EDF
With your help, Indigenous groups are fighting climate change by protecting tropical forests.
A jaguar in tall grass looks towards the viewer

John, did you know protecting and restoring tropical forests could reduce global carbon pollution by a whopping 25%? Yet from 2002 to 2021, more than 169 million acres of global tropical forest have been destroyed — an area around the size of Texas.

Tropical forests are home to many Indigenous peoples. They protect the forests that store carbon and support more biodiversity than any other terrestrial ecosystem. The Amazon is home to 1 in 10 known species on Earth, including harpy eagles, pink river dolphins, jaguars, poison dart frogs and over 40,000 plant species!

For over two decades, EDF has partnered with Indigenous groups in Brazil — like the Kayapó — to ensure they benefit financially for protecting the tropical forests they call home. By saving their forests from logging and other destructive activities, they can earn valuable, high quality carbon credits that can be sold to companies as a way to meet their climate goals.

The support of EDF members like you has made these accomplishments possible:

  • In 2021, EDF spearheaded the creation of LEAF (Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest finance) to save large-scale tropical forests and bring valuable economic support to the Indigenous people who defend them. LEAF has secured $1.5 billion in funding commitments from countries and companies to buy high quality carbon credits, with much more to come. LEAF’s ultimate goal: To end all tropical forest loss by 2030.
  • In 2022, EDF, partner groups and Indigenous peoples’ organizations developed the Tropical Forest Credit Integrity Guide for Companies to ensure carbon credits restore and protect tropical forests and benefit local communities. That way, when a company offsets emissions, the funds have a real, lasting impact for rainforests and people.

Steve Schwartzman, EDF’s senior director of tropical forest policy, says it best: “There is no way to stabilize the climate without protecting tropical forests… We know living forests are the best technology for getting and keeping carbon out of the atmosphere.”

These latest achievements prove that passionate, dedicated and generous people like you have the power to make a meaningful difference.
 
Thank you for all you do to protect the environment,

Anne Russell Gregory
Manager, Online Member Engagement
 
 

P.S. Now through December 31, your donation to slash climate pollution will go three times further, thanks to a $2-for-$1 match sponsored by two long-time EDF donors. New monthly gifts will be matched for 12 months, tripling your impact for a full year.