October 28, 2025— The Dominican Republic has received a payment of $4.18 million for reducing approximately 840,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) in 2021. This marks the country's first payment under the Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA) with the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) — a significant milestone in its efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, commonly known as REDD+, and a reflection of its commitment to inclusive climate action and sustainable land use.

The FCPF program in the Dominican Republic is distinguished by its strong emphasis on participation and inclusion, engaging a wide range of stakeholders including local communities, small and medium producers, and civil society organizations.

The payment will be distributed in accordance with an inclusive Benefit Sharing Plan, enabling new investments on the ground that will support sustainable rural livelihoods and job creation. The investments will open opportunities in reforestation, agroforestry, and conservation-related services. Local communities can benefit directly from training, new employment, and improved value chains. By supporting sustainable landscapes and the management of natural parks, the program also contributes to the development of eco-tourism development, generating economic opportunities in areas where forestry and biodiversity are key attractions.

The program is jointly implemented by agencies from both the environment and agriculture sectors, promoting cross-sectoral collaboration and ensuring that climate action is integrated into broader development goals. At the center of its strategy are the country’s natural protected areas, recognized for their vital role in conserving biodiversity and strengthening climate resilience. The program is also a core component of the Dominican Republic’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, reinforcing its commitment to global climate goals.

Through the FCPF program, the Dominican Republic has demonstrated its ability to achieve high-integrity social and environmental outcomes at scale. The country has invested significantly in strengthening its environmental and social (E&S) management systems and building E&S capacity across all participating agencies. These efforts help ensure the social integrity of emission reductions and support broader national goals of aligning with international E&S best practices. Moreover, the Dominican Republic has adopted innovative satellite technologies to detect and map forest degradation with high accuracy.  These innovations aim to produce high-integrity carbon credits by upholding rigorous environmental and social standards throughout program implementation.

This first payment not only validates the country’s progress in reducing emissions but also sets the stage for continued investment in sustainable forest management and inclusive rural development.