Forest conservation and sustainable agriculture for a better lifeThe project in eastern Zambia protects forests from illegal logging due to charcoal extraction or the conversion of forest to arable land. In addition, smallholders are being trained in improving farming methods so that carbon sequestration in existing arable land is promoted. This is achieved, for instance, through the cultivation of soil-carbon-increasing cash crops and less tillage.
Poor management practices in the past have led to soil degradation and uncoordinated land use has resulted in a high deforestation rate. The project activities take place on an area of about 260,000 hectares. The extensive use of the forest within the framework of a utilization plan, which allows e.g. beekeeping and mushroom picking, contributes significantly to biodiversity conservation.
The project has two components: while the main focus is on forest protection (REDD+), about 5 percent of carbon credits are generated through soil carbon sequestration.
How does forest protection help fight global warming?Forests are not only among the planet's most important carbon reservoirs. They also are home to an enormous diversity of species and are the livelihood for all people. However, global forest areas have declined sharply in recent decades due to increasing settlement, agricultural use, illegal logging and mining.
Forest protection projects ensure that forests are preserved in the long term and that the protection of forests is given a higher value than their deforestation. Together with the local population, project participants protect the area from negative influences. To allow for this the projects create alternative sources of income and educational opportunities. Depending on the project region, forests store varying amounts of carbon per hectare. Particularly high amounts of carbon are stored in the vegetation and soil of tropical swamp forests, primary rainforests, or mangroves. Forest protection projects in the ClimatePartner portfolio are registered with international standards.
