Peru stands as one of the world’s most strategic regions for implementing climate-positive and nature-positive solutions. Across its iconic landscapes— from Machu Picchu to Madre de Dios— the country is redefining how territories can integrate science, governance, community leadership, and verified impact to protect ecosystems while generating sustainable development.
At the center of this transformation is Green Initiative, whose international climate governance model is being adopted by governments, destinations, and conservation partners throughout Peru. A key pillar of this effort is the alliance with Bosques Amazónicos (BAM) and its internationally recognized conservation program: the REDD+ Castañeros Project, one of the most relevant private REDD+ initiatives worldwide for climate and social impact.
Together, these organizations are demonstrating how Peru can convert climate ambition into real, verifiable, and community-led implementation.
Peru as a Global Model for Climate & Nature Positive Implementation
Green Initiative works across multiple ecosystems and governance levels to accelerate:
- Carbon-neutral and climate-positive destination models
- High-integrity greenhouse gas mitigation strategies
- Nature-positive territorial development
- Scientific biodiversity monitoring
- Community-led conservation
- Multilevel climate governance for tourism and protected areas
This integrated approach positions Peru as a global reference for implementation, not only commitment.
The REDD+ Castañeros Project: A Cornerstone of Amazonian Conservation
Developed by BAM in collaboration with more than 800 Brazil nut–harvesting families, the REDD+ Castañeros project protects over 600,000 hectares of unique and megadiverse Brazil nut forests in Madre de Dios. For more than 15 years, this alliance has safeguarded ecosystems of extraordinary importance while strengthening local livelihoods.
This model directly supports Green Initiative’s mission:
evidence-based climate action, measurable biodiversity protection, and community-centered development.
🌍 1. Climate-Positive Impact
Through avoided deforestation and strengthened forest governance, the REDD+ Castañeros project generates high-integrity carbon credits with global relevance.
Key climate outcomes:
- +2.5 million tons of CO₂ emissions avoided annually
- 3,000 hectares of deforestation prevented each year
- Integrated monitoring, control, and forest surveillance systems
- Permanent legal and technical support for concession holders
These achievements align with Green Initiative’s standards for traceability, transparency, and MRV integrity across territories.
👨👩👦 2. Community Impact & Inclusive Development
The project’s social dimension is one of its greatest strengths. BAM works side by side with families that have protected Brazil nut forests for generations, providing incentives, tools, and opportunities for sustainable development.
Social impact highlights:
- Direct economic benefits to forest families
- Sustainable production alternatives to improve household income
- Continuous training in forest management and governance
- Educational opportunities, including the Programa de Becas Castañeras, enabling students to attend UNAMAD
- +300 new families incorporated in recent years, showing growing community engagement
This mirrors Green Initiative’s philosophy: climate solutions must empower people first.
🐾 3. Biodiversity Protection & Scientific Innovation
The REDD+ Castañeros territory is among the most biologically rich regions on Earth.
Outstanding biodiversity contributions:
- +900 species protected, including key Amazonian fauna and flora
- Scientific expeditions via BAM’s Programa de Ciencia
- Community-inclusive biodiversity monitoring
- Technological tools for forest and wildlife protection
These efforts strengthen the nature-positive goals that Green Initiative promotes globally:
conservation based on science, technology, and local knowledge.
Why This Alliance Matters for Peru and the World
Global demand for high-integrity climate solutions is rapidly expanding. Territories that can demonstrate:
- measurable results,
- scientific rigor,
- transparent governance,
- and community inclusion
are becoming the most attractive for climate finance, regenerative tourism, and international investment.
The alliance between Green Initiative, BAM, and the REDD+ Castañeros community places Peru at the forefront of this movement, proving that real climate action must reconnect people, forests, and economic opportunity.
From the Amazon to the World: Implementation That Sets a Benchmark
Through this partnership, Peru advances:
- Deforestation-free supply chains
- Climate-positive tourism models
- Carbon-neutral destination strategies
- Community-led forest governance
- High-integrity carbon markets
- Regenerative development frameworks
This is the pathway from ambition to implementation — and from implementation to global leadership.
About Green Initiative
Green Initiative is an international platform dedicated to climate governance, decarbonization pathways, nature-positive implementation, and ecosystem restoration, working with governments, World Heritage sites, conservation programs, and local communities. Its portfolio spans iconic destinations from Machu Picchu to Bonito, Cristo Redentor, Cabo Blanco, Angkor Wat, and the Galápagos, supporting them in achieving real, verifiable, and community-centered climate impact.
REDD+ Castañeros in Focus: A Photographic Story by Walter H. Wust
This article was written by Virna Chávez from the Green Initiative Team.
