Sumaq Allpa - Beautiful Land Project

---

Location: Andes Highlands, Cusco Region, Peru
Project Area: 12,000 hectares
Focus: Sustainable Reforestation, Carbon Removal, Community Development, Biodiversity Enhancement
Certification: VERRA (VM0047), ESG-Compliant

Verra Registry: https://registry.verra.org/app/projectDetail/VCS/5360 

Sumaq Allpa (beautiful land, in Quechua) is a large-scale community-based afforestation and sustainable development initiative located in the Cusco Region of Peru. Covering 12,000 hectares of degraded lands, the project aims to restore biodiversity, capture carbon, and improve local livelihoods through the planting of Radiata Pine (90%) and native Queñual (Polylepis) trees. This initiative balances ecological restoration with community-driven economic development, serving as a model for sustainable land-use practices in the Andean highlands.

The Andes Highlands of Cusco are among the most biodiverse and ecologically sensitive areas in Peru, home to rare, threatened, and endangered species. However, decades of deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable agricultural practices have led to significant environmental degradation, threatening both ecosystems and the livelihoods of hundreds peasant communities. By reforesting these areas and promoting sustainable practices, the Andes Highlands Project seeks to reverse deforestation, support biodiversity conservation, and combat climate change.

The project employs Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to address deforestation, land degradation, and climate change, focusing on the following core activities:

1. Reforestation and Forest Management (Forestry Asset)

• Afforestation and Reforestation: Planting 90% Radiata Pine and 10% native Queñual (Polylepis) to restore degraded lands, enhance biodiversity, and stabilize soils.
• Sustainable Forest Management: Implementing certified sustainable practices with no clear-cutting, ensuring selective harvesting to maintain forest health and longevity.
• Nursery Operations: Establishing and expanding nurseries to supply saplings, ensuring adequate seedling production for annual planting goals.
• Forest Fire Prevention: Comprehensive fire prevention measures, including firebreaks, community training, and early detection systems.

2. Community Sustainable Value Chains (Rural Economy)

• Timber and Non-Timber Forest Products: Generating income from selective timber harvesting and non-timber products like resin and edible mushrooms.
• Agroforestry and Livestock Integration: Integrating sustainable cuy (guinea pig) farming with pine plantations to diversify income and enhance food security.
• Local Capacity Development: Providing training on value chain management, product development, and marketing to maximize economic benefits.
• Economic Diversification: Reducing reliance on subsistence agriculture by introducing new, sustainable income streams.

3. Environmental Services Scheme (Carbon Reservoir)

• Carbon Sequestration: Capturing an average of 165,321 tCO₂eq annually through extensive reforestation efforts.
• VERRA VM0047 Certification: Adhering to VERRA’s methodology for accurate carbon accounting and certification of carbon credits.
• Carbon Revenue Sharing: Allocating a portion of carbon credit revenues to local communities to support sustainable development.
• Biodiversity and Water Regulation: Enhancing biodiversity and regulating water cycles through the integration of native species and forest restoration.

4. Strengthening of Participatory Management (Governance)

• Inclusive Decision-Making: Involving community representatives in planning and decision-making processes to foster ownership and trust, ensuring a non-paternalistic approach.
• Capacity Building: Empowering communities with training on carbon markets, profit-sharing structures, and financial management to enable informed decision-making.
• Benefit Sharing Governance: Establishing frameworks for equitable distribution of carbon revenues and project profits, aligning community and project interests.
• Cultural and Social Preservation: Respecting and integrating cultural heritage into project activities, ensuring that all interventions honor local traditions and archaeological sites.

✅ Restoration of 12,000 hectares of degraded lands with Radiata Pine and native Queñual trees.
✅ Removal of over 6 million tons of CO₂ through long-term carbon sequestration.
✅ Creation of over 500 green jobs in reforestation, forest management, and sustainable value chains.
✅ Biodiversity enhancement through the preservation of native forests and habitats for endangered species.
✅ Economic empowerment of over 40 communities through diversified and sustainable income sources.
✅ Certification under VERRA VM0047 standards for carbon credits and climate impact.

The Andes Highlands Project adheres to international best practices in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, following the IFC Performance Standards to ensure:

• Biodiversity Conservation: Protecting and enhancing native species and ecosystems.
• Respect for Indigenous Rights: Upholding the rights and cultural heritage of local communities.
• Ethical Land Use Practices: Implementing sustainable forestry and agricultural practices.
• Long-Term Social and Economic Benefits: Ensuring sustained benefits through capacity building and economic diversification.

Environmental Impacts

• Ecosystem Restoration: Rehabilitates degraded lands, enhancing soil fertility and water retention.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Protects and restores habitats for rare and endangered species, maintaining ecological balance.
• Climate Mitigation: Significantly reduces atmospheric CO₂ levels through extensive carbon sequestration.
• Water Cycle Regulation: Improves watershed health, ensuring reliable water sources for communities and agriculture.

Social Impacts

• Poverty Alleviation: Increases household incomes through sustainable economic activities, reducing poverty levels.
• Community Empowerment: Enhances local governance and decision-making capabilities, fostering social equity.
• Cultural Preservation: Respects and integrates local traditions and cultural heritage into project activities.
• Capacity Building: Provides education and training, equipping communities with skills for sustainable management.

Economic Impacts

• Job Creation: Generates employment opportunities in nursery operations, planting, forest management, and value-added product processing.
• Economic Diversification: Reduces reliance on subsistence agriculture by introducing new income streams.
• Market Access: Establishes connections with local and regional markets for timber and non-timber products, enhancing economic resilience.
• Investment Attraction: Demonstrates the viability of sustainable forestry, attracting further private sector investments.

Climate Change Mitigation

• Carbon Sequestration: Captures and stores significant amounts of CO₂, contributing to global climate goals.
• Resilience Building: Strengthens ecosystems to better withstand climate variability and extreme weather events.
• Global Impact: Integrates local actions into international carbon markets, promoting broader climate change mitigation efforts.

The Andes Highlands Project is more than just a reforestation effort—it’s a long-term investment in nature and people. By aligning climate action with social impact, the project aims to build resilient ecosystems and thriving communities for generations to come. Through carbon removal, biodiversity restoration, and community partnerships, we are leading the way in sustainable land management in Peru’s Cusco Region.

FRONTERRA’s Andes Highlands Reforestation & Sustainable Development Project is a movement towards sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and social equity. By supporting this initiative, you’re contributing to a greener planet and stronger, more resilient communities.

📩 Want to learn more?
Get in touch to explore partnership opportunities and see how you can contribute to the success of the Andes Highlands Project.