Forest Conservation Project Motor Verde Gains Status as First Verra-Accredited Forest on the Iberian Peninsula

In a significant stride towards climate change mitigation and sustainability, the Motor Verde project, jointly promoted by Grupo Sylvestris and Fundación Repsol, has secured the first Verra certification in the Iberian Peninsula for a forest in Asturias, Spain.

The two-year-long certification process involved professionals from Grupo Sylvestris, Fundación Repsol, consultancy firms Global Factor, Climit, and Carbosur, and the non-profit organisation, Fundación Repsol.

Verra, a global leader in certifying climate and sustainability solutions, is best known for its Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), the world's most widely used carbon credit certification system. This certification signifies that the Motor Verde project meets strict permanence and verification criteria for climate change mitigation.

The certified forest, located in Grandas de Salime, spans 87 hectares and has been restored through reforestation efforts after several fires in 2017. The reforestation work is expected to capture over 43,000 tons of CO2 over a 50-year period.

The Motor Verde project is a pioneering reforestation initiative that focuses on restoring biodiversity in degraded environments for carbon removal, while also seeking to generate a positive social and economic impact in the areas where it operates.

Javier Torres, Director of Social Impact at Fundación Repsol, emphasises the project's goal of generating a triple transformative effect on the environment, society, and economy to advance an energy transition that leaves no one behind.

Francisco Martinez, co-founder and Technical Director of Grupo Sylvestris, highlights that the project's unique aspect is that Grupo Sylvestris is the developer itself, not just an aggregator of third-party initiatives.

The project has already reforested a total of 390 hectares in Grandas de Salime, creating over 61 local job opportunities. Of these, 19 jobs were provided for people in vulnerable situations, offering both income and long-term opportunities for workers and their families.

Motor Verde prioritises the use of local suppliers and forestry service companies to strengthen the local economy. In addition, Fundación Repsol and Grupo Sylvestris have developed training programs in cross-cutting skills, digital tools, and rural entrepreneurship, involving 163 local people.

Iker Larrea, Partner and Head of Markets at Global Factor, sees this as a significant opportunity for sustainable projects in Spain, particularly in forestry, transport, and energy sectors. The Motor Verde project is now a European benchmark for nature-based solutions, opening opportunities for international projects adhering to high decarbonization and sustainability standards.

The organisations involved in the Motor Verde project in Grandas de Salime are Grupo Sylvestris, Fundación Repsol, the Grandas de Salime City Council, and local social organisations. The project has not only contributed to the environment and local employment but also set a new standard for sustainable development in the region.

Forest Conservation Project Motor Verde Gains Status as First Verra-Accredited Forest on the Iberian Peninsula