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Carbon avoidance

Protecting forests in Paraguay

Context

The Gran Chaco is South America’s second-largest forest, spanning more than twice the size of California. It is one of the most ecologically diverse regions on Earth, home to a vast range of species and landscapes, including savannahs, rainforests, and wetlands. Despite its global significance, the Gran Chaco is facing rapid deforestation, with Paraguay suffering the most severe losses. Data collected from WRI’s Global Forest Watch showed deforestation increased by 78% in 2019, with a football pitch of forest being destroyed every two minutes in the Paraguayan Chaco. The primary drivers of this destruction are cattle ranching and soybean cultivation, which have led to the clearing of millions of hectares of land.


Chaco by Numbers:

32,000 hectares protected

150 mammal species

500 bird species

5 endangered, threatened or vulnerable species

220 reptile and amphibian species

3,400 plant species

Project timeline

30 Jun 2050

Project end date

27 Aug 2024

Monitoring report issued

18 Nov 2021

First wildlife cameras are installed

1 Jul 2020

Project Start Date

Benefits

Climate

Nature

People

Climate

Nature

People

The Gran Chaco is a major carbon reservoir, with its trees storing tens of millions of tons of CO2. Each square kilometer holds approximately 13,000 tonnes of CO2. Protecting these forests is critical in the fight against climate change. The Corazón Verde del Chaco Project, a REDD+ initiative, aims to halt deforestation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by conserving at-risk forest areas. By maintaining these carbon-rich ecosystems, the project supports global climate stability.

This project has demonstrated accurate reporting of its emissions reductions, with verified data closely matching reported figures. The conservation activities introduced are considered highly additional—meaning they go beyond what would have happened without carbon finance—and the project's baseline assumptions are seen as credible and conservative.

Benefits

Climate

Nature

People

Climate

Nature

People

The Gran Chaco is a major carbon reservoir, with its trees storing tens of millions of tons of CO2. Each square kilometer holds approximately 13,000 tonnes of CO2. Protecting these forests is critical in the fight against climate change. The Corazón Verde del Chaco Project, a REDD+ initiative, aims to halt deforestation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by conserving at-risk forest areas. By maintaining these carbon-rich ecosystems, the project supports global climate stability.

This project has demonstrated accurate reporting of its emissions reductions, with verified data closely matching reported figures. The conservation activities introduced are considered highly additional—meaning they go beyond what would have happened without carbon finance—and the project's baseline assumptions are seen as credible and conservative.

Benefits

Climate

Nature

People

Climate

Nature

People

The Gran Chaco is a major carbon reservoir, with its trees storing tens of millions of tons of CO2. Each square kilometer holds approximately 13,000 tonnes of CO2. Protecting these forests is critical in the fight against climate change. The Corazón Verde del Chaco Project, a REDD+ initiative, aims to halt deforestation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by conserving at-risk forest areas. By maintaining these carbon-rich ecosystems, the project supports global climate stability.

This project has demonstrated accurate reporting of its emissions reductions, with verified data closely matching reported figures. The conservation activities introduced are considered highly additional—meaning they go beyond what would have happened without carbon finance—and the project's baseline assumptions are seen as credible and conservative.

The project is laying the groundwork for the Chaco Med health clinic, with planning efforts underway to improve access to medical care, emergency services, and essential medicine in remote communities. While no healthcare has yet been delivered, these preparations signal a moderate but promising future impact on community health.

The project supports local livelihoods by employing forest guards through “Los Guardianes” and hiring a female wildlife biologist, directly contributing to job creation and skill development in the region. These roles offer stable employment and promote inclusive economic opportunities, indicating a strong and positive impact on this SDG.

The project contributes to climate action by accurately reducing and reporting significant emissions through forest conservation. Its additional activities directly prevent deforestation that would have occurred without intervention, supporting long-term climate mitigation.

Through the protection of diverse species and forest ecosystems, the project plays a critical role in preserving biodiversity in the region. Conservation efforts help maintain natural habitats and promote ecological stability.

About

Status

Status:

Status:

Live

Supported since

Supported since:

Supported since:

2025

Type of project

Type of project:

Type of project:

REDD+

SDGs supported

SDGs supported:

SDGs supported:

3

6

8

12

13

15

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This project is supported in our REDD+ in the impact shop.

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Verifications

Verification: Verified Carbon Standard and Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard

This project is verified by the Verified Carbon Standard and Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard. You can view it on the Verra Registry here.