Piloting the High Carbon Stock and High Conservation Value approaches at the landscape level

Earthworm Foundation, together with National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is currently leading a landscape-level indicative High Carbon Stock (HCS) and probability High Conservation Value (HCV) pilot as part of its engagement in the Tocache Landscape. The aim of this pilot is to explore how the HCS and HCV methodologies can be adopted for use across smallholder-dominated landscapes in Peru. In 2018 field studies were conducted and a map indicating potential conservation and development areas is currently under development in consultation with the HCS Steering Group. Once finished, the objective is to present the finalised map to key stakeholders to be used as an input for land-use planning in the Tocache Landscape.

Training on sustainable production and the sourcing of agro-commodities

Earthworm Foundation is providing training and technical assistance to civil society, business, farmers’ associations and government on approaches to sustainable production and sourcing of agro-commodities.

We are leading workshops and presenting at events to help build this understanding. Our partner, Grupo Palmas, held a workshop where we were able to share our landscape approach, the HCS and HCV methodologies and their connection with No deforestation, Peat and Exploitation (NDPE) policies. It was assisted by technical experts from leading Peruvian NGOs. We have met with Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, and presented the HCS/HCV themes at two events that gathered the leading Peruvian companies in various agri-commodity sectors: the tenth Peruvian Cocoa and Chocolate Show (June 2019) and at the Expoalimentaria Convention (September 2019) – Peru’s most important agri-food event.

On a local level, we are focusing workshops for smallholders. So far we have organised workshops with five leading smallholder palm oil associations and one cocoa cooperative together. The workshops provided 62 farmers with training about the importance of NDPE policies, the HCS and HCV methodologies and the landscape approach.

Building partnerships with public and private institutions at the national, regional and local level

To date, we have held two rounds of one-on-one meetings with key government bodies the Ministry of Environment (MINAM), the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MINAGRI), and the San Martin Regional Government and Tocache Provincial Government. In these meetings we are exploring how the HCS and HCV approaches compare with national land use planning methodologies, as well as discussing the Tocache Landscape and how Earthworm Foundation is piloting an indicative landscape-level approach to HCS.

Earthworm Foundation has also joined the Peruvian public-private coalition for a low-emission rural development. The main goal of the coalition is to reduce deforestation and promote sustainable agricultural development. Within the coalition, we are actively promoting the landscape approach. Further information about the public-private coalition is available on MDA´s website (in Spanish).

Developing an incentive system for promoting protection of conservation areas and sustainable development

Earthworm Foundation is exploring potential designs of a framework for alternative livelihood options and incentives for promoting the preservation of conservation areas identified through the indicative HCS study. The development of the incentive framework is participatory and will involve consultations with key actors in the landscape.