THE REDD+ PROJECT

Tropical deforestation is a major driver of carbon emissions. Halting deforestation could potentially contribute over one-third of the total emissions reductions needed by 2030.

Tropical forests also amongst the planet’s most biodiverse ecosystems and support 66 of the most threatened species on earth.

The Southern Cardamom REDD+ Project protects 497,000 hectares of tropical rainforest in South-West Cambodia which is globally significant for wildlife conservation, ecosystem servicing, and community livelihoods. The project uses global best practices of forest protection and community development to safeguard the forest and prevent more than 3,000,000 tons of carbon emissions annually.

THE REDD+ PROJECT

Tropical deforestation is a major driver of carbon emissions. Halting deforestation could potentially contribute over one-third of the total emissions reductions needed by 2030.

Tropical forests also amongst the planet’s most biodiverse ecosystems and support 66 of the most threatened species on earth.

The Southern Cardamom REDD+ Project protects 497,000 hectares of tropical rainforest in South-West Cambodia which is globally significant for wildlife conservation, ecosystem servicing, and community livelihoods. The project uses global best practices of forest protection and community development to safeguard the forest and prevent more than 3,000,000 tons of carbon emissions annually.

PARTNERS

Together with our partners at the Ministry of Environment and Wildlife Works Carbon the project will be accredited under Voluntary Carbon (VCS) and Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards. This will ensure the project produces genuine carbon emission reductions and supports local communities whilst protecting the fantastic biodiversity of the Cardamom Rainforest Landscape.

PARTNERS

Together with our partners at the Ministry of Environment and Wildlife Works Carbon the project will be accredited under Voluntary Carbon (VCS) and Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards. This will ensure the project produces genuine carbon emission reductions and supports local communities whilst protecting the fantastic biodiversity of the Cardamom Rainforest Landscape.

Find all Project Documents on Verra

For high resolution map of the project area, please click here

Find all Project Documents on Verra

FOREST PROTECTION

Wildlife Alliance has invested over 20 years in helping to conserve natural forests and biological diversity of the Cardamom Mountain Range. The Cardamom Forest Protection Program is the forest and wildlife implementation arm of the REDD+ Projects.

Every patrol station has 14-20 men composed of Ministry of Environment (MOE) Judicial Police Officer (JPO), Provincial Department of Environment (PDOE) Judicial Police Officer, Royal Gendarmerie Khmer (MPs)  and Wildlife Alliance Advisors. Each station has 2 patrol units: Alpha and Bravo.

  • The patrols are led by the Ministry of Environment Judicial Police Officer, usually the Alpha unit. The MOE JPO works for the Ministry of Environment and reports to the Ministry of Environment. They are from the central government and represent the authority of the Ministry of Environment which has judicial authority of all of the Protected Areas and REDD+ Projects of the country, including the entire Cardamom Rainforest Landscape. This means all of the forest belongs to the State. 
  • The Provincial Department of Environment Judicial Police Officer leads the second patrol unit, usually Bravo, and represents the provincial authority. In principle, the PDOE must follow the instructions from the central government (represented by JPO MOE) and not respond to the interventions from Provincial Authority regarding Law Enforcement cases
  • Royal Gendarmerie Khmer (MPs) are patrol members in charge of security and have the authority to arrest any military who commits a forestry crime. They work for Royal Gendarmerie Khmer and report to an overall MP chief in charge of all MPs in the Cardamom Forest Protection Program and to the headquarters of the Royal Gendarmerie Khmer.
  • Wildlife Alliance Advisors, are responsible for organizing logistics, which include vehicle maintenance, organizing food supplies, station repairs, taking rangers to the hospital when needed, and managing the station budget. They also go on patrol with the rangers to make sure the rangers strictly follow our Code of Conduct and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) ensuring that list of “Volunteer Legal Counsels” is always available for those who need pro bono legal services.

