BY CHRIS ALEX

Following the recent official signing last week of the Payment Ecosystem Service (PES) Agreement with the Natural Resources Development Foundation (NRDF) and Nakau, the Padezaka Tribal Association in South Choiseul has taken a major step forward in its Carbon Project journey by conducting its first-ever Carbon Project Audit Verification today at Sasamuqa village.

The verification process was held via a zoom interview with MUTU International, a certification body based in Indonesia and took place at the NRDF office in Sasamuqa Village.

This milestone marks a critical stage in the tribe’s efforts to enter the global carbon credit market.

The PES agreement paves the way for Padezaka tribe to engage in carbon trading by formalizing their commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable land use.

As part of the process, the audit verification is a mandatory requirement before any carbon credits can be sold to potential buyers.

The day-long verification session included interviews with selected representatives from various community sectors.

The project includes members of the Protected Area Committee, tribal clans, women’s savings clubs and Protected Area rangers, reflecting a wide spectrum of community involvement and governance in the project.

NRDF’s Program Coordinator praised the participation and cooperation of the community, noting that this verification process not only strengthens transparency but also empowers the local people in managing and benefiting from their natural resources.

This initiative is part of a broader movement across the Solomon Islands to involve indigenous communities in climate action and carbon financing; giving them a stake in global efforts to combat climate change.

The final audit report by MUTU International is expected in the coming weeks, which will determine the project’s eligibility for entering the carbon credit market.

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