REDD Development in Cambodia— Potential Carbon Emission Reductions in a REDD Project

Abstract

Abstract:Foreseeing the importance of managing forests for climate change mitigation and sustainable development, the Royal Government of Cambodia has put strong commitment to managing its remaining forests under the new anticipated international climate change agreement on REDD+ mechanism. Forestry Administration in collaboration with Community Forestry International, and Terra Global Capital started a REDD project for Community Forestry sites in the northern province of Oddar Meanchey in 2007. Here, we report the methods and findings from our project and propose an appropriate framework for effective implementation in Cambodia. Ten drivers and six agents of deforestation and forest degradation were identified and each driver could be reduced by adopting appropriate project actions. Changes in deforestation, carbon stocks, and project emissions were estimated under baseline and project scenarios. Our results suggest that the project is likely to lead to the reduction of about 8.6 million tonne CO2 over 30-year project. Although policies and methods are available for implementing the project, sustained commitment and law enforcement play an increasingly important role in achieving real emission reduction and sustainable development.

Estimation of Carbon Emission Reductions by Managing Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest: Case Study in Popa Mountain Park

“…There are various methods to predict forest cover change once project is implemented. For simplicity, we followed methods developed by Ty et al [9] to predict the change of forest covers in the PMP,…”

“…Accordingly, we would conclude that the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in PMP were conversion of agriculture land, conversion to settlement, annual fire, illegal logging, fuelwood collection, extraction of wood for household consumption and use as farm material. Similarly, Ty et al [9] identified drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in a northern province of Cambodia as conversion to cropland, conversion to settlements and migrant encroachment, forest fire due to land clearing, hunter inducing forest fire, illegal logging for commercial sale and timber harvesting for local use. Therefore, the project activities proposed by Ty et al [9] could also be introduced to PMP.…”

“…Similarly, Ty et al [9] identified drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in a northern province of Cambodia as conversion to cropland, conversion to settlements and migrant encroachment, forest fire due to land clearing, hunter inducing forest fire, illegal logging for commercial sale and timber harvesting for local use. Therefore, the project activities proposed by Ty et al [9] could also be introduced to PMP. These project activities include strengthening land-tenure, land-use plans, forest protection, assisted natural regeneration and establish fuelwood plantation, introduction of fuel-efficient stoves, introduction of mosquito nets, agricultural intensification, water resource development projects or maintenance of watershed area, non-wood forest product (NTFP) development and fire prevention.…”

“…These project activities include strengthening land-tenure, land-use plans, forest protection, assisted natural regeneration and establish fuelwood plantation, introduction of fuel-efficient stoves, introduction of mosquito nets, agricultural intensification, water resource development projects or maintenance of watershed area, non-wood forest product (NTFP) development and fire prevention. For simplicity, RPI estimated by Ty et al [9] was also used in our study. It is suggested that this RPI should be revised when more data become available. )…”

“…Estimating emission reduction potentials require the understanding of the Reference Emission Level (REL; emission in the absence of project activities or baseline emissions) and the Project Emission Level (PEL; emissions from project implementation) [9]. Likewise, identification of the drivers and management interventions for reducing deforestation and forest degradation and establishment of REL are the fundamental activities for developing REDD+ projects in developing countries [10].…”