Rio Bravo Climate Action Project, Belize
Case Study C0263
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| Agency | The Nature Conservancy |
| Donor/support agency | Programme for Belize Detroit Edison Nexen PacifiCorp Suncor Utilitree Carbon Company Wisconsin Electric Power Company Cinergy |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Protected area Productive landscape |
| Geographic coverage | Belize |
| Locality | Northwest Belize |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/landscape |
| Development focus | Local communities |
| Conservation goals | Conservation and sustainable management of more than 153,000 acres of tropical forest |
| Poverty reduction goals | Improve local livelihoods |
Summary
The Nature Conservancy's Rio Bravo climate action project involves the conservation and sustainable management of more than 153,000 acres of tropical forest in northwest Belize. The Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area is situated amid the biologically rich Mayan forest. It is part of a million-acre corridor that is key to biodiversity conservation in Central America and one of the Conservancy's top conservation priorities. The project site was under imminent threat of conversion to agriculture before the project started. It is estimated that the project will reduce, avoid or mitigate up to 8.8 million tons of carbon dioxide over 40 years by preventing deforestation and ensuring sustainable forest management. The project is one of the first fully funded forest-sector projects implemented under the U.S. Initiative on Joint Implementation. Programme for Belize, TNC's partner organization in Belize, manages the project and private reserve. A number of energy producers provided $5.6 million in funding for the first 10 years of the 40-year project.
Conservation impact
Programme for Belize has purchased 33,000 acres of upland forest and added it to the existing protected area. Estimated carbon emissions avoided from this component are up to 7.2 million tons of carbon dioxide over 40 years.
Poverty reduction impact
Various project activities provide jobs and training in forestry, forest management and park security. Improved road maintenance and other infrastructure improvements benefit communities that border the area.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Payments for conservation services
Provision of alternative livelihoods
Reference 1
http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/work/art4247.html
Related records above this one:
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC) (Organisation O0078)