Climate Impact: An average of 2.78 million tCO2e avoided annually over a 30 year crediting period.
Project Registry Link: Matavén Rainforest Conservation | VCS1566
Matavén Rainforest Conservation
The Matavén project protects 1.15 million hectares of Indigenous rainforest in Colombia, delivering verified emissions reductions and sustainable‑development benefits for local communities.
Project Type
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+)
Registry
VERRA Voluntary Carbon Standard
Unit Type
VCU
Methodology
VM0007 REDD+ Methodology Framework (REDD+MF), Version 1.5
Project ID
VCS1566
Vintage
2019
Why support this project?
The Matavén project protects one of Colombia’s largest remaining tracts of intact tropical rainforest within a legally recognised Indigenous territory. Covering more than 1.15 million hectares, the project addresses clear deforestation pressures driven by agricultural expansion, extractive industries and infrastructure development in the Orinoco region. By directing carbon finance to Indigenous governance and forest stewardship, the project enables long‑term forest protection that would not otherwise be financially viable. It represents a large‑scale, jurisdictionally relevant REDD+ initiative where climate outcomes are directly linked to Indigenous land rights, self‑determination and the protection of culturally and ecologically significant landscapes.
How this Method works
Learn and understand how this project leads to emissions reductions by viewing our Carbon Methods page.
Project Location
Community and Biodiversity Impact
Community Impact: Carbon finance from the Matavén project is reinvested directly into Indigenous‑led development priorities across the Selva de Matavén territory. Benefits include strengthened governance structures, education and training opportunities, improved access to health services, and investment in essential infrastructure such as water, energy and mobility. The project supports secure land tenure for nearly 16,000 Indigenous people, reinforcing long‑term self‑determination and cultural continuity. Community consultation, benefit‑sharing mechanisms and grievance processes are implemented in line with international standards. The project is SD Vista-verified meaning the contributions to Sustainable Development Goals are monitored and independently verified for their impact.
Environmental and Biodiversity Impact: The project safeguards more than 1.15 million hectares of tropical forest spanning multiple ecosystems, including high‑conservation‑value gallery forests and morichal palm systems that are ecologically and culturally significant. By preventing deforestation and forest degradation, the project maintains biodiversity, protects wildlife habitat and preserves ecosystem connectivity across a vast landscape. Ongoing monitoring and conservation activities help maintain forest integrity, reduce deforestation pressure and support the long‑term resilience of one of Colombia’s most important remaining rainforest regions.
SDGs: The project is aiming to contributes to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
value
$4.50/Tonne of CO2e
Tonne of CO2e
94849 in stock
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