At the event, Biofix BIC participated in various sessions, where attendees discussed the challenges, opportunities, and benefits of carbon markets, especially focusing on REDD+ projects.
Bogotá, 04th October 2023. In the framework of the 5th Climate Summit of Colombia and Latin America, held in Cali, community leaders from Biofix projects in the country talked with attendees of the event about the challenges, obstacles and benefits that REDD+ projects have generated in their communities, as well as added their voice by signing the statement issued to the public to strengthen their projects, their governance and continue to perceive the economic and environmental benefits that they have had over the past years.
The Summit left several messages, among them: the high gap between current deforestation and national targets was highlighted, which makes it essential to implement mitigation strategies in a public-private-community partnership; the importance of continuing to provide tools to local communities (indigenous and Afro-descendant) to engage in a fluid conversation in relation to REDD+ projects and to strengthen capacities in the management of resources so that they continue to be allocated to the development of the territories, among other issues.
At the end of the event, the communities made a call to the National Government through a signed declaration (supported by one of the community leaders of the Yaawi IIpana REDD+ project, located in the department of Guaviare), so that, together with them, decisions related to REDD+ projects are taken; that the value of the carbon tax is collected directly by them and thus continue protecting the forests and their ecosystems; that the carbon markets are strengthened to continue protecting their forests and their ecosystems; that education and support mechanisms are generated in the development of projects, clear laws and regulations that promote the independence and protection of communities and biodiversity; that carbon markets are strengthened to continue protecting their territories and that no measures are taken that impact communities without their participation, among others. Likewise, the general call focused on taking into account the experience that communities and developers have lived throughout this time in the development of these REDD projects. Yaawi IIpana REDD+, ubicado en el departamento del Guaviare), para que, junto con ellas, se tomen las decisiones relacionadas con proyectos REDD+; que el valor del impuesto al carbono sea percibido directamente por ellos y así continuar protegiendo los bosques y sus ecosistemas; que se generen mecanismos de educación y apoyo en el desarrollo de los proyectos, leyes y normas claras que promuevan la independencia y protección de las comunidades y la biodiversidad; que los mercados de carbono se fortalezcan para continuar protegiendo sus territorios y que no se tomen medidas que impacten a las comunidades sin su participación, entre otros. Igualmente, el llamado general se enfocó a que se tenga en cuenta la experiencia que las comunidades y desarrolladores han vivido a lo largo de este tiempo en el desarrollo de estos proyectos REDD.
BIOFIX will continue to work hard to strengthen its projects, to continue to contribute in a comprehensive way to the fight against the climate crisis, while simultaneously providing socio-economic benefits to the communities related to its projects.