Why support this project?
The April Salumei REDD+ project is located in Papua New Guinea, a country which contains ~7% of the world’s biodiversity in less than 1% of the world’s total land area.
As a result of the project, 603,712ha of virgin tropical rainforest is being conserved against planned deforestation, preventing ~22.8 million tonnes of GHG emissions from being released into the atmosphere. The project also protects vital habitat for many endangered species including the palm cockatoo, the bird of paradise and the southern crowned pigeon.
The project channels climate finance to autonomous Indigenous groups, through the conservation of one of the most ecologically distinct forest communities in the world. The project also promotes culturally inclusive, sustainable community development via an agreed Sustainable Development Plan.
Project Location
The project protects more than 603,712 hectares, of virgin tropical rainforest in Papua New Guinea.
Community Impact
164 distinct clan groups and 9000 indigenous people live in the project area, covered by the project’s Sustainable Development Plan (SDP).
The SDP is driven by a team of local and international specialists, who work with local communities and stakeholders to identify a long-term suite of local investments that attend to local needs and aspirations, encompassing health, education, training, economic development (including sustainable agriculture) and local employment to support conservation and biodiversity outcomes. Projects to date include:
Light up April Salumei
- 1000 Sustainable, solar powered lights provided to 30 schools, 26 health centres, aid posts, families and cultural centres
- Created 8 meaningful jobs
- Provided 6 skill development traineeships
Eagle Wood Project
- Employed experts in nursery management that trained representatives from each Landowner Company as forest community stewards
- Created 10 meaningful jobs
- Facilitated the planting of 10,000 trees
Biodiversity impact:
The project activities deliver vital biodiversity conservation outcomes. PNG contains ~7% of global biodiversity across just 1% of the globe’s landmass. April Salumei is one of the top 10 most ecologically distinct areas on the planet home to a staggering level of biodiversity, including threatened species such as:
- Palm Cockatoo
- Bird of Paradise
- Southern Crowned Pigeon
These species are protected from the most prominent key threatening process in the region – deforestation.
The Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA) has previously awarded the project a gold medal for, ‘exceptional biodiversity benefit.