SDG – Asocarbono

Third report on the Contribution of Colombian Carbon Market Projects to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

REDD+, F/R and Energy Sectors 2024

Introduction

This report presents, through aggregate indicators, the contribution of carbon market projects in the sectors of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+), Afforestation and Reforestation (A/R) and the energy sector to the achievement of sustainable development objectives. To this end, indicators associated with the main sustainable development objectives to which projects in these sectors contribute were constructed and applied. The detailed description of the methodology used to construct the indicators is presented in Annex 1. Methodology.
The analysis was based on the database of 189 Asocarbono GHG mitigation projects for the three prioritized sectors. The time period taken as a reference for this study was the period between 2015 and 2023. Taking these criteria as a reference, for the period, a total of 161 projects from the following sectors were analyzed: REDD+: 52 projects, F/R: 74 projects and Energy: 35 projects.
To construct the indicators for these projects, the information contained in the Project Design Documents (PDD), verification reports and summaries published in the carbon standards was used, information corresponding to projects that were not taken into account for the first report was added, and data from the 2023 indicators was corrected. Additionally, specific information was designed and compiled in the forms sent and completed by project developers/owners.

How do carbon market projects contribute to achieving key sustainable development goals?

Carbon market projects in the sectors of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+), Afforestation and Reforestation (A/R) and the Energy sector contribute especially to the following eight (8) SDGs:

Carbon market projects in Colombia, especially those for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) and Afforestation and Reforestation (A/R), play a crucial role in reducing poverty in rural families and communities by investing income obtained from the sale of verified emission reductions. These projects not only finance activities with a positive social impact, but also allow for the direct participation of families in the economic benefits generated.

Contribution to the national goal: contribution to the reduction of multidimensional poverty through income generated by the projects and payment for actions to mitigate climate change.

Indicators of contribution to SDG 1:

2021	2022	2023	2021	2022	2023
(18 projects)	(26 projects)	(34 projects)	(11 projects)	(19 projects)	(19 projects)
39.169	40.903	43.501	57%	77%	78%
Number of families benefiting from carbon market projects			Proportion (%) of income invested in activities with social benefit

Forestation and reforestation projects in the carbon market in Colombia incorporate forestry, agroforestry and silvopastoral systems that promote the sustainable production of agricultural and livestock products and raw materials. These initiatives not only improve the productivity and sustainability of natural resources, but also strengthen the food security of rural families.

Contribution to the national goal: By integrating sustainable agricultural practices, these projects contribute significantly to food security and sustainable agriculture in the country.

Indicators of contribution to SDG 2:

2021		2023		2021	2022	2023
(3 projects)		*(15* projects)		*(12* projects)	*(34* projects)	*(73* projects)
69,569 m3 of wood	3,900 l of milk	36,462 tons of food	70.084 m3 of wood	55.134 hectares	389.403 hectares	423.751 hectaress
Quantity of sustainable food and agricultural raw materials				Area with agricultural activities

REDD+ projects in Colombia play a crucial role in the conservation and restoration of forests and ecosystems that provide vital ecosystem services, such as water regulation and quality. These projects contribute significantly to the SDGs and seek to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Contribution to the national goal: since 2021, the projects have protected and restored 810 thousand hectares of water ecosystems, reflecting an impact on the sustainability of water resources in the country.

Indicators of contribution to SDG 6:

2021	2022	2023	2021	2022
(2 projects)	(3 *projects*)	*(14* projects)	(2 projects)	(3 projects)
389.944 ha	401.618 ha	743.501 ha	63.328 ha	67.605 ha
Area (ha) protected of water-related ecosystems by carbon market projects during the period			Area (ha) established or restored with water-related ecosystems by carbon market projects during the period

Energy sector projects in the carbon market in Colombia are driving a significant shift towards renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. These efforts directly contribute to the achievement of this goal, which seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Contribution to the national goal: Through the generation of clean energy, these projects not only reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but also support the national goal. During the period from 2021 to 2023, more than 163 thousand GWh of renewable energy have been generated, with a constant growth in installed capacity that reached 2,497 MW in 2023.

