Description

The Southern Cardamom REDD+ Project (SCRP) is a United Nations initiative that aims to mitigate climate change, maintain biodiversity, and create alternative livelihoods. The project will protect a crucial part of the Cardamom Mountains Rainforest Ecoregion - one of the 200 most significant locations for biodiversity conservation worldwide. The SCRP will directly support the livelihoods of 21 villages in nine communes around the project area. Eight additional villages in four communes are eligible to receive educational scholarships. These communities represent approximately 3,957 families and 16,495 individuals. Key Highlights: - The SCRP will avoid the emission of approximately 12 million t CO2e during the first monitoring period and over 115,000 million t CO2e over the lifetime of the project. - The project will generate sustainable livelihood opportunities for the local community, including direct employment and alternative income-generating activities. - Additional programs will address food security, improve health and education facilities, as well as raise environmental awareness. - Biodiversity co-benefits will be achieved through greater protection of the ecosystem and critical habitat for significant populations of many IUCN listed species. - The project will protect the Southern Cardamom National Park and Tatai Wildlife Sanctuary. The SCRP is a crucial project that will protect a vital part of the world's biodiversity. The project's climate benefits are substantial, with avoided emissions of millions of t CO2e over its lifetime. The project will also generate sustainable livelihood opportunities for the local community while protecting the environment. Additionally, the project will address food security, improve health and education facilities, and raise environmental awareness. The protection of the Southern Cardamom National Park and Tatai Wildlife Sanctuary is essential to safeguarding the habitats of many IUCN listed species, including the critically endangered reptiles Siamese crocodile and Southern river terrapin.