A blueprint for low-carbon development
An estimated 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from deforestation or forest degradation. Liberia and Myanmar hold some of the largest remaining tracts of tropical forest in their respective regions. These carbon sinks play a crucial role in helping to tackle climate change. Both these countries are undergoing rapid development, but it is vital this is not achieved at the expense of biodiversity, ecosystem services and local livelihoods. Agricultural expansion, in particular, is driving widespread forest loss.
Liberia and Myanmar have committed to tackling deforestation, in an effort to meet internationally agreed targets for reducing the impact of climate change. Fauna & Flora aims to demonstrate that the conservation of these forests – and the biodiversity and ecosystem services they support – is compatible with poverty reduction, respect for indigenous rights, and improving the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.
With support from Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative, administered by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), Fauna & Flora is working to develop a proven model that will act as a blueprint for improved forest management, ensure greater accessibility to appropriate incentives for avoided deforestation, and inform future forest conservation policy in Liberia and Myanmar.
In Liberia, work focuses on developing a REDD+ policy framework in conjunction with community conservation enterprises in Wonegizi Proposed Protected Area.
In Myanmar, efforts are focused on securing recognition of community rights over forest land (and the economic benefits derived from managing this sustainably) in the northern- and southernmost states.
