The project initially anticipates planting several thousand hectares of land before scaling to 120,000 hectares and approx. 50 million trees on degraded cattle land in silvopastoral systems, making the ARR project one of the largest of its kind.
Asunción, Carmelo Peralta, Paraguay, 24.11.2023: The Impact Reforestation in the Chaco Project (VCS Project 2496), has now completed VCS validation and registration at the Verra Registry. This Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) grouped reforestation project with start date 01 January 2022 is planting Pongamia Pinnata combined with several common native tree species such as Quebracho Colorado, Labón, Guajayvi sa´yju, and Algarrobo throughout the Chaco Region of Paraguay on degraded cattle land areas. The project site visit audit and all validation works were done by Validation and Verification Body (VVB), Aster Global Environmental Solutions.
Local project developer Investancia made its first strides towards ARR carbon project development and implementation when the company teamed up with technical partner Ostrya Conservation to establish feasibility studies for ARR carbon projects in the Paraguayan Chaco.
Prior to the commencement of the carbon project, Investancia verified the suitability of various tree species in the region, developed propagation and planting protocols, determined best native species, and entered into DRSF (Real Right to Forest Surface) lease contracts with local landowners in Chaco.
The project name ‘Impact Reforestation in the Chaco Project’ was chosen due to the countless benefits and positive impact contributions it brings to local communities, biodiversity, and the environment. In addition to sequestering carbon dioxide on degraded lands the selected tree species improve pastures, and have the potential to produce seedcake (protein) seed oil (SAF/HVO raw material/feedstock) derived from its non-edible seeds.
Earlier this month, Investancia’s newly expanded Santa Rosanna tree nursery and R&D center in Carmelo Peralta, Alto Paraguay was officially inaugurated with Santiago Peña, president of Paraguay, as the guest of honour, in the presence of members of the Government cabinet, as well as the President of INFONA (National Forestry Institute of Paraguay), and the Minister of MADES (Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Paraguay). The nursery plays a crucial role in the production and supply of the many millions of trees needed for the Project, and has a current annual production capacity of over 6 million trees.
At full scale, it is estimated that the Impact Reforestation in the Chaco Project’s net greenhouse gas emission removals will amount to more than 30 million tonnes of CO2e over the Project lifetime.
“We believe that with our Chaco reforestation project that matches carefully selected perennial trees species with the natural environment, we create value and real impact at scale for all stakeholders” said Marcel van Heesewijk, CEO and Founder at Investancia.
Investancia is currently rolling out its first phase of field preparation and tree planting which is being financed through the carbon presale for future deliveries of Verified Carbon Units.
Investancia is an equal opportunity employer that will significantly boost the local economy and employment opportunities throughout the Alto Paraguay region in the coming decades. The company currently employs 125 staff, of which 92% are from the local area, 43% women and 25% from surrounding indigenous communities. The reforestation program increases the income of local communities by providing access to well-paying jobs and registration in the local social security system to gain access to health insurance.
Email: press@investancia.com
Tel: +31 26 37 23 0 71
