In early April, more than 100 extractivist families from the Rio Cautário State Extractive Reserve, in Rondônia, participated in another Community General Assembly of the Nature Conservation Project in the area, an initiative of extractivist families in partnership with Permian Brasil. The event, held at the local base of the project, aimed to strengthen the communities’ understanding of the functioning of the project, its convergence with the new carbon market law, rights and responsibilities of each party and the current and future improvements for the communities.
The program was dedicated to communication, engagement and community empowerment, with the active participation of those present during presentations, debates, dynamics and cultural manifestations.
Highlights of the Assembly
Clarifications on the Project and the new Carbon Market
At the event, central topics such as the vital role of the forest in climate regulation and the interdependence between climate, community and biodiversity, pillars of the project and its integrity and sustainability, as well as its financing mechanism through private investment so far and the future generation of carbon credits on deforestation that the partnership has been able to avoid in the area, were addressed, in accessible language. since 2020, the year the project began.
Participatory Climate Education
Throughout the program, the team used innovative audiovisual and didactic resources to address the impacts of climate change, already felt by all, and how deforestation and fires aggravate the problem, increasing the emission of polluting gases into the atmosphere. This relationship between global warming and the role of local families who keep the forest standing aimed to understand the importance of the work of extractivists, as guardians of their territory for decades, and the strategic role they play in combating climate change and biodiversity loss. An interactive game of questions and answers, with intense participation of young people and adults, stimulated dialogue and the exchange of knowledge, but above all demonstrated to those present how much they already understand about the project and about its important role in achieving local and global objectives.
Legal Updates and Governance
Our legal team shared the context and main pointsof the new carbon market law, sanctioned in December 2024, reinforcing the rights of communities over carbon projects in extractive reserves, such as the Rio Cautário RESEX and how the partnership between the communities and Permian Brasil, developed over 4 years ago, has been complying with the new legislation. The importance and guidelines for accessing the listening channel available 24/7 was also reinforced, so that communities can bring their suggestions, complaints or complaints to the project’s governance committee, in order to strengthen their integrity.
Rights and duties of all parties involved in the project
The regional management of Permian Brazil highlighted the importance of co-responsibility between all parties involved for the success of the project. The previously agreed rules were reinforced, as well as the rights and duties of each actor in the exercise of key activities, essential to ensure the proper functioning and sustainability of the initiative. The dialogue emphasized that the success of the project depends on collective commitment, mutual respect and the active participation of all those involved in achieving the desired results for the climate, community and biodiversity, essential pillars for the generation of high-quality carbon credits.
Active participation and local culture
The event had entertainment and cultural appreciation, with poetry and prose shared spontaneously by a well-known resident of the communities – Seu Buxim. Women, young people and older residents were present at this assembly, ensuring generational diversity and the exchanges and active participation of many throughout the event. The Aguapé association also brought issues from its competence of representing community interests to vote, taking advantage of the forum and the logistical support provided to bring together the seven local communities.
Transparency and collective construction
The assembly reaffirmed the importance of transparency, community participation and the clear definition of rules and expectations as foundations for the success and longevity of the carbon project. The joint action between communities and Permian’s technical and management team reinforces the commitment to the protection of the Amazon rainforest, the appreciation of local biodiversity and the promotion of the well-being of the families of the Rio Cautário RESEX.
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