# Wildlife Works REDD Forest Initiatives and Impact

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/09/wildlife-works-redd-forest-initiatives-and-impact/
- Published: 2014-09-18T23:34:39-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## Wildlife Works REDD+ Forest and CSRwire Collaborate To Encourage US Corporations To Support

Advocated by companies including Microsoft and Allianz in addition to PUMA as an
immediate and proven solution to address the negative effects of climate change,
REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) is a climate change
mitigation strategy envisioned by the United Nations to help stop the destruction
of the world’s forests. Moreover, Wildlife Works REDD Forest is an example of such
a project.

Wildlife Works, the world’s first company to successfully develop a REDD+ project
that achieved verification under the voluntary carbon market’s most rigorous standards,
originated REDD+ Talks to garner support for REDD+ from US corporations.

![Banner for redd+ talks featuring the text &aposwelcome to redd+ talks america&
aposs first symposium on global warming and the vital role of redd+&apos with an
image of an elephant by a river and mountains in the background](https://i0.wp.com/
greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/45.jpg?resize=300%2C169&quality=52&
ssl=1 "CODE REDD+ TALKS - The Green Living Guy")

A scenic view depicting the beauty of nature featuring an elephant near a body of
water welcoming attendees to the REDD+ Talks symposium focused on combating global
warming

[CSRwire](https://www.csrwire.com/), the nation’s leading source for corporate social
responsibility and sustainability news, reports, events and information, co-sponsored
the event with Code REDD, a nonprofit, REDD+ industry association that represents
REDD+ project developers around the world. In fact, many Wildlife Works [REDD Forest](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/02/forests-help-climate-first-a-global-agreement-for-protection/)
areas are supported by such partnerships.

## Presentations from the Earth Day REDD+

View the Talks symposium at [http://www.REDDtalks.com](http://www.REDDtalks.com).
CSRwire profiles corporate leaders. They have taken steps toward carbon neutrality.
They also explain their emissions reduction goals. CSRwire clarifies why they offset
unavoidable emissions with REDD+ credits. Doing so benefits their companies. Additionally,
they often highlight the transition to Wildlife Works [REDD](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/11/new-prince-ea-video-man-vs-earth-released/)
Forest projects during these profiles.

## Addressing Climate Change: Leading Expert Endorses REDD

Nobel Laureate Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chairman of the [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/10/more-renewable-energy-needed-to-avoid-catastrophic-climate-change/)(
IPCC) established by the United Nations, spoke at the REDD+ Talks. He stated, “The
climate of the earth is changing. This fact is beyond doubt. Fortunately, we have
enormous potential to mitigate global [greenhouse gas emissions](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/12/cbd-industry-is-it-eco-friendly-and-organic/).
Why a Wildlife Works REDD Forest definitely plays an extremely important role. If
we implement it effectively, we can achieve quick and large-scale results.”

## Microsoft Ups the Ante: Putting a Price on Carbon

Protecting threatened [forests under a ](https://greenlivingguy.com/2013/01/project-redd-the-first-verified-carbon-offset-project-in-the-drc/)
REDD+ [program generates carbon](https://greenlivingguy.com/2013/01/project-redd-the-first-verified-carbon-offset-project-in-the-drc/)
credits, which can be used by companies to offset their unavoidable emissions and
pay for the cost to keep a forest standing. Microsoft’s Senior Director of Environmental
Sustainability,TJ DiCaprio, outlined the company’s emission reduction goals and 
put REDD in context:

We have put a price on carbon. Our company charges an internal carbon fee. Each 
of our 14 business divisions across 110 countries now pays an additional fee for
[carbon emissions from energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/02/algenols-algae-energy-tape-bares-all/)
consumption and business air travel. We take action to demonstrate environmental
responsibility. We encourage other organizations to do the same. It’s a simple, 
repeatable model: put a price on carbon, collect the funds, drive accountability
across the organization, and use these funds to support projects like Wildlife Works’
Kasigau REDD+ Project. The impact on our business is significant.

