Keo Seima REDD+

WCS Cambodia Keo Seima

REDD+

Unlocking Sustainable Finance for Forest Conservation The Story of Keo Seima REDD+

The forests of Cambodia are a vital part of the country's ecological and cultural fabric. These forests are home to an incredible array of wildlife and biodiversity, with over 40% of Cambodia's land area covered in forest. But this vital ecosystem is under intense threat. Deforestation contributes significantly to the global climate emergency and directly affects the livelihoods of 65% of Cambodians who depend on the forest for their basic needs.

The situation is complex and multifaceted, with strong economic motives driving deforestation. Forests are being logged for timber and cleared for agricultural land. But we believe that protecting and preserving Cambodia's forests is essential for people's and nature's well-being.

That's where REDD+ comes in. REDD+ is a powerful solution for reducing carbon emissions by preventing deforestation and promoting sustainable forest management. At Keo Seima, we have been implementing REDD+ in partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia's Ministry of Environment since 2010. Our work has been instrumental in generating Verified Emissions Reductions or carbon credits - sold to corporations and individuals who voluntarily offset emissions as part of their emissions reduction targets.

But REDD+ is not just about protecting forests for their carbon-storage potential. Our work is rooted in community-based conservation, focusing on Indigenous and local communities that depend on the forest for their livelihoods. We work closely with these communities to ensure they receive fair and equitable benefits from REDD+ and have the necessary resources and knowledge to protect their ancestral lands and forests continuously.

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In the face of deforestation, Keo Seima REDD+ is a shining example of how sustainable forest management and communitydriven conservation can work to combat climate change.

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REDD+: A Solution for

Climate and People

REDD+ is an innovative solution that aims to reduce deforestation and forest degradation emissions, reducing CO₂ emissions caused by clearing and exploiting forests. Under REDD+, governments and communities receive performance-based payments to maintain rather than reduce forest cover. In addition, the expanded scope of REDD+ includes moves to sequester additional CO₂ by restoring forest landscapes and promoting sustainable forest management.

Keo Seima REDD+ offers a transformative and sustainable means of directly generating finance to fund one of the most pressing challenges of our time: protecting threatened forest ecosystems. Through our work, we ensure that local communities benefit fully and fairly, with real and durable improvements to their daily lives. Our impact provides a net reduction of carbon emissions and fosters the preservation of one of the world's most biologically diverse forests for generations to come.

12 years of protection and support

167,000 hectares under active

REDD+ protection

21m tons of avoided emissions

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Halting Drivers of Deforestation

Delivering Lasting Co-Benefits

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At the forefront of forest protection in Cambodia, Keo Seima

REDD+ unites innovative climate finance and community-driven conservation.

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Transformative Finance for Communities

Keo Seima REDD+ uses a unique financial benefit-sharing model called Cash for Communities (C4C) to provide sustainable finance directly to local communities. As the only project in Cambodia that distributes money from carbon credit sales directly to communities, C4C has become a transformative source of community investment that drives better forest protection and improves livelihoods.

With C4C, villages can access a collaborative platform to identify long-term development goals and the funds to achieve them. Communities receive an annual base payment and performance-based bonus, which they use to invest in self-selected projects that matter most to them. From constructing community halls and bridges to supporting education and healthcare, C4C enables communities to address the drivers of deforestation while sustaining the environment.

C4C is a long-term program that fosters trust and informed consent with local communities - a crucial part of Keo Seima REDD+'s approach to forest conservation. Our commitment is to empower communities to safeguard their forests, preserve their heritage, and build a sustainable future for generations to come.

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villages supported by C4C

20K+ people benefit  directly

330+ community-selected projects

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Conservation for Communities Our Community-Based Approach

Any attempt to reduce deforestation must work with and for forest communities.

Indigenous communities like the Bunong have acted as stewards of the region’s forest systems for centuries. Forests are essential to the local economy and provide thousands of Indigenous inhabitants with basic needs like medicinal herbs, foods ranging from wild fruits to mushrooms, vital protein sources, and clean water.

We combine a century of wildlife conservation with over a decade of REDD+ experience to protect the stunning flora and fauna of Keo Seima that communities depend on. Our communitycentered approach secures land tenure, supports education and sustainable ventures, and strengthens community forest patrols to safeguard the region's forests and secure the livelihoods of Indigenous and local communities.

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7 Indigenous Community Land Titles secured

4 Community Protected Areas established

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Nurturing Nature

The Bunong Commitment to Forest Protection

The Indigenous Bunong people consider the forests of Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary sacred. Animism, their belief system, revolves around nature's spirits, including the revered forest spirits. Keo Seima REDD+ respects and supports the Bunong's heritage by integrating their traditional knowledge into conservation efforts and protecting the forests that underpin their way of life.

Safeguarding Sacred Forests

Keo Seima REDD+ works closely with Bunong communities, which make up roughly 60% of the project area's population, to protect the forests and the spirits that reside there. Our collaborative efforts help ensure the conservation of vital cultural and spiritual traditions, preventing deforestation and land grabbing from disrupting their unique way of life.

Empowering Indigenous Land Rights

Seven Bunong communities within the project area have been granted Indigenous Communal Land Titles (ICTs), legally recognizing and protecting their traditional lands and resources. Keo Seima REDD+ currently supports eight more communities obtaining ICTs, further empowering the Bunong people to safeguard their heritage and forests.

Fostering Cultural Resilience

Keo Seima REDD+ champions the Bunong people's traditions, like eco-friendly forest care, ancestral medicine, and sacred rites. Encouraging cultural resilience enables Bunong communities to preserve their distinct identity while navigating climate change and deforestation challenges.

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Quality.

Transparency, integrity, and quality are the foundation of our work at Keo Seima REDD+. We take pride in our rigorous monitoring and reporting systems, which are independently verified and ensure that the carbon credits we generate meet the highest international standards.

Our commitment to these values is unwavering, and we remain transparent with all stakeholders and partners in our ongoing efforts to address the complex and pressing issue of deforestation in Keo Seima.