People power protecting rainforests

Three of the world’s largest rainforests remain standing thanks in part to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

From Peterborough to Peru, Penzance to Papua New Guinea, player’s support has meant a huge £1,250,000 has been raised to protect rainforests. All going towards supporting our work with Indigenous communities in the Amazon, Congo Basin and Papua New Guinea

“For thousands of years, Indigenous communities have been the stewards of the world’s rainforests, safeguarding 80% of the planet’s biodiversity”, says Hannah Peck, Deputy Director at Cool Earth. “However, these communities face considerable challenges and these irreplaceable ecosystems are being lost at an alarming rate.” 

Three Pillars of Success  

Thanks to funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, we’ve kick-started the world’s first basic income pilot for Indigenous people who live in rainforests. This direct financial support allows them to tackle their most urgent needs. This could be anything from improving access to clean water, food, healthcare or educational resources. 

The pilot is already seeing success with early results from one community showing that people are able to purchase more food to sustain themselves, have invested in crops and farming to reduce reliance on outside food sources, and are reporting fewer financial worries.

“But player’s support also means that Cool Earth can continue to invest in locally-led projects such as cacao farming and weaving – income-generating projects that enable communities to thrive without resorting to selling their land and deforestation.” 

“It has also meant that we can equip communities with technology and training so they can monitor their forests. This empowers them to identify threats like illegal logging and wildfires and take swift action”, says Hannah.  

Investing in a Sustainable Future 

For over 16 years, we have supported and empowered rainforest communities, bolstering their resilience and helping them defend their land and ways of life. Our projects are not only protecting rainforests, but also improving the lives of the people who call them home. 

“Rainforest communities are the key to rainforest protection. They can only continue to protect rainforest if they are strong and resilient enough to do so. This funding award is not only a win for rainforest protection and the climate, but also for the people living there – they now have more choice in what their futures look like,” concludes Hannah.  

Funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery are awarded through Postcode Planet Trust. The Trust’s mission is to support the environment and the enjoyment of nature.