Farm Africa moves towards accreditation for forest carbon payments

04 June 2014

Farm Africa is thrilled at the success of its Forestry Management Projects in the Bale eco-region of Ethiopia. The first phase project developed a model for a partnership between forest communities and local Government to sustainably manage the forest. This approach, Participatory Forest Management (PFM), has proved so successful that the Ethiopian Government has adopted it more broadly in its forest management work throughout the country, supported in part by Farm Africa.

The next stage of the project involves gaining official recognition from Independent Carbon Standards bodies for the Government to market Carbon Credits- the reductions in emissions that have resulted from communities saving and restoring the forest. This scheme, known generally as REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), will enable Government to generate revenues (to be shared with communities) from these reductions in emissions. Before this can happen, a mandatory consultation process takes place. This is to be run by the Climate Community and Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA). This body will certify that the emissions reductions claimed by the Government are indeed taking place, and that the community management system is likely to lead to continued restoration of the forest in Bale. Farm Africa has been providing intensive support to Government and communities throughout this process to make this REDD+ scheme a reality, and this is the final stage in the process.

Interested parties should consult the CCBA website  for further information. The documentation around the scheme will be open for public consultation until July 2nd 2014. 

You can find out more about Farm Africa's forestry management project in Bale by reading an article on the project in The Guardian.