We have set aside one third of the project area as a conservation arc, covering estuarine, montane and savannah ecosystems to ensure that critical biodiversity is protected.

Over the next few years, more than USD 200 million will be invested in commercial activities and infrastructure at Grande Mayumba, generating around 4,000 new jobs over the next 10 years, and providing much-needed socio-economic benefit. In the process, we will avoid many millions of tonnes of carbon emissions in the project area, preventing unplanned development, deforestation and degradation of the ecosystem while delivering sustained commercial value.

The Grande Mayumba Methodology

The Grande Mayumba Methodology For Sustainable Development in Tropical Ecosystems has been developed through the rigorous measurements of carbon stocks and detailed modelling of planned versus unplanned scenarios to maximise climate-smart development.

We have demonstrated that over 50 years, unplanned development combined with associated agricultural expansion, continued forest utilisation, increased exploitation of mineral resources and rapid urbanisation in rural areas, would lead to the rapid destruction of the Grande Mayumba landscape, its tropical forest coverage and unique ecosystems.

The avoided emissions resulting from implementation of Grande Mayumba’s Sustainable Development Plan, versus an unplanned business-as-usual scenario, can be calculated, verified and monetised in the form of carbon credits. Credits are generated for each tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (tCO2e) saved as a result of Grande Mayumba’s planned interventions, in line with the rigorous measurement, verification and auditing protocols set out in Gabon’s Sustainable Development and Climate Laws.

Our Sustainable Development Plan scopes out the development of significant regional infrastructure over the next decade, including roads, water and sanitation, sustainable energy and municipal services, as we roll out our activities. This will provide a major stimulus to the local economy.

Through our research partnership, forestLAB, community perspectives and socio-economic impacts of our development programme in Gabon will be monitored on an ongoing basis.