REDD+ Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Supporting the sustainable development of an irreplaceable natural heaven

THE REGION AND THE COMMUNITIES

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is an irreplaceable and unique ecosystem, declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1979

Kogui, Arhuaco and Wiwa are the indigenous peoples that have inhabited this territory in harmony with nature for more than 2000 years.

THE PROJECT

REDD+ Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta works with the communities to protect this unique area from deforestation

Legal and illegal mining and illicit crops endanger the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, turning it into a red zone of deforestation in Colombia.

Arhuacos, Wiwas and Koguis are the indigenous peoples inhabiting this irreplaceable ecosystem. The project works collaboratively with them in order to protect and conserve a large area of natural forest against deforestation.

The project aims to support the sustainable development of these communities in order to strengthen their culture and social organisation to exercise proper governance of their territories.

In a period of 30 years, the project seeks to significantly reduce CO2 emissions.

Having transparency and fairness as a priority, the project is based on the alliance between the indigenous peoples as project owners, the entity Conservation International Colombia ensuring fair agreements, and ALLCOT providing the technical support to achieve the project goals.

POSITIVE OUTCOMES

Project activities and goals

Environmental Impact

Protect hundreds of thousands of hectares of natural forest, representing a significant portion of the territory of the Sierra, reducing millions of tonnes of CO2 over 30 years

SOCIAL Impact

Strengthen the culture and social organisation of the community to exercise proper governance of their territories

Economic Impact

Implement sustainable productive projects aligned with the life plans of the communities, contributing to the improvement of their quality of life

THE ALLIANCE

A partnership based on equity and transparency

This project is carried out with local communities in partnership with ALLCOT and Conservation International

Arhuacos, Wiwas and Koguis as project owners

They determine the territories to be protected and define the investments they will make with the resources acquired through the sale of carbon credits.

Conservation International Colombia and its knowledge of the region

The NGO brings its experience and knowledge in working in the Sierra Nevada territory and with the indigenous communities to ensure fair and transparent agreements

ALLCOT’s technical expertise

Provides technical support to communities for the design and development of the actions and procedures necessary to consolidate the investment in their territory.

THE TESTIMONY

Making forest conservation a reality

With his inspiring words, Fabio Montero, Governor of the Wiwa Cabildo, tells us what is being sought with the project and what is expected to be achieved

A unique and irreplaceable territory

The protection of this region is crucial due to the richness and uniqueness of its biodiversity:

ALLCOT, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

How we work?

Together with Conservation International (CI), we have been traveling through the territory for more than two years in the company of the indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Discover the challenges we faced, from navigating tough terrain to tackling technical issues, logistics, and cultural differences.

“For us, nature is important because it is life itself, without the territory there would be no Wiwa and there would be no humanity

– Fabio Montero, Governor of the Wiwa cabildo at La Guajira and Magdalena

The project nowadays

In December 2023 our team visited the project to see its progress.

Click to see a report of our visit!

REDD+ Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the media

Colombia’s Sierra Nevada protected from Climate Change thanks to ALLCOT’s alliance with NGO Conservation International

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