The last defenders of the forests of Panama

Panama is characterized by a progressive and irreversible loss of forest cover, initiated since 1903. Forest fires, urban sprawl, extensive agricultural and livestock systems, the economics of banana and African palm plantations, among other factors, have led to Devastation of forests.

Since 2000, international cooperation, through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Global Environment Facility (GEF), Development Bank of Latin America CAF, has channeled millions of dollars to conservation projects in Panama. But the loss of forest cover begun since 1903 has not been halted. Without prompt action, vast regions of the country will begin a desertification process. ¿What is the cause of this failure?

In this context, two "parallel universes" have emerged: the world of governmental and international agencies, gifted with generous technical and financial resources, and the domain of private landowners, rural and indigenous communities fighting a solo battle, trying to protect the remnants of forests. To date, a connection has not been established between the two sectors.

The owners of forests, rural and indigenous communities have decided to link the conservation of forest resources to the fight against climate change, exploring the opportunities offered by the Voluntary Carbon Market. The preparation of the Project Design Document (PDD) is fully funded with equity resources and voluntary work in the field, and also with contributions from local investors. In this way, the sector of the Non-State Actor Zone for Climate Action (NAZCA) has begun to be set up in Panama.

Panama's NAZCA sector has begun the process of creating a National Organization for Forest Carbon. The organization is divided into 4 divisions:

A) The Financing Commission: whose objective is to establish negotiations with the banking sector, to promote green financing.

B) The Marketing Commission, which will be responsible for promoting the sale of carbon credits.

C) The Commission for Training and Technical Assistance, with the purpose of channeling the scientific knowledge towards a sustainable forest management.

D) The Political Advocacy Commission: responsible for promoting legal initiatives to create a legal framework favorable to the conservation of forests.

At present, a team of Panamanian and other professionals, organized by APRONAD, carry out forest inventories to determine carbon stocks. The initial effort is carried out in the provinces of Colon and Penonomé, the collective lands of the Emberá - Wounaan (Darién), East Panama and Veraguas Province communities. With the satellite information an initial valuation of the properties that participate in the Project is made, the temporary sampling plots are selected and the information on the ground is raised.

This private initiative has the advantage of having the commitment and dedication of forest owners. It is a project that is born empowered by its beneficiaries. But the lack of technical and financial support from the government sector and international cooperation agencies slows development,