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ENCOFOR ("ENvironment and COmmunity based framework for designing
afFORestation, reforestation and revegetation projects in the
CDM: methodology development and case studies") aims at maximizing
synergies between the sequestration of carbon and the creation
of benefits for the local environment and local stakeholders.
Target groups are governments, local communities and NGOs in developing
countries, as well as project planners, managers, investors and
certifiers. The project has incorporated decisions by the UNFCCC
concerning afforestation and reforestation in the CDM, and existing
experience in project development, funding and execution of afforestation
and reforestation projects.
The Marrakech Accords (2001) specified that afforestation and
reforestation are accepted activities within the CDM framework.
The rules for CDM afforestation/reforestation (CDM A/R) projects
(COP9 in Milan, 2003) basically say that ecological and socio-economic
sustainability must be a key feature of any A/R CDM project activity
and that negative impacts on biodiversity and socio-economics
should be identified, avoided and remediated throughout the project,
from design to monitoring and verification.
The philosophy of Encofor is to turn the conditions set by the
UNFCCC into an opportunity: designing sustainable projects is
an opportunity in terms of environmental restoration and socio-economic
development of local communities in non-Annex I countries. The
sustainability condition is not a burden but an extra guarantee
that projects are supported by local communities to provide long-term
environmental and socio-economic benefits. As a consequence, sustainable
projects are more likely to sequester carbon on a permanent basis.
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