Forests for People

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delivering multiple benefits beyond carbon, such as social and

ecosystem-based benefits. Social benefits result when measures

accompany successful REDD+ projects and strategies. These may

include employment and livelihoods, equitable land tenure clarifi-

cation for indigenous peoples and local communities, carbon credit

payments or enhanced participation in decision-making under

stronger governance. The ecosystem-based benefits arise from the

result rather than the measures: i.e. from the retention, restoration

or better management of forest ecosystems. These benefits are the

conservation of forest biodiversity, and ecosystem services,

which,

as well as climate mitigation, include flood prevention, water regula-

tion, soil conservation and the provision of timber and non-timber

forest products (such as charcoal, medicines, fibre, gums and food).

The degradation of these services is felt on the ground by people

dependent on natural resources, but may go unnoticed at the

national and global levels.

Ecosystem-based multiple benefits are important to countries

implementing REDD+ for several reasons. First, for the benefits

themselves, which accrue from local (e.g. forest foods) to global

(e.g. biodiversity) scales and can support commitments made

by countries under related multilateral agreements such as the

Convention on Biological Diversity. Second, for their contribu-

tion to the long-term viability of REDD+, both through their role in

increasing the value and thus acceptance of REDD+ amongst local

people and at an international level, and through their role in the

resilience of forest carbon stocks.

Third, in some cases multiple

benefits are central to the investment in REDD+, with national

decision makers starting to prioritize forest areas that will deliver

The REDD+ Kasigau Project in Kenya

The purpose of the REDD+ Kasigau Project is to permanently

protect the dryland

Acacia-Commiphora

forest that forms

a wildlife dispersal and migration corridor between Tsavo

East and Tsavo West National Parks in Kenya. The project

will also conserve the biodiversity found in those forests,

provide alternative sustainable development opportunities

for the local communities and prevent the emissions that

would otherwise occur were those dry forests to be converted

to subsistence agriculture. Carbon financing has enabled

community projects such as building of schools, higher

education bursaries for children, and support for local

women’s and land conservancy groups.

Afforestation of

deforested water catchments may have potential benefits

for water availability and water quality for pastoral and

agricultural communities although these benefits have not

been measured or quantified.

From the Ochna species, this coastal forest tree produces a fruit that has great commercial potential and brings income opportunities for local entrepreneurs

Image: Olivier Hamerlynck/KENWEB

Image: Wildlife Works Inc.