Project Information

Protecting Orangutans and Rainforest Biodiversity Through Carbon Markets.

The Big Idea

Working with experts from the field of natural resource management, the Orangutan Foundation intends to survey the Belantikan Hulu region, Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. This is a critical area of forest, home to the largest unprotected population of wild orangutans. Utilising the mechanism of carbon markets we want to make conserving these forests financially attractive. Funding is required to commence the initial phase of the project, assessing the amount of carbon stored in the Belantikan Hulu forests.

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Details

Orangutans are threatened with extinction because their habitat is declining at an alarming rate, 80% in the last 20 years. Habitat destruction causes the death of several hundred orangutans every year and the capture of another 100 which end up in illegal trade or rehabilitation.

Orangutan conservation has many positive effects. Not only does it helps to secure the survival of orangutans and the 1000's of species that share their highly diverse tropical forest habitat, it also helps to reduce global warming by preventing the further destruction of the rainforests. This ensures the forests continue to provide ecological services for the welfare of local and global communities.

Indonesia has one of the world’s highest deforestation rates, thus making it the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, with 75% of its emissions coming from deforestation. The simplest and probably most effective action to reduce global warming is to stop deforestation.

There is an increasing threat to forest cover where our work is focused in Central Kalimantan, due to increased price and demand for palm oil and metal commodities. By offering a realistic economic alternative to the current destructive practices we hope to protect this forest and its important orangutan population whilst also helping to reduce global warming. Working with experts from the field of natural resource management the Orangutan Foundation would like survey the Belantikan Hulu to assess the amount of carbon stored in the forests. The project is designed to gain strong support from rural communities and local government by providing them a voice and tangible benefits from sustainable forest management and conservation. This is an exciting new approach to conservation offering long-term solutions and benefits for all.

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Ways to Give

Project Contact Details x

Ashley Leiman OBE - Director/Trustee

Tel: 020 7724 2912
Email: ashley@orangutan.org.uk

Registered Charity No: 1095660

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