Keo Seima REDD+ Project
Protecting Cambodia’s forests, biodiversity and indigenous livelihoods through avoided deforestation
The Keo Seima REDD+ Project protects one of Cambodia’s most ecologically rich forest landscapes, preventing deforestation while delivering significant climate, biodiversity and community benefits. Through the conservation of large-scale tropical rainforest, the project avoids carbon emissions, safeguards endangered species and supports indigenous communities whose lives and cultures are inseparable from the forest.
Covering a vast protected area in eastern Cambodia, the project is one of the country’s largest and most successful conservation initiatives. Carbon finance plays a critical role in enabling long-term forest protection in a region facing some of the highest deforestation rates globally.
Location: Eastern Cambodia
Project type: REDD+ (avoided deforestation)
Project impacts
Climate & environment
- Avoided greenhouse gas emissions through the prevention of deforestation
- Protection of approximately 166,983 hectares of tropical forest within the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary
- Conservation of critical habitats supporting exceptional biodiversity
- Protection of endangered and critically endangered species, including: Asian elephant, Southern yellow-cheeked gibbon & Black-shanked douc langur
- Preservation of ecosystem services vital for climate regulation and landscape resilience
Social & economic
- Creation of approximately 1,280 full-time jobs through project activities
- Improved access to clean water and water quality for 4,162 people
- Improved access to education, with 165 individuals benefiting directly from enhanced educational outcomes
- Support for food security, livelihoods and income generation for local communities
- Protection of the cultural heritage and land rights of the Bunong indigenous people, for whom the forest is central to identity, spirituality and community life
This project contributes to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, delivering measurable environmental and social outcomes.
Project details
The Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary (KSWS) covers more than 290,000 hectares in eastern Cambodia and is characterised by diverse forest types, striking landscapes and exceptionally high biodiversity. The sanctuary is home to indigenous peoples and a wide range of wildlife species, many of which are threatened by habitat loss elsewhere in the region.
Cambodia has experienced one of the highest rates of deforestation globally, with national tree cover declining by approximately 28% between 2000 and 2020. Illegal land clearance and forest conversion pose ongoing risks to both climate stability and biodiversity.
The Keo Seima REDD+ Project plays a fundamental role in halting deforestation, preventing illegal encroachment and maintaining forest cover. By leveraging carbon finance, the project enables long-term protection of forest ecosystems while delivering measurable social and environmental benefits.
Collaborations
The project is supported through collaboration with Anthesis, which contributes financing and enables the delivery of climate, environmental and social initiatives linked to the project. The REDD+ initiative is certified under both VCS and CCB standards, ensuring robust accounting of emissions reductions alongside strong community and biodiversity outcomes.
Quality criteria
Through rigorous auditing, monitoring, and adherence to international standards, Anthesis ensures all projects provide credible, lasting impact for both climate and local communities.
- Certified under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standard
- Clear additionality through avoided deforestation in a high-risk region
- Robust monitoring, reporting and verification of emissions reductions
- Strong, independently verified social and biodiversity co-benefits
- Long-term protection of indigenous land use and cultural heritage
- Alignment with internationally recognised best practice for REDD+ projects
All Anthesis-supported carbon removal projects undergo independent verification to confirm permanent carbon storage and measurable environmental benefits. Projects must demonstrate alignment with UN SDGs 12, 13, and 15, promote soil and ecosystem health, and deliver robust climate and nature outcomes.
Project facts
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