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Forestry‐based carbon sequestration projects in Africa: Potential benefits and challenges

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  • Rohit Jindal
  • Brent Swallow
  • John Kerr

Abstract

Carbon sequestration through forestry and agroforestry can help mitigate global warming. For Africa, carbon sequestration also represents an opportunity to fund sustainable development through financial inflows. However, with a low share of global carbon trade, there are strong concerns that African countries are losing out on this valuable opportunity. Through a comprehensive review of 23 carbon sequestration projects across 14 countries, this paper discusses ways to overcome critical challenges to scale up carbon investments in Africa. These projects are expected to sequester 26.85 million tCO2 beyond the baseline situation. Within the continent, East Africa is the preferred destination for carbon investors. Most projects are non‐Kyoto compliant and represent voluntary emission reductions. While project benefits such as increased local incomes and improved natural resources are promising, there are concerns that conversion of grasslands into tree plantations can harm local ecosystems. Insecure land tenure constrains new investments and increases the risk that local communities will lose access to forests. Another challenge is that projects with smallholders have high transaction costs. These costs can be overcome by building strong community institutions and simplifying project guidelines. To attract more projects, African governments will need to build their capacity to identify relevant opportunities.

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  • Rohit Jindal & Brent Swallow & John Kerr, 2008. "Forestry‐based carbon sequestration projects in Africa: Potential benefits and challenges," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 32(2), pages 116-130, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:natres:v:32:y:2008:i:2:p:116-130
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1477-8947.2008.00176.x
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    3. Fisher, J.A. & Cavanagh, C.J. & Sikor, T. & Mwayafu, D.M., 2018. "Linking notions of justice and project outcomes in carbon offset forestry projects: Insights from a comparative study in Uganda," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 259-268.
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    6. Ogwu Stephen Obinozie & Eze Afamefuna A. & Uzoigwe Joshua C. & Orji Anthony & Maduka Anne Chinonye & Onwe Joshua Chukwuma, 2023. "Global Warming and Atmospheric Carbon: Is Carbon Sequestration a Myth or Reality?," Studia Universitatis „Vasile Goldis” Arad – Economics Series, Sciendo, vol. 33(1), pages 28-56, March.
    7. Juan Wu & Fangmiao Hou & Wenjing Yu, 2021. "The Effect of Carbon Sink Plantation Projects on Local Economic Growth: An Empirical Analysis of County-Level Panel Data from Guangdong Province," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-19, December.
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