FOREST CONSERVATION
For Carbon Tanzania, conserving forests is about more than simply protecting habitats and wildlife – it is about taking a stand against global climate change. Deforestation currently accounts for approximately 10-15% of the world’s carbon emissions – this means if we can stop deforestation, we can help slow down the rate of global climate change.
We develop REDD+ projects (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) in conjunction with communities who live and depend on Tanzania’s existing forest. Consequently we are able to not only conserve forests and contribute to climate change mitigation, but also to promote the sustainable development of some of the poorest communities in Africa.
Whether as a large organisation or as an individual you can support forest conservation, forest communities and combat global climate change by offsetting your carbon emissions with us. To offset your emissions all you have to do is measure your emissions, reduce them where possible and then buy our certified, forest carbon offsets to balance out the remaining, unavoidable emissions.
To start with, we at Carbon Tanzania assess the level of your carbon emissions and develop a plan of action to reduce them, which often has the added advantage of identifying opportunities for cost reductions. We then offer solutions to offset your remaining, unavoidable emissions through buying forest carbon offsets from the REDD+ forest conservation project of your choice. – Sarah Borman
Carbon Tanzania’s REDD+ Projects
Yaeda Valley REDD+ Project
Working with the Hadza, one of Africa’s last hunter/gatherer communities, we protect 35,000ha of forest in the Yaeda Valley, an area that the Hadza have called home for thousands of years. The forest is currently under threat of deforestation from outsiders looking for new grazing pastures and farmers clearing land for crop production. These forests provide food and shelter for the Hadza who are deeply connected to their environment – and without these ancient forests and woodlands the Hadza’s culture and lifestyle would be lost forever.
Your support enables us to:
Secure land title for the Hadza over their ancestral homeland.
Create forest community land use plans to designate protected zones and farming zones.
Provide salaries to community guards (Walizi Wajadi) who protect the forest from deforestation and wildlife eradication.
Train the Hadza to scientifically measure the carbon stock of the forest.
Continue injecting US$25,000 per year in carbon offset revenue to the Hadza forest communities, in order to support a Hadza health fund, school fees, emergency food provisions and ongoing village development.
Prevent deforestation in forests that store over 30,000 tonnes of carbon per annum.
This project is certified by Plan Vivo. Operational since 2012
Projects under development
Makame Savannah
This large landscape REDD+ project in northern Tanzania, aims to provide incentives to the pastoralist Masai in order to manage and conserve large tracts of woodland in Masailand – an ecosystem rich in wildlife such as elephants, lions, African wild dogs, zebra and various antelope species.
Your support will enable:
Community ownership of resources as the forest communities manage their own woodlands.
New forms of income through the sale of forest carbon offsets.
Poverty alleviation through increased forest carbon revenue and development.
Habitat protection for, amongst others, elephants, lions, African wild dogs, and zebra.
Conservation of Tanzania’s forests storing carbon, thereby minimising the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and mitigating climate change.
Proposed certification by VCS and CCBA. In process since June 2015
Ntakata Mountains
The Ntakata Mountains project will provide incentives that enable five village communities and two district governments to better manage and conserve large tracts of biologically diverse Miombo woodland. The REDD+ project area is adjacent to Mahale Mountains National Park in western Tanzania. This landscape level carbon project is designed specifically to protect the core habitat of the largest Chimpanzee population in East Africa. These forests are threatened by a combination of illegal timber extraction, charcoal and slash and burn agriculture.
Your support will provide:
Community ownership over their own resources as they manage their forest.
New forms of income through the sale of forest carbon offsets.
Poverty alleviation through increased revenue and development.
Protection of habitat for 9 species of primates including Chimpanzees.
Protection of Tanzania’s forests that store carbon, minimising the release of carbon dioxide.
Carbon Tanzania is developing this project in partnership with The Nature Conservancy
Proposed certification by VCS & CCBA – start date December 2015
REDD+ Pilot Initiative in Kilwa District
Community Forest Reserves, created through this REDD+ project, protect the local forests from deforestation while allowing for the sustainable harvesting of high-value timber. REDD+ carbon offsets are then generated through the community protection of the region’s Miombo woodlands and coastal forest areas, further serving to mitigate global climate change.
Your support will enable:
The community-led management of forests.
Premium prices for sustainably harvested timber, for the benefit of the forest community.
New forms of income through the sale of REDD+ carbon offsets.
Protection of elephants, buffalos and lions that disperse seasonally from the Selous Game Reserve.
Conservation of forests storing carbon, thereby minimising the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and mitigating climate change.
VCS Fire management methodology approved November 2015 – PD under development for certification by VCS and CCBA in 2016.
Carbon Tanzania, in partnership with the Mpingo Conservation Development Initiative (MCDI), will be marketing the forest carbon offsets generated on this project for the benefit of the forest communities involved.