Mozambique receives US$6.4 million and is the first country to receive payments for carbon emission reductions
The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) has paid Mozambique US$6.4 million for the reduction of 1.28 million tons of carbon emissions since 2019.
The payment is the first of four under the country's Emission Reduction Payment Agreement (ERPA) with the FCPF that could unlock up to US$50 million to reduce up to 10 million tonnes of C02 emissions in Mozambique's Zambezia province by the end of 2024.
To receive the first payment, Mozambique submitted an official monitoring report confirming emission reductions following an independent third-party verification between September 2020 and May 2021.
Payments reward efforts to reduce carbon emissions by combating deforestation and forest degradation.
“Preventing deforestation and stepping up efforts to restore those that have already been damaged are essential actions to ensure a safer, climate-resilient and more prosperous future for local communities and the country as a whole,” said Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough , World Bank Director for Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Comoros. "These efforts are costly and payment arrangements like these can be a game changer as they provide much-needed funding to improve the sustainable management and resilience of forests."
The payment is an acknowledgment of Mozambique's contribution to the implementation of emission reduction activities, such as adopting sustainable agricultural practices, monitoring the use of forest resources or restoring degraded land.
The program currently covers nine districts in Zambezia province: Alto Molocue, Gile, Gurue, Ile, Maganja da Costa, Mocuba, Mocubela, Mulevala and Pebane. Local communities will receive a share of pre-agreed payments in relation to their contribution to reducing deforestation. A benefit-sharing plan prepared with local actors and communities that have contributed to the results will ensure that they receive the most benefits. This will allow stakeholders to continue to promote community management of natural resources and restoration of degraded areas, while encouraging conservation-friendly, nutrition-sensitive, and climate-smart agricultural models.
“Forest communities are the real winners here. This agreement will allow Mozambique to secure long-term financing to provide alternatives to deforestation and reward efforts to mitigate climate change, reduce poverty, and manage natural resources sustainably to meet Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) targets . This is a big step forward for the country's ongoing efforts to save forests and halt deforestation,” said Ivete Joaquim Maibaze, Mozambique's Minister of Land and Environment.
About 43 percent, or 34 million hectares of Mozambique's global territory, is covered by natural forests that have been severely degraded over the years. This program seeks to reduce deforestation and forest degradation, while improving the lives of rural populations in Zambézia province. In August 2021, Mozambique will present its second Emissions Reduction Monitoring Report, covering the period from January 2019 to December 2020. By the end of 2024, the country hopes to avoid emissions of 10 million tons of carbon.
The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) is a global partnership of governments, business, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples organizations focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, conserving forest carbon stocks, sustainable forest management, and increasing forest carbon stocks in developing countries, activities commonly referred to as REDD+. Launched in 2008, the FCPF has worked with 47 developing countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, along with 17 donors who have made contributions and commitments totaling $1.3 billion.
Source: De diario economico