Project Overview
Selva de Urundel is the first REDD+ project in Argentina to be registered under Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and certified to the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards (CCB) at the Gold Level for exceptional biodiversity benefits.
Located adjacent to Calilegua National Park, Selva de Urundel REDD+ project protects nearly 47,000 (46,947.80) hectares of Upper Yungas rainforest in Salta Province, Argentina. Together, they form a 120,000-hectare biological corridor in one of South America’s southernmost tropical rainforests, at the convergence of the Amazon, Andes, and Chaco ecosystems.
This forest faces ongoing degradation from fires started by neighboring communities, illegal logging, hunting, and unauthorized livestock grazing. The project aims to expand the corridor to connect with Baritú National Park in the future.
How credits are created and verified
- Project type: AFOLU → REDD+ (avoided unplanned deforestation)
- Methodology: VM0015 (VCS methodology for unplanned deforestation)
- Verified under VCS with ex post issuance (credits issued after monitoring/verification).
- Credits are issued to the Verra registry only after independent audit.
- Initial issuance: ~376,000 tCO₂e for vintages 2021 and 2022.
Key benefits
Climate
- Protects carbon stocks in a highly biodiverse forest, avoiding on average ~317,000 tonnes of CO₂e emissions annually over the 30-year project term.
Biodiversity (CCB Gold Level)
- Conserves the Yungas “cloud forest,” a recognized biodiversity hotspot and Argentina’s second most diverse ecosystem.
- Habitat for threatened species including jaguar, tapir, puma, and numerous bird and reptile species.
- Recognized under CCB Gold for “Exceptional Biodiversity Benefits,” signaling rigorous independent review of conservation outcomes.
Community
- Local initiatives in the nearby towns of Urundel and Colonia Santa Rosa include: jobs and training in sustainable forest management and fire prevention; workshops on gardening, composting, and waste reduction; Implementation of community vegetable gardens for food security; and support for local waste management and health initiatives.
- As of mid-2024, ~9 local jobs created and over 150 people trained in sustainable practices.
Fire risk management
- Early detection systems using satellite monitoring and machine learning
- Training and equipping of fire brigades and community patrols
- Regular coordination with local authorities to prevent and combat wildfires.
A Demonstration Project for Argentina
Selva de Urundel not only supports the protection of nearly 47,000 hectares of native Yungas forest — it is also the first REDD+ project in Argentina to be registered under Verra’s VCS and CCB standards. By proving that international best practices can be successfully applied in Argentina, the project creates a demonstration effect: showing landowners, local authorities, and investors that high-quality, independently verified REDD+ projects are viable in the country. Its success may pave the way for further forest protection initiatives across Argentina, multiplying the climate, biodiversity, and community benefits over time.
