Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+
Cambodia's largest carbon emission reduction program protecting the world's most biodiverse sanctuary
CambodiaREDD+Buyer ProtectionCounts towards net neutralityAwarded an BBB rating Carbon Avoidance
Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+
Developed by
#166,983
hectares protected#85
globally threatened species#12,000
Indigenous Bunong supportedNestled in the dense forests of eastern Cambodia, the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary (KSWS) is a haven for wildlife and a vital resource for the Indigenous Bunong people. The sanctuary spans over 292,690 hectares, with the REDD+ project area protecting 166,983 hectares of some of the most biodiverse forest in Southeast Asia.
The KSWS REDD+ Project, launched in 2010, is a collaboration between the Royal Government of Cambodia's Ministry of Environment and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). It represents Cambodia's largest carbon emission reduction program in the land use sector and is a key part of the country's commitment to the Paris Agreement.
The sanctuary sits at a critical deforestation frontier. The neighboring Snoul Wildlife Sanctuary lost almost all of its 62,000 hectares of forest cover and was degazetted in 2018. The Keo Seima project has successfully held the line against this advancing wave of destruction, preventing approximately 25,000 hectares of predicted deforestation since 2010.
The project's holistic approach combines law enforcement, community land tenure, sustainable livelihoods, and biodiversity monitoring to create a replicable model for forest conservation that balances ecological protection with community development.
The KSWS REDD+ Project, launched in 2010, is a collaboration between the Royal Government of Cambodia's Ministry of Environment and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). It represents Cambodia's largest carbon emission reduction program in the land use sector and is a key part of the country's commitment to the Paris Agreement.
The sanctuary sits at a critical deforestation frontier. The neighboring Snoul Wildlife Sanctuary lost almost all of its 62,000 hectares of forest cover and was degazetted in 2018. The Keo Seima project has successfully held the line against this advancing wave of destruction, preventing approximately 25,000 hectares of predicted deforestation since 2010.
The project's holistic approach combines law enforcement, community land tenure, sustainable livelihoods, and biodiversity monitoring to create a replicable model for forest conservation that balances ecological protection with community development.
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What is REDD+?
REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) projects focus on conserving and restoring forests to reduce CO2 emissions and protect biodiversity. These projects engage local communities, governments, and NGOs in sustainable forest management practices, which help prevent deforestation and degradation, support ecosystem resilience, and promote long-term climate benefits. REDD+ projects deliver verified emissions reductions while empowering communities with economic incentives for conservation.
Research
REDD+: Protecting forests and climate for sustainable development
This report outlines how REDD+ supports Germany's forest and climate protection policies by promoting measures to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries.UN-REDD+ Fact Sheet
This fact sheet provides an overview of REDD+, explaining its role, objectives, and benefits in supporting developing countries to reduce emissions through sustainable forest management and conservation efforts.Project Certifications and Claims
Verra
The project is listed on the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) registry for Methodology VM0015 (project number: 1650).
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BeZero
The project is recognised as one of the highest-quality projects by BeZero, earning a BBB carbon rating.
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Sustainability Integrity Index
Senken uses 600+ datapoint Sustainability Integrity Index (SII) to select and onboard project developers. Only 5% of the projects we assess score high enough to make it into customer portfolios.
Socioeconomic Impact
The Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary is the ancestral and current home of the Indigenous Bunong people. The project has secured seven Indigenous Community Land Titles (ICTs), including Cambodia's first ICT in a protected area. The innovative Cash for Communities (C4C) benefit-sharing program has distributed over $1 million directly to local communities from 2018–2023. Villages invest these funds in self-selected development projects including livestock programs, education, and infrastructure. The project has improved livelihoods for 11,799 people and created 300+ jobs through agricultural programs, sustainable harvesting, and the Jahoo Gibbon Camp ecotourism venture.
Environmental Impact
Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary has the highest documented species count of any protected area in Cambodia, with more than 1,000 species recorded—including 15 species new to science. The project protects 85+ globally threatened species including the world's largest populations of black-shanked douc langurs (~25,000 individuals) and southern yellow-cheeked crested gibbons. Other flagship species include Asian elephants, giant ibis (Cambodia's national bird), and green peafowl. Since 2010, the project has prevented 25,000 hectares of predicted deforestation and avoided 20+ million tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Senken's Take
The Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+ Project sets the gold standard for community-centered forest conservation.
As Cambodia's largest carbon emission reduction program, this project demonstrates what's possible when rigorous conservation science meets genuine community partnership. The contrast with the neighboring Snoul Wildlife Sanctuary—which lost nearly all its forest cover and was degazetted—provides stark evidence of the project's effectiveness.
What makes Keo Seima exceptional is its holistic approach. Rather than treating carbon as an isolated metric, the project integrates biodiversity monitoring, Indigenous land rights, and sustainable livelihoods into a coherent strategy. The Cash for Communities program exemplifies this: by letting villages decide how to invest carbon revenue, the project builds local ownership of conservation outcomes.
The biodiversity credentials are equally impressive. With more species recorded than any other protected area in Cambodia—including the world's largest populations of black-shanked douc langurs and yellow-cheeked crested gibbons—this is a true biodiversity hotspot. The CCB Gold certification for exceptional biodiversity benefits is well-deserved.
For companies seeking REDD+ credits that combine climate impact with verified biodiversity benefits and genuine community co-benefits, Keo Seima represents a high-integrity choice backed by one of the most respected conservation organizations in the world.
As Cambodia's largest carbon emission reduction program, this project demonstrates what's possible when rigorous conservation science meets genuine community partnership. The contrast with the neighboring Snoul Wildlife Sanctuary—which lost nearly all its forest cover and was degazetted—provides stark evidence of the project's effectiveness.
What makes Keo Seima exceptional is its holistic approach. Rather than treating carbon as an isolated metric, the project integrates biodiversity monitoring, Indigenous land rights, and sustainable livelihoods into a coherent strategy. The Cash for Communities program exemplifies this: by letting villages decide how to invest carbon revenue, the project builds local ownership of conservation outcomes.
The biodiversity credentials are equally impressive. With more species recorded than any other protected area in Cambodia—including the world's largest populations of black-shanked douc langurs and yellow-cheeked crested gibbons—this is a true biodiversity hotspot. The CCB Gold certification for exceptional biodiversity benefits is well-deserved.
For companies seeking REDD+ credits that combine climate impact with verified biodiversity benefits and genuine community co-benefits, Keo Seima represents a high-integrity choice backed by one of the most respected conservation organizations in the world.
CCB Gold certification for biodiversity
Cambodia's first Indigenous Community Land Title in a protected area
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