Protecting forests and their climate function
Mai Ndombe REDD+ Project – Forest Protection in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The forest conservation project in the Mai Ndombe region of the Congo Basin aims to preserve large areas of tropical rainforest over the long term.
By protecting existing forest areas, the project prevents emissions that would otherwise result from deforestation and forest degradation. The forests remain intact as natural carbon sinks, while local land-use practices are gradually shifted toward more sustainable forms. In this way, the project helps avoid greenhouse gas emissions and safeguards the climate function of one of the world’s most important forest ecosystems.
A project that demonstrates how forest protection can make a meaningful contribution to climate action — designed for the long term, implemented transparently, and delivering measurable impact.
Technical project data – VCS934
Key Facts at a Glance – Forest Conservation Project
| Parameter | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Project location | Democratic Republic of the Congo; Maï-Ndombe Province (Congo Basin) | Project Description, Section A.2, pp. 9–11 |
| Project type | REDD+ forest conservation project to avoid deforestation and forest degradation (AFOLU) | Project Description, Section A.1, pp. 6–8 |
| Project standard | Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) | Validation Representation, page 1 |
| Additional standard | Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standard (CCB), Triple Gold Level | CCB Project Description, p. 2 |
| Project developer | Wildlife Works Carbon (in cooperation with local and governmental partners) | Project Description, Project Proponents, p. 5 |
| Project area | Approx. 300,000 hectares of tropical rainforest | Project Description, Section A.2, p. 10 |
| Approach / methodology | Forest conservation through REDD+ measures, sustainable land use, and community-based protection approaches | Project Description, Section B, pp. 12–16 |
| Baseline scenario | Continued deforestation driven by agricultural expansion, fuelwood use, and logging | Project Description, Baseline Section, pp. 17–20 |
| Methodology | VM0009 – Avoided Deforestation and Degradation (VCS version) | VM0009 – Avoided Deforestation and Degradation (VCS version) |
| Project start | Project activities since 2011; formal start phase according to VCS registration | Project Description, Section A.1, p. 7 |
| Crediting period | Active crediting period under VCS; renewable | VCS Project Details & Monitoring Reports |
| Project status | Registered and verified VCS project, active | Verification Representation, pp. 1–2 |
| Annual emission reductions | Emission avoidance through reduced deforestation; project-specific per monitoring period | Monitoring Reports, e.g. pp. 6–12 |
| Main impact mechanism | Avoidance of CO₂ emissions through the preservation of existing forest carbon stocks | Project Description, Impact Section, pp. 24–27 |
| Monitoring & verification | Regular monitoring of forest areas, deforestation rates, and emissions; independent verification | Monitoring & Verification Reports |
| Additionality | Economic feasibility enabled by revenues from the carbon market | Project Description, Additionality Section, pp. 28–30 |
| Permanence & risk management | Safeguarded via the VCS buffer account to cover forest and climate-related risks | AFOLU Buffer Account Documentation |
| Carbon Credit Rating | Currently no external carbon credit rating published | No rating agency publication |
| Carbon Credit Rating Type | No project-specific external assessment available (e.g. BeZero, Sylvera, Calyx) | – |
| Article 6 Authorization (Paris Agreement) | No authorization under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement has been issued | Verra Registry |
| CCP Status (ICVCM) | No Core Carbon Principles (CCP) classification published to date | ICVCM |
| Management of Double Counting Risks | Emission reductions are uniquely attributed to the project and registered in accordance with VCS rules | VCS Rules |
| Permanence of Emission Reductions | Long-term emission avoidance through the conservation of existing forest carbon stocks | Project Description |
| Risk Management (AFOLU) | Safeguarded through the VCS AFOLU buffer pool to cover risks such as fire, degradation or land-use change | AFOLU Buffer Account |
| Monitoring Approach | Regular monitoring of forest areas, deforestation rates and emissions, combined with independent third-party verification | Monitoring & Verification Reports |
| Project Lifetime / Long-term Design | Long-term forest conservation project with renewable crediting periods | VCS Project Details |
| Contribution to National Climate Strategy | Contribution to emission avoidance in the AFOLU sector, without national accounting under Article 6 | Project Documentation |
What the project can contribute
Here we summarize what the project is actually intended to achieve and which practical improvements it can enable.
