East Rennell Photo UNESCO Joan de la Malla

East Rennell | Solomon Islands

East Rennell communities are working towards conserving 7,800 hectares of forest as a legal protected area—giving their UNESCO World Heritage listing a boost and providing sustainable development for their people.

East Rennell is famous as a UNESCO World Heritage Conservation Area for its unique landscape, culture and biodiversity.

However, despite its world-renowned status, income opportunities for landowners in East Rennell have remained limited over the past 28 years. This has created uncertainty about the future and increased the risk of logging to meet the growing need for income.

With equitable access to income from forest carbon, landowners can protect the forests and biodiversity of East Rennell while maintaining World Heritage status, drawing global recognition and visitors seeking unique nature and cultural experiences.

7,800 hectaresof rainforest to be legally protected
11 tribescollaborating on one project
1200 community membersparticipating in the project
Eastern shoreline of Rennell showing limestone cliffs by the ocean with the eastern tip of lake tegano visable and the ocean also visable on the top right side 2Travelling to the eastern most end of lake Tegano in 15 horse power outboard motor which is the main mode of transport within the Lake 3

"Our environment is very vulnerable to any development such as logging and mining, which are currently going on right on the East Rennell boundary."

George Tauika, East Rennell
Red footed Booby Sula sula chick on nest Lake teganoCollared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris amoenus 5

PARTNERS

The East Rennell Forest Carbon Project is in partnership with Live and Learn Solomon Islands, Nakau and Live and Learn International. It is funded through the Conservation Finance for Forests and Communities project with New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.   

Sirebe Forest Photo Marian Reid Nakau

Other projects

Sobehatunga, Viru Solomon Islands

Protecting 1000+ hectares of lowland forest on New Georgia Island for local income and resources. Supported by MCC and implemented by NRDF and Nakau.

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Kira, East Malaita Solomon Islands

Working with landowners to establish their carbon project on 661 hectares of protected rainforest. Supported by MCC and implemented by Live and Learn and Nakau.

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Yato, East Makira Solomon Islands

Yato Protected Area protects 10,000 hectares of primary rainforest—a portion of this will form a carbon project. Supported by MCC and implemented by Live and Learn and Nakau.

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RISE Asia-Pacific

Rights, Integrity, Safeguards and Equity in carbon markets. Working with Live and Learn and Plan Vivo. Supported by UK-Aid through FGMC.

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Sirebe Solomon Islands

Sirebe Tribe are protecting 806 hectares of rainforest on South Choiseul and supporting 500 community members. They are part of the Babatana Rainforest Conservation Project. 

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Siporae Solomon Islands

Siporae Tribe are protecting 666 hectares of rainforest on South Choiseul and supporting 900 community members. They are part of the Babatana Rainforest Conservation Project.

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Padezaka Solomon Islands

Padezaka Tribe are protecting 4,823 hectares of rainforest on South Choiseul and supporting 4,000 community members. They are part of the Babatana Rainforest Conservation Project.

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Drawa Fiji

On Vanua Levu, eight mataqali are working together to protect the Drawa rainforest. They were one of the first Pacific communities to use the Nakau Methodology. 

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Loru Vanuatu

In East Santo, the Serakar Clan are the traditional custodians of a small but important section of remnant rainforest that connects the community with the sea.

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East Rennell stories