Phnom Penh, November 28, 2024

Wildlife Alliance (WA) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to forest conservation, environmental sustainability, and the protection of indigenous rights. We take issue with the recent FRANCE 24 video, which presents a distorted and misleading narrative about the impact of REDD+ projects on deforestation and the land access of indigenous communities.

Cambodia’s REDD+ initiatives, including the Southern Cardamom REDD+ Project and the Keo Seima REDD+ Project, adhere strictly to internationally recognized standards such as the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards, and Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard (SD VISta). These projects undergo rigorous, repeated audits by third-party international experts, ensuring that they deliver measurable, verifiable, and sustainable benefits for the environment and local communities alike.

These REDD+ projects are an integral part of Cambodia’s Circular Strategy, led by the Ministry of Environment. This strategy embodies the nation’s commitment to environmental sustainability, resilience to climate change, and the promotion of a green economy.

Through these projects, Cambodia has mobilized resources to preserve its forests and uplift the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. Millions of dollars have been channeled directly to local populations, empowering them to pursue their own development goals while contributing to forest conservation. The overwhelming support from the communities served by these projects stands as a testament to their efficacy and fairness.

WA also recognize the role of indigenous communities in safeguarding Cambodia’s forests and biodiversity. Guided by our commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Cambodia ensures that all REDD+ projects comply with social safeguards including free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) from affected communities. FRANCE 24’s portrayal is disrespectful to the years of dialogue and mutual respect that have defined our collaboration with indigenous populations.

WA remains open to dialogue and constructive feedback and encourage stakeholders to engage transparently and in good faith. However, we reject unsubstantiated attacks that seek to undermine the integrity and tarnish the reputation of our project.

Therefore, taking this opportunity to highlight that:

Southern Cardamom REDD+ has overwhelming support from the communities it serves. During the recent Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process in 2024, the number of villagers supporting the project has risen substantially, with over 93% of household representatives expressing support in the latest round of FPIC conducted from June 4 to September 5, 2024. In Areng Valley, where Indigenous Chorng resides, the results were: 81% support in Pralay Commune; 82% in Chumnoab Commune, and 88% in Thma Dan Pov Commune.

Southern Cardamom REDD+ channels millions of dollars to local communities. In 2023 alone, SCRP distributed over $2 million to fund communities’ own development goals. More than 10,000 community members have benefited from SCRP’s education initiatives, 680 families have been trained to produce food more sustainably and intensively, and 27,516 people have gained better access to drinking water because of new wells built by SCRP.

Without Southern Cardamom REDD+, forests and wildlife would disappear. Protecting 442,870 hectares of evergreen forest, SCRP has prevented over 27 million tons of CO2 emissions to-date. Moreover, SCRP’s conservation efforts have led to the rescue of 3,058 live animals from hunters’ snares, the removal of 175,534 snares, and the confiscation of 5,624 chainsaws, safeguarding the habitat of 62 globally threatened species.