated by rapid change, which threatens their survival.

The reduced emissions from deforestation and degredation (REDD) project seeks to introduce new financial mechanisms which assure financial sustainability for the conservation of natural protected areas, indigenous territories and productive forests.

Background

Peru has 70 million ha of tropical forests covering almost 60% of the country. In terms of tropical forest it is 4th in the world after Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Indonesia.

Peru’s varied geography and climate give rise to an extraordinarily rich species diversity. The country contains the peaks of the Andes and is the source of the Amazon River.

Peru hosts about 25,000 plant species, of which 30% are endemic. It also boasts the largest number of fish species and is home to 332 amphibian species, 460 mammals and 365 reptiles.

Unusually, almost 90% of the primary forest is still relatively pristine. An extension to the national system of protected areas has seen an increase in the area of land protected, rising to 19.1 million ha, equivalent to 14.86% of the national territory.

However, there are serious threats which threaten this forest cover. The annual rate of deforestation is estimated to be 260,000 ha. It is further estimated that land use change is responsible for an annual emission of 127 million tonnes of CO2. Around 50% of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are due to deforestation.

REDD is a concept by which reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation can be compensated through payment of carbon credits. REDD implementation can bring about huge benefits to the national government and the local communities which leading the way in the conservation of forests.

Providing financial incentives for forest carbon has the potential to make forest conservation more economically viable. REDD could potentially become one of the first large scale manifestations of payments for environmental services (PES) mechanisms.

Objectives

Overcome technical, legal, political, institutional and social obstacles for the successful implementation of REDD projects in Peru.

Solution

Prevent the rise in GHG emissions caused by deforestation and provide protection for the tropical forests of Peru.

Achievement

* Key Issues for REDD implementation addressed

* The Government of Peru presents a consensuated REDD position during COP15.