On April 18 and 19, hundreds of Brazil nut concessionaires, partners of the REDD+ Brazil nut concessions project, received new economic benefits from their conservation efforts and the resulting sale of certified emission reductions (carbon credits) in the international voluntary market, corresponding to the year 2022.
In addition to the support and activities implemented by the REDD+ Brazil Nut Concessions project, the economic benefits received by its members represent a significant income for the family economies of the Brazil nut-growing community.
The REDD+ Brazil nut concessions project, developed by BAM in partnership with the concessionaire families of Madre de Dios, aims to conserve more than half a million hectares of unique Brazil nut forests, promoting sustainable development and improving the living standards of the Brazil nut community.
To achieve this purpose, the project implements a series of activities such as: a monitoring and surveillance system to prevent, identify and stop deforestation threats in the project area; provides permanent technical assistance to concessionaires to ensure optimal management of their areas; offers permanent training to strengthen the technical and productive skills of the concessionaire families; implements a Science Program to identify and monitor the biodiversity hosted in the Brazil nut forests; provides support to concessionaires to improve the community’s productive and commercial capacity in relation to Brazil nut activity and in the development of other productive activities (reforestation, agroforestry, etc. ); promotes initiatives to improve access to quality basic services, among others.
In addition to the aforementioned activities, the project provides economic benefits directly to the community as a result of the profits generated from the sale of certified emission reductions (carbon credits). To date, US$ 9.9 million has been delivered to the concessionaires families partners in the REDD+ Brazil nut concessions project, as a result of the proceeds generated by the sales of carbon credits.
In a statement letter and through life testimonies shared at the meetings, the concessionaires partners recognized the benefits they are receiving from the REDD+ Brazil nut concessions project, as well as the great impact it is having on the protection of their forests and the wellbeing of their families.
“Bosques Amazonicos has helped us a lot. I was feeling very sick… All this money has helped me to take care of my health; now thanks to this I am getting better, I am healthy now” – Felicita Macochoa.
“Thanks to the project, our life has really improved. I feel very happy and I am grateful. These Brazil nut forests we have are for educating our children, for our health, for improving our situation and the well-being of the whole family.” – Florencia Paredes.
“I receive the economic benefits and I share it with my children… who are in need… who have my grandchildren studying right now. There are 7 children who are studying right now” – Jacinta Huaman.
“The benefit we have with these bonds gives us a lot of economic security. We have enough to spend, to go to our concessions, manage our concessions, for food, to help and support our children, to dress, to come to town, to go for walks and enjoy ourselves. It gives us economic solvency. It has helped us a lot, it gives us a lot of support. – Fructoso Tupac Mamani.
“Now we can harvest Brazil nuts more efficiently. With these profits we can buy our vehicle, make our boundaries, pay our rights as it should be. It helps us to improve our living conditions in the forest. To know that the tree, standing like this, gives you money, gives you a profit where you can live with dignity. That you can support your family with that” – Juan Carlos Grifa.
To date, REDD+ Brazil nut concessions project works to protect more than half a million hectares of Amazonian forests with the participation and commitment of more than 600 concession partners grouped in the Federation of Brazil Nut Producers of Madre de Dios (FEPROCAMD).
By: Valeria Drinot
