Protecting this area of forest is critical to avoiding the release of the largest forest-based store of carbon in the world into the atmosphere.

The Katingan Project is the world’s largest emission reduction forest project, preventing the release of 7.5 million tonnes of CO2 on average annually - the equivalent of removing 2 million cars off the road each year!

Prior to this project being developed, the peat soils within the project area were under threat of conversion to a commercial Acacia plantation which would have led to the clearing, draining and burning of the land. This would have released the carbon stored deep underground (up to 13 metres) in the peat soils, which has built up over 26,000 years!

The project provides a commercially viable alternative to the clearing of the land through carbon financing (i.e. the sale of verified carbon credits), whilst protecting this precious ecosystem.

This project has positive impacts on the climate, local community and biodiversity of the protected area. Its many benefits include:

• Reduces 7.5 million tonnes CO2e emissions each year.
• Serves as a model of sustainable land use and management in the region, leading to potential wider adoption of its practices.
• Employs 500 individuals including 400 local community members to protect the forest from fire and to plant trees.
• Protects the habitat of 67 mammals; 167 birds; 49 reptiles; and 111 species of fish, including many endangered and critically endangered species.
• Provides micro-finance loans (984 and counting!) and vocational training to local entrepreneurs working on sustainable businesses, further helping local communities to transition away from traditional unsustainable practices and products.

We’ve partnered with Cool Effect to bring you this amazing project. The team at Cool Effect is made up of carbon financing experts, advisors and activists all working to reduce carbon emissions.

This project is verified by Verra VCS - an external audit body that certifies climate projects at scale. Verra develops and manages standards that are globally applicable and advance action across a wide range of sectors and activities.