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ThemeCarbon as a funding mechanism for conservation

A knowledge exchange and networking programme for African NGOs 

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Funds are becoming increasingly available for carbon projects. Since 2005, the voluntary carbon market is showing a steady growth that is expected to continue in the coming years (2007: 65Mton CO2 = 330.8 US$ millions, of which 18% in forestry projects)(1). Most buyers in the voluntary market are willing to pay a premium for projects with biodiversity and community benefits(2). REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation), is expected to play a key role in the new global climate treaty to take effect from 2012, thereby increasing funding opportunities from the carbon market, whether fund or market based, even more. Unfortunately, Africa is not tapping this funding source as yet, accounting for only 1% of CDM and 2% of the voluntary market(1). Despite a strong interest among buyers for forest carbon credits from Africa(2), only a few African NGOs use carbon as a funding mechanism for forest conservation and ecological restoration of degraded areas. Global climate policies with associated funding mechanisms and the voluntary carbon market are often perceived as too complex and unattainable for small projects.

Through training and networking, the World Land Trust (WLT) and IUCN-NL, aim to enable African partner NGOs to benefit from carbon funding opportunities. The training will cover both general aspects of global climate policy and associated funding mechanisms and technical aspects of voluntary forest carbon projects with high biodiversity value. We also aim to explore lessons learned from existing forest carbon projects in Africa and identify key challenges and opportunities for such projects in the African context. The training will include workshops and an on site demonstration of a forest carbon project. In addition, a selected group of NGOs will be assisted with development of forest carbon project proposals. Training material will be developed and will be disseminated through the African networks of WLT, IUCN and the Natureandpoverty.net portal.

In doing this, we aim to create a network of stronger African NGOs positioned to profit from carbon opportunities and to understand developments in the global climate policy post Copenhagen, spreading the knowledge and capacity to mitigate climate change whilst delivering many other environmental benefits.

Although there is no more room for NGO participants in the current training, the training may be repeated in the future, depending on demand.

 

Update: 2 March 2010

The first workshop was held recently from the 15th-18th February in Akosombo, Ghana. 22 organisations participated from all over Africa with a total of 34 people attending all together including trainers, staff and representatives from IUCN-NL. The workshop was a success with a combination of excellent trainers and motivated participants discussing many exciting potential projects and ideas for the future. The trainers (alongside WLT) included John Mason from NCRC, Khosi Ramachela from the Peace Parks Foundation (PPF) South Africa, and Denis Slieker from Face the Future (formerly the FACE Foundation) from the Netherlands; all of which have much experience in this field and were willing to share lessons learnt and offer their advice to participants to help them with their next steps.

Proceedings will be made freely available on this platform.

The 2nd workshop will be held in early May and runs from Tanzania into Uganda. This will be for a smaller number of NGOs selected from the first workshop who are best placed to go on and benefit most from this more detailed and practical training.

For additional info/input, contact: Kristina Turner:KTurner(at)worldlandtrust.org or Mark van der Wal: mark.vanderwal(at)iucn.nl

 

 

 

 

[1]Hamilton et al., 2008, Forging a Frontier:State of the Voluntary Carbon Markets 2008,  Ecosystem Market place & New Carbon Finance.

[2] Neeff et al., 2009,  The forest carbon offsetting survey 2009, Ecosecurities.