Improving livelihoods through afforestationThrough afforestation, this project reduces greenhouse gases in Huangping, Wengan and Anlong counties in the Chinese province of Guizhou. Here, the degraded soil and karstic rocky landscape have a negative impact on the survival of animal and plant species as well as on the socio-economic development of the region. Therefore, our climate project aims to sequester greenhouse gases and mitigate climate change while preserving biodiversity, improving soil and water conservation, and creating income and employment opportunities for local people.
Since 2016, the project has planted 39,000 hectares of native tree species such as fir, cypress and pine, which are highly adaptable to the barren landscape. The reforestation areas belong to the villagers and are managed by village committees. The project creates 28,500 temporary jobs for farmers, and 80 long-term jobs for technicians, with women accounting for 60 percent of both jobs.
How does reforestation/afforestation/revegetation contribute to climate action?Forests are essential in our lives and are among the planet's most important carbon sinks. Besides providing habitats for wildlife, they filter the air, stabilise and protect soils, store water, and contribute to the balance of our climate. However, global forest areas have declined sharply in recent decades due to increasing settlements, agriculture, illegal logging, and raw material extraction. Afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation activities significantly increase a forest’s carbon storage capacity in both the biomass of the forest and in the soil. The storage capacity varies according to the tree species, age, and location. Experts distinguish these activities in the following way:
Afforestation converts non-forested areas into forest ones. Reforestation restores forest areas that have been damaged or deforested in the past. Revegetation increases the vegetation through planting trees, shrubs, or other plants. Reforestation projects in the ClimatePartner portfolio are registered with international standards.
