Evaluation of the potential reduction of greenhouse gases by environmental services certificates granted in Paraguay under the framework of Law 3001

Abstract

Nature-based solutions, consisting of the protection and restoration of forests due to their particular characteristic of acting as carbon sinks, have emerged as measures to combat climate change. To protect these forest ecosystems in Paraguay, Law 3001 was enacted, establishing the valuation and compensation of environmental services. This law aims to conserve, protect, recover, and sustainably develop the country's biological diversity and natural resources through the fair, timely, and adequate valuation and compensation of environmental services. This study evaluates the potential reductions of greenhouse gases (GHG) of certificate holders of environmental services in Paraguay under the framework of Law 3001. The results show that CO2eq sequestration by certified areas represents 10% of GHG emissions in 2017; therefore, a total of approximately 2,578,042 - 3,338,438 hectares of certified areas are needed to offset 50% of Paraguay’s GHG emissions. It concludes that focusing efforts on directly reducing the country's emissions, considering its different sectors, is crucial. Furthermore, implementing forest restoration measures, which can be a new approach to Law 3001, and considering sustainable measures for agricultural activities such as the implementation of agroforestry, silvopastoral production, and forest management silvopastoral systems to achieve SDGs as established in the Paraguay National Development Plan 2030 (PND), is recommended.