![An elephant standing in a river at sunset surrounded by lush greenery and mountains
saved by a wildlife works redd forest](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/
uploads/2014/09/image-7-400x300.png?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1 "image - The Green Living
Guy")

A majestic elephant standing in a serene river at sunset highlighting the beauty
of wildlife and the importance of forest conservation efforts

Policy makers move slowly to implement legislation that includes REDD+. This legislation
helps curb greenhouse gases and regulates major emitting businesses. Throughout 
the day, [climate change experts](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/08/drowning-expert-witness-enhancing-water-safety-solutions/)
echo the urgency of the situation. They stress the moral responsibility of businesses
to manage their emissions. It is unacceptable for corporations to earn profits at
the expense of the environment and people.

## Deforestation

Each year, 7 billion tonnes of C02 are released into the atmosphere as 35 million
acres of forest are destroyed due to slash and burn agriculture, legal and illegal
logging and charcoal production.

Deforestation accounts for nearly 20% of all [greenhouse gas emissions](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/03/fast-facts-about-greenhouse-gas-emissions/)
that cause global warming. The environment cannot be stabilized without protecting
threatened forests. Similarly, Wildlife Works REDD Forest [conservation efforts are crucial to reduce deforestation](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/12/amazon-conservation-maap63-patterns-deforestation-throughout/)
impacts.

![An elephant standing by a riverbank with mountains in the background during sunset](
https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/image-9-400x300.
png?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1 "image - The Green Living Guy")

> Mike Korchinsky, Founder and CEO of Wildlife Works, explained that the way to 
> protect threatened forests is through community engagement where local people 
> receive multiple benefits through conservation related jobs. “Forests are being
> destroyed for their economic value but not necessarily to their highest value 
> user, there’s always an economic reason,” he said. “To combat that, we have to
> provide economic value to the people who are living in and around the forest first
> and foremost.”
> 
> ## Kenya
> 

Mama Mercy, a community leader, manages vital women’s groups in Voi, Kenya, where
Wildlife Works’ REDD+ Project operates. She also received enthusiastic applause.
Furthermore, Mama Mercy attended REDD+ Talks to explain to corporate leaders how
REDD+ fights deforestation. She also described the project’s impact on an impoverished
rural community. This community is over 100,000 people. In addition, she highlighted
the significant multi-benefits that carbon finance delivers.

When the carbon project arrived, change began. With Wildlife Works, we focus on 
water, education, job creation, and sustainability. Water remains our biggest problem.
Women walk 15 kilometers to find it. They carry a 20-liter can while holding a baby
on their backs, sometimes while pregnant. This life is miserable. However, it is
changing now because of REDD+. Now, jobs exist, and dignity returns to our community.
Funds from carbon have enabled over 1,800 children to attend school. We can educate
our children. We will have a different nation!

Wildlife Works leads the voluntary carbon market with its REDD+ (Reducing Emissions
through Deforestation and Degradation) project development and management. Additionally,
it has created a sustainable, scalable business model that, in turn, offers significant
environmental and social benefits. Specifically, it targets impoverished regions
in Africa and beyond; consequently, these areas urgently need the transformational
change that Wildlife Works’ REDD+ projects bring.

## Code REDD

_Code REDD_ is a nonprofit REDD+ industry association that, in essence, empowers
communities, protects wildlife, and, moreover, preserves forests. By stimulating
corporate support for high-impact and high-quality REDD+ projects, it actively engages
in both compliance and voluntary markets around the world.

_[CSRwire](https://www.csrwire.com/)_ is the leading source of corporate social 
responsibility and sustainability news, reports, events and information.

[Source: ](https://web.archive.org/web/20160810130647/https://standfortrees.org/en/)
REDD+ New York, NY and San Francisco, CA, May I9, 2013

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 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
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