Alto Huayabamba: Carbon Dioxide sequestration through reforestation with small-scale farmers in Peru, San Martin Region

Audit Analysis

This VCS reforestation project in Peru has VVB-confirmed additionality and documented safeguards, but is undermined by a significant reversal event (25,147 tCO2e loss), a questionable zero-leakage claim, extensive data-quality issues flagged by the VVB, and verified removals that represent only about 17–20% of the pro-rata expectation for the elapsed monitoring period. Six contradictions across documents, 19 corrective action requests, and a 15.6% project-area reduction further erode confidence in the integrity and accuracy of the credit claims.

Project Description

Red Flags

• ⚠Reversal event of 25,147 tCO2e (8% of previously verified removals) reported during the 2019–2023 monitoring period, deducted from gross removals
• ⚠Zero leakage deduction justified as 'deemed negligible' in the 2025 verification report, yet the 2019 appendix described leakage as 'quantified' — the VVB issued a CAR demanding scientific evidence for the zero-leakage claim
• ⚠Verified removals of 23,164 tCO2e represent only ~17% of the linear pro-rata expectation (~135,500 tCO2e) for the 4.7-year monitoring period out of the 40-year crediting period, even before accounting for the non-linear growth curve of reforestation
• ⚠Project area reduced from 1,613 ha to 1,361 ha (15.6% loss) due to data-quality issues, with inconsistencies in GIS tracks, parcel coding, and overlapping areas flagged
• ⚠19 corrective action requests, 14 non-material findings, 5 additional documentation requests, and 7 clarification requests issued by the VVB, indicating systemic documentation and calculation weaknesses

Credit Vintages