Farmer led tree planting in Uganda

Why this project?

The Trees for Global Benefits (TGB) project is a longstanding cooperative carbon offsetting initiative, addressing the threat of deforestation in Uganda, driven by population growth and improved living standards. It employs carbon sequestration and ecosystem restoration through small-scale, farmer-led forestry and agroforestry practices, reducing pressure on natural resources in protected areas.

The project has demonstrated great performance over the years, including the support of more smallholder farmers with sustainable land-use practices, the expansion of new project communities, and the introduction of new tree-planting activities. The long-term payments for carbon uptake and agroforestry practices enhanced local communities their income stability as well as food and fuel security significantly.

Scaling environmental impact

Operating across 5 districts, the project targets communities neighboring protected areas and areas of high ecological importance, such as national parks and forest reserves. Despite being protected, these areas face widespread and rapid degradation because of extensive encroachment of agricultural land. Communities are encouraged to protect and restore the forests through cost-effective methods like improved land management, tree planting, forest management, and assisted natural regeneration (ANR).

The project strategically selects planting sites in highly degraded areas with significant carbon sequestration potential. This includes the planting of indigenous species that reduce the pressure on existing forests. In terms of CO₂ sequestration, the project has already mobilized emissions reduction units exceeding one million tons and achieved a total emission reduction of 3,890,163 tonnes throughout its duration.

Supporting community groups

Project participants plant threatened indigenous and agroforestry species, contributing to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. This approach has various environmental benefits, offering food, medicines, and industrial resources while enhancing people's connection to nature. It also positively affects catchments by better regulating water flow and preventing soil erosion. So far this has impacted seven catchments, which promotes water purification, moisture retention, and reducing flood and landslide risks.

The project covers nine carefully chosen protected areas, based on their ecosystem services value and potential to involve communities in co-management. Forest communities are incentivized to plant trees on private lands to improve the connectivity between protected areas and are trained in small-scale fuelwood and timber production to ensure that existing ecosystems are being preserved. Currently, 79% of indigenous tree species are successfully planted.

TGB also promotes the social and financial inclusion of marginalized groups. Deforestation affects the resilience of social and natural systems, leaving communities at risk for food, fuel, and economic insecurity. The project has designed a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) model that promotes long-term sustainable land use and farmer business plans. The model provides incentives to make agroforestry-based land use financially viable and strategically targets communities in ecologically vital areas engaged in smallholder or commercial farming. Farmers receive training and attend workshops at farmer field schools to identify suitable forestry activities, including mixed woodlots and fruit orchards, enhancing both the environment and livelihoods.

To date, over USD 4.1 million has been paid to participants, engaging 26,468 smallholder families in agroforestry practices. This financial support not only diversifies their income but also helps them to adapt to the effects of climate change.