First forest project on Sabah, Borneo registered under
the VCS
First tropical Improved Forest Management project, enabling revenue
generation from forest rehabilitation
ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS (September 6, 2011) – Face
the Future, a Dutch forest carbon project developer in cooperation with the
Sabah Foundation, has registered the world’s first tropical Improved Forest
Management project under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS). The project, known as “Infapro”, is situated
on 25.000 hectares of threatened Orangutan habitat in Sabah, Borneo.
The pioneering Infapro project was designed as a
rainforest rehabilitation project that operates through the avoidance of
re-logging and the rehabilitation of degraded forest via enrichment planting,
cutting of climbers and vines and liberation thinning. The project has proven
successful, as it has resulted in the recovery of forest, in scientifically
supported biodiversity enhancements and achieved long-term carbon sequestration.
VCS registration is an important milestone that shows
there is a viable business case for forest rehabilitation. While it took almost
three years to reach this milestone, including the development of a new carbon
accounting methodology, now that carbon credits have been issued the investment
has proven worthwhile.
The Infapro project is connected to the Danum Valley
Conservation Area, a unique primary forest serving as a habitat for species
such as the Orangutan, the Borneo elephant and the Sumatran rhino. “By
rehabilitating this magnificent forest we enlarge the habitat for these
species. The VCS registration and issuance of carbon credits enables us to
continue with our rehabilitation activities.” said Denis Slieker, Managing
Director of Face the Future.
The project validation and verification was performed
by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS).
“We were pleased to be able to scientifically confirm
the forest carbon benefits of such a unique project,” said Dr. Robert Hrubes,
Senior Vice President of SCS. “The Infapro project is a great example of an
innovative approach to addressing climate change and habitat protection”.
“As the project has been operational for several years, the VSC
registration is a reward for all partners and individuals involved. Many years
of research, development and hard work have resulted in 11.000 hectares already
being rehabilitated and 14.000 hectares more to come. For this we are very
thankful to the management and local staff of the Sabah Foundation.” concludes Denis
Slieker.
About Face the Future
Face the Future is a forest carbon project developer
with projects worldwide. The organisation was founded in 1990, since then over
50.000 hectares of new forests have been established and over 100.000 hectares of existing forests
are managed under a rehabilitation or REDD+ scheme. Face the Future combines
extensive knowledge of carbon certification, forestry and carbon markets with
tangible projects, which are developed in close cooperation with local
organisations. With offices in the Netherlands and Ecuador, Face the Future has
marketed over 2 million carbon credits to date. www.face-thefuture.com.
About the Verified Carbon Standard
The
Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) is the most widely used standard for
accounting for carbon reductions and removals by projects in the voluntary
market. Projects developed to VCS criteria have demonstrated practical
ways to curb emissions across a range of sectors, generating over 60 million
tons of carbon credits to date. The VCS Program is widely recognized for its
role in pioneering new tools for developing carbon credits with environmental
integrity and lasting value. www.v-c-s.org.
About Scientific Certification Systems
Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) has been
providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability
certification, auditing, testing and standards development for more than 25
years. SCS programs span a wide cross-section of industries, recognizing
achievements in green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture,
forestry and retailing. www.scscertified.com
Contact information
Face the Future
For more information contact Denis Slieker or Martijn
Snoep
Denis
Slieker Martijn
Snoep
+
31 10 7540 2050 +
31 10 7540 2050
+
31 6 524 55 639 +
31 6 208 89 194
Verified Carbon Standard
For more information contact VCS Communications
Director Andrea Welsh at Awelsh@v-c-s.org
SCS
For more information contact Dr. Robert J. Hrubes, Senior
Vice President
+1 510 4528000