Reforestation project in Paraguay
Canopy Energies participated in the development of a Pongamia plantation project in Paraguay over 3 600 hectares, now up and running since 2014. This large scale reforestation project also intend to produce biofuel with the Pongamia oil. It also presents numerous socio-economic and environmental benefits.
The Paraguayan Chaco region, where our project is located, lost an average of 245,746 hectares of forest annually due to cattle farming between 2001 and 2014.
This deforestation not only destroys local ecosystems but also leads to the release of significant amounts of carbon dioxide emissions and incurs substantial economic and environmental transportation costs.
Our reforestation project in Eastern Paraguay has been ongoing for several years now and it aims to replant Pongamia trees on 3 600 hectares.
This project is certified by Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), as well as the label CCB (Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance).
The Pongamia
The project relies on Pongamia, a fast-growing and virtuous tree known for its ability to sequester high amounts of carbon and self-fertilize. Its by-products offer numerous additional benefits. For instance, the Pongamia oil is a biofuel that can replace diesel and other non-renewable fuels, hence very beneficial given current pressures on the environment.
Environmental and Socio-Economic Co-benefits
Climate action.
This project tackles the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 ‘Climate action’. This agroforestry and reforestation project in Paraguay allows to sequester carbon, directly mitigating the effects of climate change. Moreover, the Pongamia tree which is used to reforest lands presents many by-products like its oil, a vegetable and renewable alternative to fossil fuels.
Life on land.
This reforestation project directly addresses the United Nations’ SDG 15 ‘Life on land’ and target 15.2 seeking to restore degraded forests.
