Project Description
The grouped project “ECO2 Rubber Forests Guatemala” aims to create a broad platform for carbon market access in Guatemala where rubber forests will be established and managed. The Project will facilitate access to carbon finance as an additional income source and will generate positive incentives for reforestation with sustainably or responsible managed rubber tree forests. The grouped platform will allow producers to access the carbon market efficiently, transparently and at a low cost for every project activity instance, mobilizing the capital necessary to scale up successful land-use practices.The project activity is reforestation with rubber tree forests along the Guatemalan region of Central America. The model of reforestation includes implementing sustainable or responsible forest management in all the plantations included in the Project.
Additional community benefits include proper management of water quality, maintaining communities involved through public participations, helping with resources for community use, and access to special routes. The projects expects to have biodiversity benefits such as serving as a buffer zone and biological corridor for the natural forests and areas of High Conservation Value, avoided deforestation, sustainable management to reduce chemical inputs, positive impacts on the environment (such as improve degraded soil, restore water recharge and mitigate wind effects) given the change from pasture to natural rubber tree plantations, and the project will also have an aesthetic positive impact on the landscape.
Anti-Discrimination Assurance
The development of fundamental rights in relation to the dignity and promotion of women, are established in the Political Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala, the international conventions on women's human rights, and the action plans emanating from international conferences on the subject of women, corresponding such promotion to public and private institutions in what were applicable.
Our project team holds every individual involved in project design and implementation to a high standard of integrity, to ensure no one is involved in, or complicit in, any form of discrimination or sexual harassment with respect to the project. This includes discrimination based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity, social class, or other aspects of human individuality. Throughout the project duration, the ECO2 Rubber project will abide by all relevant Guatemalan labour laws and regulations.
Equal Opportunity Policy
The project is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to any protected characteristics. We encourage diversity and strive to create an inclusive work environment that is respectful, fair, and welcoming to all. We promote the employment of community members, including women and strive to make sure vulnerable and/or marginalized people are given a fair chance to fill positions for which they can be trained.
The project will not engage in or be complicit in any form of discrimination or sexual harassment. To ensure compliance, the project has a grievance system in place that will provide all project employees, identified community members, and other stakeholders with a formal system if any discriminatory actions or sexual harassment does occur, to ensure grievances can be addressed quickly and appropriately.
Avoidance of Corruption and Other Unethical Behavior
The ECO2 Rubber Project team and project participants are committed to upholding a high level of integrity and professionalism throughout all aspects of project design and implementation. We have a zero-tolerance attitude towards corruption and unethical behaviour, and are not involved in, or complicit in, any form of corruption such as bribery, embezzlement, fraud, favoritism, cronyism, nepotism, extortion, and collusion.
Grievance Redress Procedure
The project has a set of procedures in place to properly communicate with stakeholders, identify risks and address possible grievances. In accordance with the VCS Standard any grievance will be handled in the following way:
1) The project proponent shall attempt to amicably resolve all grievances and provide a formal response in the local language. Response will be written but may also be communicated orally throug proper channels. 2) Any grievances that are not resolved by amicable negotiations shall be referred to mediation by a neutral third party. This could be a local represantative or leader. 3) Any grievances that are not resolved through mediation shall be referred either to a) arbitration b) competent courts in Guatemala. During stakeholder consultations, interested parties are encouraged to communicate directly with property managers or with Econegocios for request, comments and grievances. Econegocios can be reached by at eco@econegocios.com.gt or through the webpage contact form.