Introducing BluEarth Carbon Development: Championing Nature-Based Solutions for a Sustainable Future
*LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / September 5, 2023 / *BluEarth Carbon Development Inc. ("*BluEarth*"), a leading U.S.-based carbon offset developer focused on avoided deforestation projects in West Africa, is thrilled to announce its emergence onto the global stage as a dynamic force in sustainability and conservation.
*Our Company*
Founded in 2022, BluEarth is focused on deploying market-based solutions to combat climate change while driving sustainable development in local communities. We are project developers working to advance a portfolio of reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation ("*REDD+*") projects located in the Republic of Liberia. Our mission is to mitigate climate change, conserve forest carbon stocks, preserve biodiversity, and promote sustainable livelihoods. We aim to do so by partnering with forest-dwelling communities to incentivize sustainable land use practices aimed at safeguarding some of the most ecologically impactful ecosystems on earth.
*Our Goals:*
· *Protect and restore natural carbon sinks* by addressing one of the largest underlying drivers of climate change - deforestation.
· *Facilitate the transition to net-zero* by generating carbon offsets - a crucial resource required by corporations and institutions to achieve their climate action targets.
· *Provide an economically viable alternative to deforestation* by incentivizing forest communities to pursue sustainable land use practices through performance-based payments.
· *Maximize impact *by aligning our projects with co-benefits in support of UN Sustainable Development Goals such as preserving biodiversity, improving livelihoods though agroforestry, and developing social infrastructure.
*Achieving Net-Zero: The Need for Voluntary Carbon Markets & REDD+:*
Our planet is facing an imminent climate crisis that requires far-reaching and immediate action to reduce global emissions. Achieving net-zero emissions and limiting global warming to 1.5°C requires rapid scaling of the Voluntary Carbon Markets and a significant increase in the supply of carbon offsets. The Voluntary Carbon Markets bridge the divide between economic interests and environmental responsibility by enabling corporations, driven by the imperative of corporate social responsibility, to offset their emissions and contribute to a more sustainable planet. Simultaneously, REDD+ plays a crucial role in preserving forests and maintaining their function as a natural carbon sink. By incentivizing the protection of these invaluable ecosystems, REDD+ strikes at the root causes of deforestation and forest degradation, curbing carbon emissions while fostering sustainable livelihoods for local communities. BluEarth is thrilled to step into the arena of climate action as we seek to develop high-quality REDD+ projects that deliver positive climate and community impacts. Our planet's climate crisis demands urgent and coordinated efforts to combat it, and we are excited to be at the forefront of this transformative journey.
*Why Liberia?*
BluEarth is a first mover in Liberia, a nation teeming with potential to participate in the Voluntary Carbon Markets. Liberia is a rainforest nation that is home to over 40% of West Africa's remaining forests including large sections of the Upper Guinean Forest - one of the world's great tropical forest ecosystems. Diana monkeys, chimpanzees, pygmy hippos and many other endangered species all rely on these forests for their survival. However, Liberia's forests are under extreme pressure from threats such as slash-and-burn agricultural expansion, logging (both illegal and legal), and poaching, all of which put the country's forests - and those who depend on them - at risk. From 2001 to 2022, Liberia lost 2.2 million hectares of tree cover, equivalent to a 23% decrease in tree cover since 2000, and 1.25 Gt of CO₂e emissions^[1].
In Liberia, BluEarth is partnering with local forest communities to develop REDD+ as a means of mitigating climate change through forest conservation. This initiative is aimed at providing economic opportunities to land-owning, forest-dwelling communities. Through performance-based payments, BluEarth's REDD+ projects seek to empower these communities to leverage their forest assets to forge a sustainable path towards a greener future.
Our intent is to engage with local communities in a transparent, inclusive, and equitable manner. We aim to foster meaningful partnerships built on mutual respect, open communication, and shared decision-making. By working collaboratively with these communities we seek to ensure that their voices are heard, their rights are respected, and their interests are prioritized throughout all stages of the project. Our commitment to fair engagement is driven by a deep understanding of the importance of community involvement in achieving sustainable environmental and social outcomes.
*Our Team: *
*Augustine Jarrett* - CEO: Augustine is a native Liberian with +20 years of experience developing natural resource projects in the forestry sector. Prior to founding BluEarth, Augustine held positions at Booz Allen Hamilton, the U.S. Treasury Department, The Liberian Wood Industry a subsidiary of Natural Resource Development SA., a consulting credit officer for USAID Projects, and served as the Principal Economic Advisor to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Noble Peace Prize-winning former President of Liberia.
*Robin McWatt* - COO: Robin is a seasoned corporate development executive with more than a decade of experience incubating and scaling early-stage companies. Prior to joining BluEarth, Robin served as Vice President at a Canadian merchant bank where he guided companies from the start-up/idea- stage to successful exits with a focus on natural resources, agriculture, cleantech, and real estate.
*John Furnari* - VP, Projects: John is a long-serving foreign aid program manager with +20 years of field experience delivering development projects throughout Africa, Europe and the Global South. Prior to joining BluEarth, John served as Chief of Party for USAID's Legal Professional Development and Anti-Corruption Program in Liberia and USAID's Expanding Access to Justice Program in Somalia. John holds an LL.M Enviromental Law degree from Pace University.
*Sheldon Zakreski* - VP, Carbon Finance: Sheldon is a +20 year carbon markets veteran specializing in structuring transactions for early-stage offset projects. He's helped secure over $100M worth of offset purchase agreements and advised on over $100M of investments into REDD+ projects. Prior to joining BluEarth, Sheldon served as Executive Director of The Climate Trust; VP, Climate Finance at Climate Impact Partners; and Director, Nature-Based Solutions at ClearBlue Markets.
*Melody Lynch* - Director, Stakeholder Engagement: Melody is a social scientist with a decade of experience researching the impacts of environmental projects and policies on rural and indigenous communities throughout developing countries. She is currently a lecturer in the department of environment and geography at McGill University, where she is also completing her PhD in urban agriculture, sustainability, and social justice.
For media inquiries, please contact: Robin McWatt at robin@bluearthcarbon.com
To learn more about BluEarth Carbon Development and its groundbreaking initiatives, visit www.bluearthcarbon.com.
*About BluEarth Carbon Development*
BluEarth is an innovative environmental organization dedicated to tackling climate change, conserving biodiversity, and promoting sustainable livelihoods through nature-based solutions. Through collaborative partnerships and ethical practices, BluEarth's projects transcend borders, striving to create a world where environmental and economic interests align for a thriving future.
^[1] Source: Global Forest Watch
*Contact:*
Robin McWatt
Chief Operating Officer
514-707-0481
robin@bluearthcarbon.com
*SOURCE:* BluEarth Carbon Development, Inc.
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