SCS Validates the Madre de Dios Amazon REDD Carbon Offset Project Under Verified Carbon Standard

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Oct. 22, 2012 — /PRNewswire/ -- SCS Global Services announced the validation of the Madre de Dios Carbon Offset Project under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), thereby allowing the project to generate carbon credits that will finance the protection of key Peruvian rainforest habitat.

The project is part of the Ecological Corridor, Vilcabamba-Amboró, in the Peruvian Amazon, one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots. The area has become vulnerable to deforestation due to two major factors: the transoceanic highway and major population pressure. Completion of the highway connecting western Brazil and eastern Peru has given farmers access to previously remote parts of the rainforest. High agricultural commodity prices have led to a greater economic incentive to expand farming operations in the region, making the timely preservation of forests in the region all the more important. 

This Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) project protects a swath of rainforest nearly 300 times the size of Central Park by financing initiatives that provide an alternative livelihood to subsistence farming and illegal logging, which both rely on deforestation. Project developer Greenoxx Global Environmental Program will use proceeds from the sale of carbon credits to increase field patrolling and satellite monitoring to prevent illegal deforestation, while providing benefits to nearby communities through social programs such as investing in health, education, and alternative livelihoods. The project will also preserve the habitat of four endangered rainforest species and eleven endangered wildlife species.

SCS validated the project according to the VCS, confirming the carbon accounting of the project, as well as its minimum VCS risk (10%) and uncertainty (7.7%). The project has also been validated by SCS according to the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance (CCB Standards), assuring that exceptional social and environmental benefits will be generated. The project has obtained "Gold Level" status, the highest level under the CCB Standard.

SCS Global Services (SCS) has been providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for nearly 30 years. Our programs span a wide cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, retail, and more. An accredited certifier under ISO/IEC Guide 65, we provide services under a wide range of internationally recognized certification programs.  We are a chartered benefit corporation and Certified B Corp™, reflecting our commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.