As we observe this year’s International Day of Forests with the theme "Forests and Economies," the forest restoration program at Kibale National Park is making a significant impact by transforming lives and boosting Uganda’s economy through its carbon absorption efforts.

Kibale National Park, known as the “Primate Capital of the World,” spans about 71.5 square kilometers of restored forest. This forest not only helps combat global warming but also plays a crucial role in improving the livelihoods of people living near the park.

Planted in the last 30 years, the forest now absorbs 1.5 million tons of carbon, benefiting local communities involved in its restoration. Senior Warden Forest Restoration, Richard Kigenyi, expresses confidence that the ongoing carbon data collection will yield positive results, noting an average increase of over 200,000 tons every three years.

John Justine Tibesigwa, the Chief Warden of Kibale Conservation Area, states: "The forest restoration project in Kibale is one of the best in Africa, delivering enormous benefits to the neighboring communities and ultimately enhancing the conservation of the park.”

Supported by the forest restoration project led by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and partners such as Face-the-Future, Prima Klima, and local communities, the carbon absorption initiative generates revenue from carbon credit sales that positively impacts lives.

This income supports community projects like beekeeping, pig farming, and goat rearing, enabling residents to develop sustainable livelihoods without harming the forest. More than 200 community members are employed seasonally in activities such as tree planting, seed collection, nursery management, and caring for native seedlings, while over 140 have permanent jobs.

The project has also provided 5,000-liter water tanks to improve access to clean water for households, reducing the need for risky trips into the park to collect water from natural sources. Additionally, a five-kilometer trench was built to prevent elephants from damaging crops on nearby farms, helping to reduce conflicts between the community and the park.

Understanding Carbon Markets and Credits:

A carbon market is a non-physical marketplace where carbon credits are bought and sold. These markets come in two types: compliance markets, which are government-mandated trading systems, and voluntary carbon markets (VCMs), where companies and individuals can purchase carbon credits to offset their emissions voluntarily.

Carbon credits are tradable permits or certificates that represent the right to emit one metric ton of carbon dioxide (CO₂) or an equivalent amount of other greenhouse gases (GHGs). They are essential tools for reducing emissions and can be generated through projects that avoid emissions, such as renewable energy and forest conservation, or through removal projects like reforestation and carbon capture and storage.