Indicators of contribution to SDG 7:

2021	2022	2023	2021	2022	2023
43.758,64 Gwh	54.491,18 Gwh	65.078,2 Gwh	2.262 MW	2.372 MW	2.497 MW
Amount of energy generated from renewable sources by carbon market projects during the period			Amount of energy generated from renewable sources by carbon market projects during the period

Carbon market projects in Colombia generate income, boosting various sectors of the economy, as well as being a source of formal and quality employment in both cities and rural areas, promoting inclusive and sustainable growth, as well as full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Contribution to the national goal: During the 2021-2023 period, more than 69 thousand equivalent jobs have been created, of which nearly 10 thousand correspond to full-time jobs. This contribution is significant to the reduction of the unemployment rate in Colombia.

Indicators of contribution to SDG 8:

2021	2022	2023	2021	2022	2023	2021	2022	2023
40.307	64.338	69.662	3.156	4.617	9.812	2.302	2.838	2.967
Number of equivalent jobs created during the period analyzed			Number of full-time jobs created during the period analyzed.			Number of part-time jobs created during the period analyzed

These projects contribute significantly to the fight against climate change, contributing to the reduction and removal of greenhouse gases (GHG). These efforts support the fulfillment of national goals and seek to raise awareness and combat climate change and its effects in the country with urgent measures.

Contribution to the national goal: Between 2021 and 2023, these projects have verified the reduction of more than 32.5 million tons of CO2 equivalent and the removal of more than 1 million tons of CO2 through sinks.

Indicators of contribution to SDG 13:

2021	2022	2023	2021	2023
7.960.508 tCO2eq	12.884.642 tCO2eq	32.514.074 tCO2eq	495.953 tCO2	1.000.607 tCO2
Number of verified greenhouse gas emission reductions			Number of removals by greenhouse gas sinks

In Colombia, REDD+ projects play an important role in the conservation and restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems, seeking to conserve and sustainably use oceans and marine resources.

Contribution to the national goal: Between 2021 and 2023, these projects have protected more than 10 thousand hectares of marine areas and restored another 14 hectares, thus supporting the national goal of improving the quality of protected marine waters by 2030.

Indicators of contribution to SDG 14:

2021	2022	2023	2021		2023
7.129 hectares	7.788 hectares	10.707 hectares	7 hectares	14 hectares
Area (ha) conserved with marine-coastal ecosystems by carbon market projects during the period			Established or restored area with marine-coastal ecosystems

Projects to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, along with reforestation and afforestation, play a crucial role in the conservation and restoration of forest ecosystems. These projects not only promote the sustainable use of forests, but also contribute significantly to the preservation of biodiversity.

The areas in which these initiatives are developed are home to a rich variety of species, many of which are in danger of extinction in the country. Thus, these projects advance the fulfillment of the fifteenth sustainable development goal (SDG 15), which seeks to protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and stop and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss. Through the implementation of these initiatives, the resilience of ecosystems is strengthened and the conservation of vital natural resources for future generations is ensured.

Contribution to the national goal: REED+ and F/R projects have contributed to the conservation of 12.2 million hectares of ecosystems of national importance, as well as species of fauna and flora that are under threat of extinction.

Indicators of contribution to SDG 15:

2021	2022	2023	2021	2022	2023
2.659.368 hectares	6.780.504 hectares	12.195.473 hectares	10.000 hectares	10.000 hectares	11.503 hectares
Area (ha) of forest ecosystems conserved by carbon market projects during the period			Area (ha) conserved with mountain ecosystems by carbon market projects during the period

2021	2022	2023	2022
397 specie	615 specie	426 specie	5.017.826 USD
Number of endangered species conserved by carbon market projects			Investment (USD) in carbon market projects during the period