In the heart of the Meta department, Colombia, Karbon-X Corp. is driving an ambitious conservation program called the REDD+ South Meta Project. This initiative covers 40,637 hectares of natural forest and aims not only to protect the environment, but also to improve the living conditions of around 1,000 families in the region.
Developed by ALLCOT, the development and project advisory arm of Karbon-X, the program is being implemented in the municipalities of Vistahermosa, Puerto Rico, Puerto Concordia, and Puerto Lleras, territories historically marked by deforestation and armed conflict. The initiative focuses on helping local farmers, many of whom have been affected by years of violence, to abandon destructive practices such as cattle ranching and indiscriminate logging, and to adopt sustainable methods focused on the production of cocoa, coffee, and citrus fruits.
Alexis Leroy, Director of Sustainability Investments at Karbon-X, emphasized that “South Meta shows what climate action looks like when people and nature move in the same direction.” The initiative not only seeks reforestation; it also aims to build a resilient and prosperous future for local communities.
Over the next four months, the project will enter a new phase in which carbon and biodiversity monitoring will be expanded. With over 100 permanent plots already established, the forest’s growth and health will be closely monitored, in addition to documenting local wildlife through the installation of camera traps.
One of the project’s standout features is its focus on creating community-led governance corporations, ensuring the active participation of local residents in project management and the distribution of generated benefits.
The results of the South Meta Project are encouraging, with projected emissions reductions of over 3.7 million tons of CO₂e over its lifetime. Thanks to its focus on equality, economic opportunities, and climate action, this program demonstrates that ecosystem restoration and community resilience can progress together.
Karbon-X and ALLCOT continue to work to make climate action not only accessible but transformative, reaffirming their commitment to protecting ecosystems and improving livelihoods in Colombia.
Source: MiMub in Spanish