VCS Biodiversity Conservation Reserve in Borneo, Indonesia

The Rimba Raya reserve protects 64,500 hectares (an area the size of Singapore) of tropical peat swamp forests in the Kalimantan region in Indonesian Borneo. The project plans to avoid more than 130 million tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifetime which is equivalent to removing one million cars from the world’s highways every year. The location of the project is of vital importance due to its high carbon capture potential and biodiversity abundance, this is coupled with the growing pressure the area receives from the palm oil industry and the scarce protection received from local authorities. 
 
Rimba Raya sits between a vast area of palm oil crops and the Tanjung Puting National Park acting as a buffer zone. Within the reserve, more than 663 species of flora and fauna have been identified, from which 65 have been recorded as critically endangered by The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), including the Bornean Orangutan, the only great ape outside of Africa. The project has already restored 5,000 hectares of degraded peat swamp forest and avoided the conversion of another 15,000 hectares compared with the baseline scenario. The project is also aiming to restore the mangrove extension within its limits and has planted half a million mangrove seeds to date.
 
The Rimba Raya reserve project also supports nine surrounding villages and almost 3000 households via social programmes that aim to spread quality education, decent work, food and water security and the eradication of poverty among others. In fact, the Rimba Raya reserve has become the first project of its kind to contribute to all 17 UN Sustainable Developments Goals. 
 
By supporting the Rimba Raya project through the purchase of carbon credits you not only foster the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere but support a great number of socio-economic and environmental co-benefits arising from the project’s activities.
 
Summary of benefits
130 million tonnes of carbon emissions avoidance and removals
Protection of 663+ species of which 65 are critically endangered
Restoration of peat swamp forest and mangroves
Six fire prevention towers also providing surveillance against loggers
Decently paid work to 200+ local men and women 
Social programmes helping 3000 households
 
Ecompensate supports the Rimba Raya project through the purchasing of its credits. In September 2021 Ecompensate acquired 300 of credits from the project.
 
To learn more please contact us at info@ecompensate.org