“A Big Idea From a Small Country”

The Initiative Yasuni ITT is the insignia project of the Ecuadorian Government in regards to the environment. It aims to prevent the exploitation of an important oilfield in order to protect one of the richest areas in regards to biodiversity in the world, located in the Ecuadorian Amazonia: the Yasuni National Park, declared a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO. A sole hectare in this Park holds more species than the whole of North America!

The Ishpingo - Tambococha - Tiputini oilfield holds a reserve of approximately 850 million crude barrels. The exploitation of this material would mean the emission of 407 million tons of carbon dioxide. The Ecuadorian Government seeks for a compensation of the international community of at least half the income that this oil exploitation would produce.

The other half would be the Ecuadorians’ contribution. If this dream is accomplished, the Government of Ecuador commits to indefinitely refraining from exploiting the oil reserves in this area.

What are the direct benefits of the Yasuni - ITT Project?

• 407 million tons of CO2 will be prevented from being emitted into the atmosphere.
• The enormous biological wealth of the Yasuni National Park will be preserved.
• Respect to the indigenous cultures of the peoples living in voluntary isolation within the Yasuni Park.
• Social development projects will be implemented in the project’s area of influence, addressing health, education, and sustainable employment.
• Support for Ecuador’s transition from an extractive economy to a sustainable development model, with the widespread use of renewable energy sources, respect for biodiversity and social equality.
• The reinvestment of the donated funds into renewable energy sources will reduce or eliminate the generation of electricity from petroleum derivatives, which currently accounts for 47% of all electric power in the country.

For more information visit: www.yasuni-itt.gov.ec

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