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Kennedy School Bestows Inaugural Roy Family Award to Bolivia-U.S. Public-Private PartnershipCAMBRIDGE, MA—April 3, 2003—The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is proud to announce the inaugural winner of the Roy Family Award, established to recognize an outstanding effort by public and private sector organizations working together to protect our environment or preserve uniquely valuable natural resources. After reviewing applications from around the world, the 2003 Roy Family Award will be presented to the Noel Kempff Mercado Climate Action Project. The project partners are American Electric Power (AEP), BP, the Government of Bolivia, Fundación Amigos de la Naturaleza (FAN), PacifiCorp, and The Nature Conservancy. "The Nature Conservancy is honored to be part of the partnership that received such a prestigious award from Harvard University," said Steve McCormick, the Conservancy's president. "Seven years ago when the Conservancy brought together all of these dedicated partners, we were confident we could truly make a difference. Today, this partnership is proving that a well-designed forest conservation and management project can benefit the environment and local communities." The Noel Kempff Mercado Climate Action Project, one of the largest carbon sequestration projects in the world, reduces emissions of greenhouse gases by preventing deforestation from logging and other land uses. Globally, deforestation contributes nearly 25 percent of annual carbon dioxide emissions. The project is both a global model for an innovative approach to climate protection, and more significantly, a prime example of how governments, non-governmental organizations, and private companies can cooperate to promote sustainable development with lasting benefits for local communities as well as our global environment. "The Noel Kempff Climate Action Project is a public and private partnership to prove that forest carbon sequestration is a cost-effective greenhouse gas mitigation option that should be included in the broad response to global climate change, said E. Linn Draper Jr., AEP’s Chairman, President and CEO. "This project has protected an enormously rich and biologically diverse area from deforestation, while also fostering sustainable development of the local communities. In the process, we have developed cutting edge technologies for accurately monitoring and verifying the carbon absorbed by the forest ecosystem. We hope that our collaboration guides and inspires organizations interested in undertaking similar initiatives and helps inform the policy debate on this important issue." With an initial investment of $9.6 million in 1997, the project partners purchased and retired the logging rights on 2 million acres of forestland adjacent to one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world – Bolivia’s Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. This effectively doubled the Park’s size. In addition, an endowment fund was established to ensure that this unique resource will be protected and well-managed in perpetuity. The project is projected to prevent the emission of 7 million tons of carbon (or over 21 million metric tons of carbon dioxide) during its 30 years. "As a power company, we continually seek means of reducing the environmental impact of electric generation and usage," explained Judi Johansen, PacifiCorp president and CEO. "The Noel Kempff project has tangible benefits that go beyond carbon offsets in terms of biodiversity, preserving forests, providing community development funds and preserving an important piece of Bolivia’s natural heritage." Demonstrating the viability of terrestrial carbon sequestration was only one of the project’s many benefits. The partners paid particular attention to ensuring sustainable economic development opportunities, and providing important ancillary benefits to the local community. These efforts include helping to improve the quality of life in the local communities, by introducing alternative options for sustainable livelihoods and improving the management of natural resources. The project partners also allocated resources to the five communities on the edge of the park. Funding supports revolving loan funds for micro-enterprises, health care and education programs, improvements in the water and transportation infrastructure, and legal assistance to indigenous people seeking land title. "Bolivia is proud to show the world a successful project where public, private and community partnerships from developed and developing countries can join forces to benefit conservation," said Jaime Rozenmann, president of Fundación Amigos de la Naturaleza (FAN). "The Noel Kempff Mercado Climate Action Project proves biodiversity conservation can be attained through scientifically sound and economically feasible activities that mitigate climate change. We value the confidence given by the Government of Bolivia as well as the conviction of the companies involved for making investments in this up and coming field." "The Noel Kempff Climate Action Project demonstrates that it is possible to create projects that have a measurable impact on the world. Through forest and biodiversity conservation and the reduction of deforestation, which constitutes one of the principal sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the land-use sector, the Project also benefits local communities who are principal actors and guardians of this important natural legacy" said Oscar Paz, National Coordinator of the National Climate Change Program for the Vice-Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources. "In spite of significant economic limitations, Bolivia endeavors to attain worldwide recognition for its demonstrated efforts to conserve its forests and to mitigate climate change with participation of local community. The Roy Family Award is an incentive for the country to continue on this path." About the Award The Roy Family Award was established by the Environment and Natural Resources Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government to recognize public-private partnerships that have attained exemplary achievements in the area of environmental protection and natural resources conservation. The Award is given to specific projects that demonstrate leadership, innovation, strategic planning, community focus, sustainability, and could be replicated in other geographic or programmatic areas. The bi-annual award is being given for the first time in 2003. The Roy Family has been a long-time supporter of the development of public-private partnerships to meet social goals. The family, through its businesses and involvement, is dedicated to promoting innovative approaches to environmental policy, and the conservation of natural resources. |
