Potential Impacts of Tree Plantation Projects under the CDM

An African Case Study

Our newest project, which is supported by the Siemenpuu Foundation in Finland, involves a study that will focus mainly on tree plantation carbon sinks in Tanzania, and in particular the planned tree plantation project of a Norwegian company, Green Resources Ltd, at Idete in southern Tanzania.

The company expects to receive 400 000 CDM carbon credits by planting nearly 6500 hectares of biodiverse grassland with alien eucalyptus and pine plantations, and to supply the carbon credits to the Norwegian government for use as offsets against carbon emissions from Norway.

The project has started with the production of the preliminary report (now available) by Blessing Karumbidza and Wally Menne, to be completed in time for the UNFCCC COP and related meetings that will be taking place from 7th-18th December 2009 in Copenhagen.

To download the report, click the image To download the report cover, click HERE.

During 2010 there will be further research, including field work in the vicinity of the plantation project at Idete. This study will lead up to a comprehensive report on the Idete tree plantation proposed CDM project, that will also examine issues such as biodiversity loss, socio-economic impacts, FSC certification, the carbon offset market, global timber and biomass fuel consumption trends, as well as possible alternative approaches to climate change mitigation.

Our intention is to publish the full report in time for the next UNFCCC COP to be held in November 2010 (venue not yet known).

A pdf flyer about the preliminary report, containing the front page and a summary of the report can be accessed HERE.

source: www.timberwatch.org