Noel Kempff Mercado Climate Action Project, Bolivia
Case Study C0262
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| Agency | The Nature Conservancy |
| Donor/support agency | Fundacion Amigos de la Naturaleza AEP PacifiCorp British Petroleum |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Protected area |
| Geographic coverage | Bolivia |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/landscape |
| Development focus | Local communities |
| Conservation goals | Protect 1.5 million acres of Noel Kempff Mercado National Park |
| Poverty reduction goals | Inprove the sustainability of local livelihoods |
Summary
Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, home to unique species such as jaguars, giant river otters and nine species of macaw, is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. The park encompasses five important ecosystems ranging from Amazonian rainforest, gallery forest and semi-deciduous tropical forest to flooded savanna and cerrado grasslands. Through a unique partnership with the Government of Bolivia, Fundación Amigos de la Naturaleza (FAN) and three U.S. energy companies, Noel Kempff Mercado Climate Action Project is helping protect 1.5 million acres of Noel Kempff Mercado National Park in northeastern Bolivia. The project, the largest effort of its kind, is expected to reduce, avoid and mitigate up to 17.8 million tons of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over 30 years by avoiding logging and agricultural conversion of the land. Sustainable development is also one of the primary goals of the project. The project provides an opportunity to work extensively with the local communities in and around the national park to ensure that their livelihoods flourish and that local communities' needs are integrated into protected area management.
Conservation impact
Funds from the project were used to terminate logging rights on two million acres of government-owned land. This land was then incorporated into an adjacent national park. The park expansion doubled the safe range for species requiring large tracts of land, including the maned wolf and jaguar. In addition, the cessation of logging has averted soil erosion and future agricultural runoff into the park's many rivers.
Poverty reduction impact
Fundacion Amigos de la Naturaleza has hired approximately half of the park guards from the local communities. In addition, the project is establishing revolving funds for microenterprises, such as heart-of-palm plantings and agroforestry projects.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Payments for conservation services
Sustainable Use
Devolution or reinstatement of local rights over/access to resources
Reference 1
http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/work/art4253.html
Related records above this one:
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC) (Organisation O0078)