October saw further impactful projects supported through our Ecologi contributions. These projects not only benefit the environment and reduce carbon emissions but also enhance the lives, livelihoods, and well-being of local communities. The Peatland Restoration and Conservation project in Indonesia supports the well-being and economic opportunities of 49,000 people across 39 villages. Meanwhile, in eastern Colombia, nearly 16,000 Indigenous people benefit from projects linked to the protection of the Matavén forest.
Peatlands, a unique wetland type, are vital ecosystems that store vast amounts of carbon—up to 20 times more than forests. Despite covering only 3% of Earth’s surface, they hold more carbon than all other vegetation combined. However, when drained or cleared, they release carbon dioxide, intensifying climate change. Indonesia contains 36% of the world’s tropical peatlands, which face increasing threats from plantation expansion.
The Katingan Mentaya Project in Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo, seeks to protect and restore 149,800 hectares of peatland. Through satellite monitoring, fire management, and rewetting efforts, the project safeguards biodiversity, including the critically endangered Bornean orangutan.
Supporting 49,000 people across 39 villages, the project promotes local development through initiatives like women-led businesses, healthcare, and education. This conservation project embodies the belief that forest health, wildlife, and community well-being are intertwined, ensuring sustainable outcomes for both nature and people.
Colombia, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, is home to an estimated 10% of global species and over 40,000 plant varieties. In the Vichada department, located in the Orinoco River basin near Venezuela, deforestation has been a major challenge, with around 500,000 hectares lost between 1990 and 2005.
The Matavén REDD+ project in this area protects 1,150,212 hectares of tropical forest within the Indigenous Matavén Reserve. By preventing deforestation pressures caused by incoming farmers, the project has effectively reduced emissions.
Nearly 16,000 Indigenous people benefit from project initiatives, including employment as forest rangers and sustainable livelihoods that work with, rather than deplete, the forest. The project also provides essential services, such as education, healthcare, sanitation, and food security, and is certified to Verra’s Climate, Community, and Biodiversity Standard (CCBS), demonstrating its commitment to supporting both local communities and nature.
See our profile here to learn more about the projects we support. If you’d like to be a part of the Ecologi community and contribute towards projects like these, you can sign your business up with Ecologi or purchase one of our webcasting services.