FOREST PROTECTION

Wildlife Alliance has invested over 20 years in helping to conserve natural forests and biological diversity of the Cardamom Mountain Range. The Cardamom Forest Protection Program is the forest and wildlife implementation arm of the REDD+ Projects. Every patrol station has 14-20 men composed of Ministry of Environment (MOE) Judicial Police Officer (JPO), Provincial Department of Environment (PDOE) Judicial Police Officer, Royal Gendarmerie Khmer (MPs)  and Wildlife Alliance Advisors. Each station has 2 patrol units: Alpha and Bravo.

  • The patrols are led by the Ministry of Environment Judicial Police Officer, usually the Alpha unit. The MOE JPO works for the Ministry of Environment and reports to the Ministry of Environment. They are from the central government and represent the authority of the Ministry of Environment which has judicial authority of all of the Protected Areas and REDD+ Projects of the country, including the entire Cardamom Rainforest Landscape. This means all of the forest belongs to the State. 
  • The Provincial Department of Environment Judicial Police Officer leads the second patrol unit, usually Bravo, and represents the provincial authority. In principle, the PDOE must follow the instructions from the central government (represented by JPO MOE) and not respond to the interventions from Provincial Authority regarding Law Enforcement cases
  • Royal Gendarmerie Khmer (MPs) are patrol members in charge of security and have the authority to arrest any military who commits a forestry crime. They work for Royal Gendarmerie Khmer and report to an overall MP chief in charge of all MPs in the Cardamom Forest Protection Program and to the headquarters of the Royal Gendarmerie Khmer.
  • Wildlife Alliance Advisors, are responsible for organizing logistics, which include vehicle maintenance, organizing food supplies, station repairs, taking rangers to the hospital when needed, and managing the station budget. They also go on patrol with the rangers to make sure the rangers strictly follow our Code of Conduct and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) ensuring that list of “Volunteer Legal Counsels” is always available for those who need pro bono legal services.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

There is a total of 29 communities in the Southern Cardamom REDD+ Project Zone, with a total of 3,841 families and a population of 16,319. As part of the project’s Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standard verification we have demonstrated that we have:

  • Identified all stakeholders and ensured their full and effective participation in the project

  • Recognized and respected customary and statutory rights
  • Obtained free, prior and informed consent
  • Assessed and monitored direct and indirect costs, benefits and risks
  • Demonstrated net positive climate, community and biodiversity benefits

Community-focused activities implemented as part of the project and identified during community consultation workshops include:

  • An expansion of our award-winning Community-Based Ecotourism projects which have demonstrably improved community incomes and reduced levels of illegal forest clearance.
  • Land demarcation and land tenure registration across all communities ensuring permanent and legal access to land for all community members.
  • Establishment of a community fund for supporting educational scholarships for local students to continue higher education at the provincial and national capitals.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

There is a total of 29 communities in the Southern Cardamom REDD+ Project Zone, with a total of 3,841 families and a population of 16,319. As part of the project’s Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standard verification we have demonstrated that we have:

  • Identified all stakeholders and ensured their full and effective participation in the project

    • Recognized and respected customary and statutory rights
    • Obtained free, prior and informed consent
    • Assessed and monitored direct and indirect costs, benefits and risks
    • Demonstrated net positive climate, community and biodiversity benefits

    Community-focused activities implemented as part of the project and identified during community consultation workshops include:

    • An expansion of our award-winning Community-Based Ecotourism projects which have demonstrably improved community incomes and reduced levels of illegal forest clearance.
    • Land demarcation and land tenure registration across all communities ensuring permanent and legal access to land for all community members.
    • Establishment of a community fund for supporting educational scholarships for local students to continue higher education at the provincial and national capitals.

BIODIVERSITY GALLERY

The REDD+ project area supports more than 66 species of IUCN Threatened or Near Threatened birds, mammals, and reptiles.

BIODIVERSITY GALLERY

The REDD+ project area supports more than 66 species of IUCN Threatened or Near Threatened birds, mammals, and reptiles.