Matavén
Colombia | 1,150,212 ha of tropical forests
Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD +)
Avoids an average of 3,622,352 tCO₂ per year from being released into the atmosphere
REDD+ Project Resguardo Indígena Unificado–Selva de Matavén.
This project prevents deforestation by protecting 1,150,212 hectares of natural forests in the Indigenous Reservation of the Matavén Forest in Colombia, an average of 3,622,352 tons of CO2 per year is avoided from being released into the atmosphere. Meanwhile, safeguards biodiversity and provides education, healthcare, sanitation, food security, and several co-benefits for 15,932 indigenous people.
ACATISEMA and MEDIAMOS F&M, the developers, designed and developed eight activities in collaboration with RIU-SM indigenous communities to halt deforestation, safeguard RIU-SM's natural tropical forests, preserve its rich biodiversity, and enhance the lives of indigenous people. In addition, they worked on six special programs to address local needs and improve indigenous people's livelihoods, focusing on areas such as health, healthcare, education, sanitation, and housing, among others.
REDD+ Matavén is internationally validated for 30 years (2013-2042) under Verra standards; Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate, Community, and Biodiversity (CCB) ensuring the integrity, quality, credibility, and transparency of the project at an international level. This certification also grants the project a quantity of Carbon Offsets, allowing them to sell these offsets and generate revenue to finance the project.
The project is officially recognized at both national and international levels. Their actions align with the objectives of Colombian forest programs, national regulations and laws, as well as international conventions, agreements, and obligations such as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The project meets the requirements established under the Cancun Safeguards, adopted by the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). They adhere to the practices of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). They actively promote decision-making processes through the participation of RIU-SM indigenous peoples, ensuring transparency and equality.
Resguardo Indígena Unificado – Selva de Matavén (RIU-SM) is located east of the Colombian Orinoco high plain, at the eastern end of the Department of Vichada, municipal jurisdiction of Cumaribo, between the following geographical coordinates:
North: 4º56'23''N - 3º45'48''N
West: 70º16'50''W - 67º46''23W.