Americas

To meet the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement — and avoid climate catastrophe — more countries are looking to put a price on carbon emissions. Conservation International is working with the governments of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru to help establish carbon pricing systems that increase their investment in tropical forests and other high-carbon ecosystems. Learn more »

In Brazil's Abrolhos Seascape, Conservation International has facilitated the creation of three extractive reserves, where fishing is limited to local communities that use sustainable harvesting methods — ultimately protecting around 3,000 square kilometers (1,200 square miles). Learn more »

In Amazonia's most at-risk areas, we're working to protect pristine forests by advising on the establishment of new protected areas, expanding programs that incentivize forest protection through economic benefits and increasing access to climate financing for zero deforestation. Learn more »

Despite its protected status, Peru’s Alto Mayo had some of the country's highest deforestation rates. Now, conservation agreements in the Alto Mayo are supporting a new development model that has helped reduce deforestation by half, restore forests near Indigenous communities and improve the lives of more than a thousand families who are turning to sustainable farming techniques and other livelihoods that protect nature.

Indigenous peoples and local communities own at least a quarter of the Amazon — and their lands have lower rates of deforestation than many protected areas. Our Future Forests–Amazonia Verde, a Conservation International effort funded by the French Government and CI aims to conserve up to 12 percent of the Amazon — approximately 73 million hectares (180 million acres) directly and indirectly — by 2025 by building the capacity of 26 Indigenous groups across Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname. It will also pioneer new financial mechanisms to advance conservation investments and incentives. Learn more »

Conservation International is working in Costa Rica's Gulf of Nicoya to protect the diverse mangrove ecosystem that provides a vital habitat for fisheries, income for more than 6,000 fishermen and food for nearby communities. Over 350 hectares (864 acres) of mangroves are under ecological restoration with the collaboration of communities, local companies and national institutions.

Since 2004, we’ve supported the creation or expansion of more than 20 marine protected areas in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Seascape. And we’re working around the region to restore critical coastal areas, end destructive fishing practices and coordinate cooperation among the region's governments to create a more sustainable Pacific Ocean. Learn more »

In Mexico, Conservation International works with local partners and Indigenous communities to ensure biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems that provide food, water and climate resilience.