Raising efficiency in Kenya’s forestry sector could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 27 per cent over 2010 levels, help the East African country meet its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, and boost economic benefits to $188 million per year, according to a new joint report by the United Nations and Kenyan government, unveiled as the world marked the International Day of Forests.
The report, entitled The Improving Efficiency in Forestry Operations and Forest Product Processing in Kenya: A Viable REDD+ Policy and Measure? finds that investing in efficiency measures in forest product processing and operations could contribute to reducing deforestation and forest degradation while delivering a reduction of 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) per year. Kenya’s 2010 emissions were 73 tCO2e, most of which came from land-use, agriculture and forestry.
The report identified three opportunities that are expected to bring major socio-economic benefits while achieving results in REDD+, an expanded approach that includes the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. The opportunities include boosting efficiency in charcoal production, fuelwood consumption at household level, and fuelwood consumption at industrial level.
It notes that the viability of these measures makes a strong case for their inclusion in Kenya’s National REDD+ Strategy. Given the economic gains, Kenya could assess what financial and regulatory incentives are needed to bolster both public and private investments in the forestry sector.
Investments proposed would cost close to $39 million per year, less than 25 per cent of the potential returns, according to the report, which was
prepared by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Collaborative Partnership on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD) in developing countries, Kenya’s Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Regional Authorities, and the Kenya Forest Service, would cost close to $39 million per year, less than 25 per cent of the potential returns.
Related Links:
Paris Agreement – http://newsroom.unfccc.int/unfccc-newsroom/finale-cop21/
The report – http://www.unep.org/publications/
UN-REDD – http://www.un-redd.org/AboutUN-REDDProgramme/tabid/102613/Default.aspx