- 1
Preventing deforestation in practice
The project protects large areas of tropical rainforest in the Mai Ndombe region from deforestation and degradation. Planned logging and land-use changes are prevented, ensuring that emissions do not occur in the first place.
- 2
Preserving carbon stocks
The forests remain intact as natural carbon sinks. Carbon is stored in forest biomass instead of being released into the atmosphere. The climate benefit results directly from conserving existing forest cover.
- 3
Creating alternative livelihoods
In cooperation with local communities, the project promotes sustainable land-use practices and alternative income opportunities. This reduces economic pressure on the forest while strengthening local livelihoods.
- 4
Stabilising ecosystems
Protecting the forests safeguards key ecological functions such as biodiversity, water regulation and soil protection. Intact forest ecosystems increase the region’s resilience to climate change.
- 5
Securing long-term protection
Beyond immediate forest conservation, the project establishes long-term structures to ensure the continued protection of the area. These include community participation, institutional frameworks and active risk management.
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Global climate relevance
Preserving forests, avoiding emissions
The project protects existing rainforest areas in the Mai Ndombe region and prevents emissions that would otherwise result from deforestation and forest degradation. Carbon remains stored in the forest instead of being released into the atmosphere as CO₂.
Climate protection with global relevance
The forests of the Congo Basin are among the world’s most important carbon stores. Their preservation has an impact far beyond the region and contributes to the stability of the global climate system.
Preventing irreversible losses
Once destroyed, tropical rainforests cannot simply be replaced. The project therefore acts early, preventing emissions that would be impossible to reverse at a later stage.
Enabled by climate finance
Long-term forest protection is only possible through revenues from the carbon market. These funds support conservation activities, monitoring and local implementation. Without this support, pressure on forest resources would be significantly higher.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – The relevant and the complementary contributions
Beyond avoiding greenhouse gas emissions, the Mai Ndombe Project contributes to ecosystem protection, the stabilisation of local livelihoods and the sustainable use of natural resources. In doing so, the project supports key objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The most significant contributions relate to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Additional goals are supported in a complementary or indirect way. Some SDGs are considered marginal contributions, providing supportive effects but not forming the core focus of the project.
The project protects large forest areas from deforestation and degradation. As a result, substantial amounts of carbon remain stored in forest biomass over the long term, preventing emissions that would otherwise occur through land-use change.
Contribution: Avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions through long-term forest conservation.Preserving the rainforest in the Mai Ndombe region protects biodiversity-rich ecosystems and safeguards important habitats for numerous plant and animal species. At the same time, essential forest ecosystem functions are maintained.
Contribution: Protection of biodiversity, ecosystems and natural habitats.The project creates income opportunities through forest protection activities, monitoring, local project implementation and alternative land-use practices. This strengthens economic perspectives beyond deforestation.
Contribution: Support for local employment and income generation.Sustainable land-use concepts and accompanying measures reduce pressure on forest resources. The focus is on long-term conservation rather than short-term exploitation.
Contribution: More resource-efficient and responsible use of forest areas.Stable forest ecosystems indirectly support livelihoods and regional stability, particularly for rural communities within the project area.
Contribution: Indirect support for stable living environments, without a direct urban development focus.
How CO₂ savings are generated
Forests and soils store carbon. When they are protected, reforested or managed more sustainably, this carbon remains stored and does not enter the atmosphere as CO₂. These avoided emissions can be measured and form the basis for CO₂ certificates.
Land use and forestry projects change how an area develops over time. Without the project, forests would degrade or be cleared, or soils would store less carbon. With the project, more carbon remains stored — or additional carbon is captured, for example through newly planted trees.
Depending on the region, vegetation and soil type, there are established factors that indicate how much carbon a forest or soil can store on average.
For each project, the expected development of the area without the intervention (baseline) is compared with the carbon that is retained or additionally stored through the project activities. The difference represents the avoided or newly captured emissions. These values are verified, regularly updated — and form the basis for issuing CO₂ certificates.
Context and transparency
This forest conservation project is registered under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and is subject to regular monitoring and independent verification. The reported emission reductions are based on audited monitoring reports and recognised methodologies for calculating avoided emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
The project exemplifies climate action in the land-use sector by linking forest protection with measurable climate impact. Its approach is transparently documented, technically verifiable and designed for long-term conservation.