The National Sanctuary Manglares de Tumbes (SNLMT) represents the largest area of mangrove forest in Peru.
The protected area is located on the border with Ecuador, spans 29.72 km2 altogether and is home to 148 species of birds, 105 species of fish, and several other species of molluscs, crustaceans and mammals. Many of these species are indigenous to the sanctuary, rare and endangered.
Complementing its richness in biodiversity is its impressive ability to capture up to five times more carbon dioxide than tropical forests.
However, according to NASA’s Earth Observatory, humans have caused the loss of more than a quarter of known mangrove forests over the last 50 years. The Tumbes Sanctuary itself faces a multitude of threats to its conservation, which include worsening water quality, pollution, deforestation and urban development.
The BNC solution
The Consorcio Manglares del Noroeste del Perú (CMN), composed of six artisanal fisher’s organisations, in partnership with the Chilean Centro de Estudios de Sistemas Sociales (CESSO) hope to better articulate the value of the area on the voluntary carbon market, while improving climate adaptation and resilience efforts and supporting eco-tourism.
Being able to quantify the potential of the National Sanctuary Manglares de Tumbes as a source of carbon credits will provide local communities with a new income stream and fund ongoing management of the site.
How BCAF supports this initiative
With the support of BCAF funding, the project will verify the carbon sink potential of the area and pursue carbon credit certification. This will allow the project to sell certificates in the voluntary market. In addition, BCAF assistance will help to fund a master plan for the financial management of the area, as well as a sustainability and business plan to guide the future stewardship of the area.
The new income stream will allow local communities to fund ongoing management of the sanctuary and develop further sustainable business initiatives. In addition, the project will contribute to increased climate adaptation and resilience, reduced pollution and improved water quality for aqua culture while providing eco-tourism opportunities.
Impacts created
Nature
Nature
Mangrove conservation and recovery will boost climate change resilience, contributing to mitigation through carbon sequestration and adaption through ecosystem services. It will also positively impact the provisioning of marine species such as the spiny pustulose ark clam, mangrove crabs and others.
People
People
Artisanal fishers will see an income increase from new revenue streams and the overall livelihoods of nearby communities will be improved by the creation of quality jobs, sustainable tourism activities and healthy environmental conditions. 40% of people from the sanctuary will also receive training.
Business
Business
The Plan Vivo Additionality Assessment approach will help the sale of carbon credits by demonstrating that the project’s activities result in further carbon sequestration. Other income streams include revenue from artisanal fishing, shrimp farming, a processing plant and pharmaceutical research.
More information
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