The Minister of state for Environment , Hon Beatrice Atim Anywar has launched the “ GCF REDD+ Result Based Payments for period 2016-2017” project , during the launch she has said that the project demonstrates the global discussions of how forests contribute to reducing emissions, and how countries that have clearly undertaken these efforts can be rewarded to ensure continued conservation and preservation of our forests.
She has said that despite Uganda being the pearl of Africa , there is an ever increasing threat to its natural resource base especially forests but government is committed to promote investment by private sector in forestry and forestry products over a 5-year period from 2026-2031 aimed at maintaining and increasing the country’s natural resource base particularly forests and trees.
In conclusion, she has stated that Uganda is inspired to revert the forest cover back to 24% of the land cover by 2040 as stipulated in the NRM vision 2040 planning framework and some international and regional commitments which include among
⦁ Restoration of 2.5 Million ha of degraded landscapes by 2030 under the Bonn challenge/ AFRI-100.
⦁ Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere under UNFCCC through our updated Nationally Determined Contribution.
⦁ Reduction of Biodiversity loss by 2030 and stop biodiversity loss by 2050
Dr Alfred Okot Okidi the Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Water and Environment has appreciated the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for the Financial Assistance for implementing the Uganda REDD+RBP Project especially Food and agricultural organization (FAO) for the effort put to ensure such a milestone is reached .
He has said that the project represents an important important investment in Uganda’s forestry sector and demonstrates international confidence in Uganda’s commitment to climate action and sustainable forest management.
The Uganda REDD+ RBP project gives assurance to our people by restoring degraded forest landscapes, strengthening climate-smart agricultural practices and addressing key deforestation and forest degradation drivers. The project will also contribute to improving forest governance and enhancing the systems required to monitor, report and verify changes in forest cover and carbon emissions.
Mr Ezana Kassar FAO Uganda country representative during the REDD+RBP Project launch , he stated that Between 2016 and 2017, Uganda is estimated to have achieved verified emission reductions of
approximately 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by reducing
deforestation and forest degradation therefore the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Because of this achievement, the Green Climate Fund approved USD 31 million in
REDD+ Results-Based Payments for Uganda which is a very big achievement
FAO has had the opportunity to support the technical and institutional foundations of
Uganda’s REDD+ journey forest monitoring reporting Measurement, Reporting and
Verification safeguards and the broader capacities needed to turn climate ambition
into measurable results.
In conclusion , he has said that the REDD+ proceeds will support practical investments , sustainable land
management and Agroforestry sustainable fuel wood and charcoal pole and timber
plantations and natural forest restoration.
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