The Valdivian Coastal Reserve is the first carbon project in Chile to receive Climate, Community and Biodiversity (CCB) verification.

Companies that want to use carbon credits to offset their operations’ emissions can invest in CCB-verified projects. The projects can then use the funds from these credits to finance conservation efforts.

The verification guarantees the project not only captures carbon, but also promotes the welfare of local communities and conserves biodiversity.

In 2013, the Nature Conservancy signed an agreement with BHP Billiton to ensure the Valdivian Coastal Reserve is permanently preserved. Rodolfo Camacho, Environment Manager for BHP Billiton says the CCB verification demonstrates the Valdivian Coastal Reserve is achieving what it set out to do.

‘When we committed to this project, we did so to support the conservation of an extremely valuable ecosystem for Chile and the world, and also to contribute to the implementation of the first Chilean carbon credits project under verified standards,’ he says.

‘With this CCB verification we are accomplishing these goals and we are very proud to be part of this initiative.’

The Valdivian Coastal Reserve has huge climate change mitigation potential. The old growth forests store the equivalent of over 800 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare – some of the largest amounts of carbon in the world.

The reserve also generates employment opportunities for nearby communities and provides exceptional conditions for conserving native species.

Lionel Sierralta, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Andes del Sur Conservation Program, says the CCB verification recognises the Valdivian Coastal Reserve’s multi-faceted approach to managing biodiversity.

‘The CCB standard links community work and the management of biodiversity, aspects that we have worked on for years,’ Lionel says.

‘We are proud to have made these projects come to life, enabling the surrounding communities to improve their livelihoods through environmentally-friendly activities, such as eco-tourism and sustainable production practices.’

Read more about the reserve or watch the video below on our YouTube channel.