Reforestation, coffee and carbon in Sierra Piura, Peru: can carbon financing promote sustainable agriculture?

Reforestation, coffee and carbon in Sierra Piura, Peru: can carbon financing promote sustainable agriculture?

Background

Previous research has suggested that certain agricultural practices can protect, enhance, and reverse environmental degradation. One way to achieve this beneficial connection can be encouraged is through financial mechanisms, such as payment for ecosystem services. This document examines a similar approach in which carbon revenues drive sustainable coffee agriculture in the Sierra Piura region of Peru. 

Goals & Approach

The goal of this project is to contribute to carbon sequestration, regeneration of slopes, and reduction of siltation for coffee produces in the lower areas. An ‘upstream–downstream’ approach links two groups of farmers in a climate-change mitigation and adaptation project: poor subsistence farmers in the upper parts of Sierra Piura create carbon offsets through reforestation.

Reported Takeaways

Over the course of the project, it has been able to successful establish a carbon offset market with coffee buyers. The document identifies existing institutional structures and developed technical capacities as critical characteristics for upscaling the project and potentially expanding it to other high value crops. Yet, the project willneed to increase investment into markets to expand carbon offsets.

Reference: 

Amrein, Alexandra, Ina Porras, and Bill Vorley. (2015) "Reforestation, coffee and carbon in Sierra Piura, Peru: can carbon financing promote sustainable agriculture?." Accessed: June 2020

Affiliation: 

  • Shaping Sustainable Markets
  • Hivos People Unlimited
  • International Center for Tropical Agriculture
  • IIED