The DFCD supports in carbon certification in Uganda
The investment committee for the origination facility of the Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD) has approved a EUR 279,001 grant and WWF technical assistance package for The New Forests Company (NFC) on August 20, 2020.
The grant and technical assistance (TA) will allow NFC to develop the final business investment proposal for carbon certification in Uganda, for sustainable smallholder growth and timber market diversification. The investment proposal will contribute significantly to support landscape carbon preparation and certification. The aim is generating carbon finance to support planting and new land acquisition, timber processing diversification, conservation activities, and smallholder afforestation and livelihoods.
The grant and TA will be used for:
The New Forests Company (NFC) is a successful forestry and timber processing company operating in East Africa since 2006, with a presence in Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. In Uganda the company has three plantations - managing almost 20,000 ha of land for commercial forestry. 40% of that is preserved for conservation to protect crucial waterways and promote landscape restoration and biodiversity.
The project is expected to create a positive impact for people, nature and climate:
This project also facilitates progress towards fulfilling the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
#1 No Poverty
#2 Zero hunger
#8 Decent work and economic growth
#9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure
#10 Reduced inequalities
#13 Climate action
#15 Life on Land
#17 Partnership for the goals
The proposed project fits very well with the Indicative Nationally Declared Commitments (INDC) Contribution of Uganda as made, for the Paris Agreement.
This project will be directly targeting the Uganda Forestry Adaptation and Mitigation Commitments (1.1, 1.3, 2.1 and 2.2) and is very aligned with Uganda’s INDC, and NFC’s current and future operations will continue to strengthen and build on this.
Natural climate solutions, such as afforestation and restoration of biodiversity, including carbon sequestration projects aimed at mitigating climate change, contribute to reversing deforestation and to the Uganda national commitments to the Bonn Challenge.
Expanding timber processing plants, through diversification and growing the Uganda timber market for both domestic consumption and exports, supports the government’s economic development agenda.
From impact on the fast-changing climate to free-flowing rivers, expansive life-giving oceans to vast food supplying landscapes, WWF Uganda Country Office catalyses strategic initiatives. They work where the greatest need is to restore balance, reduce impact and protect the country’s vital resources and natural biodiversity.
By ensuring healthy functioning natural systems, and the species and communities that are an integral part of them, WWF Uganda helps restore and reinforce our planet’s natural defences.
Contact: For more information, please contact Keiron Brand, African Regional Lead for the DFCD, on kbrand@wwf.nl
The DFCD enables private sector investment in projects aimed at climate adaptation and mitigation in developing countries. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made available € 160 million to increase the resilience of communities and ecosystems most vulnerable to climate change. The DFCD is managed by a pioneering consortium of Climate Fund Managers (CFM), Worldwide Fund for Nature Netherlands (WWF-NL) and SNV, led by the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank, FMO.
