The socio-economic and environmental impacts of the implementation of carbon sequestration in Humbo Woreda, SSNPR, Ethiopia
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Date
2013-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Carbon sequestration through forestry can help in the mitigation of global warming. For Africa,
carbon sequestration also represents an opportunity to fund sustainable through financial
inflows. However, with a low share of global carbon trade, there are strong concerns that
African countries are losing out this valuable opportunity. Markets for environmental services
have been growing in recent years wherein more and more people are willing to pay for benefits
such as natural beauty, clean water, biodiversity etc. Carbon sequestration constitutes an
important segment of this market. The major driving force for the growth of market for carbon
sequestration has been the international effort to address the problem of global warming
through the signing of the Kyoto Protocol which allows industrialized countries to take up
carbon sequestration activities such as forestry projects in developing countries. The study
focused on the socio-economic and environmental impacts of carbon project implemented in
Humbo district SNNPR, Ethiopia. The analysis subsequently examined the nature and extent of
community participation in the project implementation, the benefits that are envisaged from the
project and other related issues based on the focus of the study. Quantitative and qualitative
methods of research have been applied throughout the investigation. Accordingly, observation,
in depth interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires were used to gather information.
The qualitative mode was employed to gather socially dynamic information on issues relating to
beneficiaries’ perceptions of the activities in order to gain a deeper understanding of the
dynamics at play. On the other hand, the quantitative mode was used to test variables related to
the research problem. The study results show that carbon project makes a significant
contribution to carbon sequestration and therefore can generate carbon credits by selling it in
the market through CDM project. The observed status of carbon project tree species and the
results from socio economic results are promising to enhance local livelihoods. It also enhances
access to wide varieties of environmental goods and services to local communities. Since the
local communities have had poorly developed infrastructure, limited options for livelihoods and
dependence on subsistence agriculture, the Carbon Project may prove to be beneficial to the
local community by providing regular source of income in the form of carbon payments
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Keywords
socio-economic ,environmental impacts