Proof of REDD+ success: after more than 15 years of operation, REDD+ Castañeros remains committed to improving the quality of life of the community. On April 29 and 30, new economic benefits were delivered to partner families from the sale of carbon credits from the conservation project.
The Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) is undergoing a process of change, of transition, focused – among other aspects – on strengthening international methodologies to ensure a more accurate and transparent assessment of the climate impact generated by projects operating under this mechanism.
While progress is being made in perfecting these tools, the threats facing forests continue to increase, affecting the integrity of our most valuable ecosystems and the livelihoods of vulnerable communities that depend directly on these territories.
In this scenario, the concessionaire families, partners in the REDD+ Brazil Nut Concessions project (REDD+ BN), are firmly committed to the conservation of the Amazon forests. Through the constant benefits they receive thanks to the REDD+ project, they demonstrate that it is possible to advance environmental protection and local development in a context of transition to the carbon market.
“I would tell customers to continue to embrace this REDD+ Brazil Nut Concessions project because it is a benefit for all of us Brazil nut producers. It is very good for us. We take care of our forest. With the bonds, the REDD+ BN project supports us and we take care of it. We don’t cut anything, but we protect the environment. The REDD+ BN project is very good for us because in this way, we, the “Castañeros”, are taking care of our forest.” – Juan de la Cruz Cusihuamán Condori, REDD+ BN partner.
This reinforces the conviction that the REDD+ mechanism generates tangible results and effectively contributes to directing resources towards its fundamental purpose: forest conservation. This reflects the continuity and strength of the REDD+ project’s impact, from its inception to the present, even in contexts of transition and regulatory evolution.
“I would like to invite people to continue buying carbon credits from our forest to continue breathing clean air. We conserve our forest, we don’t do any depredation; on the contrary we take care of our forest and we do reforestation many times as well, since our forest is the lungs of the world.” – Franz León Sánchez, REDD+ BN partner.
As part of the activities carried out by the project to reduce the threat of deforestation in its forests (climate), improve the livelihoods of the chestnut community (community) and protect the unique flora and fauna in the area (biodiversity), on April 29 and 30, 2025, REDD+ Brazil Nut Concessions made a new delivery of economic benefits to its Brazil nut partners, as a result of their conservation efforts and the sale of carbon credits (CO2).
The event began with a training workshop for project partners, focused on the evolution of the international voluntary carbon market and the opportunities presented by the new consolidated REDD+ methodology (VM0048). In line with its commitment to achieving the highest standards of quality and integrity, REDD+ Brazil Nut Concessions is preparing to be one of the first projects in the world to adopt this methodology, with the objective of updating credits for the new vintages (2021, 2022 and 2023). While this transition is expected to imply a more conservative approach to generation calculations, it also opens the door to increased credit valuation and greater international demand. Brazil nut partners expressed their support for this strategic decision and their enthusiasm for keeping the project at the forefront of the market.
“I am very happy with the REDD+ BN project because, thanks to its benefits, it has helped us a lot. The distance is far. Before it took us 3-4 days to get to the forest and now thanks to the project we can get there in 1 day. We have road maintenance and we were able to buy a vehicle to have better access to our chestnut concession and to be able to contribute to all the chestnut growers. I feel very grateful with everything.” – Merlit Econema, daughter of REDD+ BN partner.
“We are an association in REDD+ BN and we comply with the requirements they establish. The economic benefit has helped me to clean the roads of my concession and improve my home. I would tell the other castañeros to join so that someday they can receive their benefits, and to the carbon investors, I would tell them to keep buying (carbon credits) because we are a serious project here in Madre de Dios, Peru.” – Anturino Villafuente Blanco, REDD+ BN partner.
As a result of the strength and sustainability of REDD+ Brazil Nut Concessions, over the years the area conserved has doubled (+600,000 hectares!) and more families have joined the project (+300 families), which also represents more protected species of flora and fauna.
“I am a partner in BAM’s project, where I receive a benefit, which is very important to support my family. I am a little unhappy because now that there are fewer sales of carbon credits, the economic benefit is reaching us very little and sometimes it is not enough to support us because we have a large family. We are dedicated to the work of the Brazil nut, and this year the production has been very low, so there is no solvency, because in our forest we can not do agriculture, because we are only dedicated to the Brazil nut and to protect it (the forest). We found out that the companies that buy are no longer buying and that is why our profit no longer reaches us, and if it reaches us, it is very little. Please, those who buy the carbon credits, the big companies, we purify the polluted air, please buy, so we can receive our benefit and to be able to maintain and take care of the forest well conserved and to be able to help our family, our children, our grandchildren, because I am already very old. Since I was young I have taken care of this forest and I am getting old, but my grandchildren or children will be my heirs. REDD+ BN is something important because we conserve for many years. Some of us are already getting old in this place, and we take care of it, and now we have learned about this great benefit so that we can continue taking care of our forest.” – José de la Cruz Carrasco, REDD+ BN partner.
More about REDD+ Brazil Nut Concessions
In addition to economic support, the families of the REDD+ Castañeros conservation project in Madre de Dios receive direct support and benefits from the activities implemented by the project to meet its CCB objectives: climate, community and biodiversity.
To date, REDD+ Brazil Nut Concessions protects +600,000 hectares of Brazil nut forests and its extraordinary biodiversity together with +800 partner Brazil nut families. Learn more about the activities implemented in our 2023 Annual Report here!
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About BAM
Bosques Amazónicos (BAM) is a pioneer in nature-based solutions (NBS) with more than 18 years of experience developing REDD+ conservation and ARR reforestation/restoration projects in Peru. Through private investment and strategic alliances, BAM promotes the protection of our Amazon, sustainable investments, carbon footprint offsetting and the sustainable development of our society.
