Projects
Sierra Leone
Overview
Our first project is located in the Sherbro River Estuary of Sierra Leone. The project area has the potential to cover more than 74,000 hectares of coastal habitat and will include both mangrove conservation and restoration.
The project is founded on a pre-existing 13-year trusted relationship with local communities and includes partnership with 11 chiefdoms in the area, The Government of Sierra Leone (through the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of the Environment) and numerous local and international partners including The Nature Conservancy, The Ocean Foundation, GreenCollar and others.
The project has been registered with Verra as a pipeline project under development in connection with the Verified Carbon Standard.
Impact Highlights
CO2 Avoidance. Through a combination of mangrove conservation and restoration, the project has the potential to reduce more than 16 million tons of CO2e over the next 30 years.
Conservation and Restoration. The project area has the potential to encompass up to approximately 74,000 hectares of coastal ecosystem for conservation and restoration activities, including highly vulnerable mangrove habitat.
Financial Inclusion. Proceeds from the sale of carbon credits will be shared equitably and transparently with underserved communities within the project area, resulting in increased household income, funding for community projects and infrastructure, and greater economic stability.
Stable Employment. The project will create long-term opportunities for employment within communities, with a target of 50% of new employment roles to be filled by women.
Protection of Endangered Species. The project will rigorously assess, protect, monitor and augment the populations of threatened species that are dependent on coastal ecosystems in the project area, including mandatory biodiversity reporting through the Climate, Community, and Biodiversity standard.
Key Points
Sherbro River Estuary, Sierra Leone
Project Location
Project Area
Up to 74,000 hectares
The project falls within Sectoral Scope 14, Agriculture, Forestry, Land Use Combined Categories:
REDD+ and Conservation of Intact Wetlands, with the type of activity being Avoiding Unplanned Wetland Deforestation
Afforestation, Reforestation and/or Revegetation and Restoration of Wetland Ecosystems
Project Type
This grouped project is expected to fall within the scope of Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard Program (VCS) outlined in section 2.1 of the VCS Standard v.4.4
The project is seeking registration with Verra’s Climate, Community, and Biodiversity program
Certification Standards
Pre-feasibility assessment completed
Full feasibility study in progress
Project Design Document drafted
Listed as a pipeline project with the Verra Verified Carbon Standard
Community mangrove conservation awareness and education programs underway
Integrated geospatial analysis and validation fieldwork ongoing
Pilot programs for cookstoves, integrated woodlot training, and income diversification operating
Milestones
Documents
UN Sustainable Development Goals Targeted
