DR Congo: Ibi Bateke Carbon Sink Plantation
(Biocarbon Fund Tranche 2)
The Ibi Batéké Carbon Sink Plantation (IBCSP) project in the Democratic Republic of Congo is an afforestation and clean energy project. It will convert a natural grassy savanna, disturbed by man-initiated fires, into an abundant and sustainable fuelwood supply for charcoal production. Carbon sequestration from the atmosphere is combined with a reduction in GHG emissions, resulting from the disappearance of savanna fires and the energy switch to non-fossil fuel. To complete these objectives, the IBCSP will establish 4120 hectares of fast growing forest plantations (Eucalyptus urophylla, various species of Acacia and local species), on grass savannas with few scattered shrubs. The Ibi Batéké Carbon Sink Plantation (IBCSP) will be implemented on the Batéké plateau in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This plateau is composed of 90% herbaceous or shrubby savanna, burnt many times per year, and of 10 % of forest gallery deforested by local populations for their subsistence farming (maize, cassava) and to produce charcoal.
Total sequestration from the project is estimated at 2.4 Mt CO2over 30 years. By 2017, over 1 Mt CO2is expected to be sequestered; and by 2012, around 0.5 Mt CO2. In the absence of the project, the area Baseline situation. The most likely scenario without the project (baseline) is the continuation of the present fire and biomass re-growth cycle of the edaphic grassy or shrubby savannas (natural but highly-damaged by man’s interaction).
The project offers a number of environmental and social benefits. On the social side, the creation of local employment (55 to 60 permanent jobs, and from 40 up to 400 temporary jobs over 4 to 6 months a year, equivalent to 210 to 225 full time positions), and approximately 30 charcoal makers. On the environmental side, the project, by generating income for local communities and producing charcoal from the plantation will reduce the deforestation of the remaining forest galleries, generally used to make charcoal. It will also avoid bush fires and all the generated negative impacts. In the long term, plantations managed in a sustainable way will also provide shelter to wildlife.
The project is developed by NOVACEL, whose founders are natives of the Bateke region and have been present on the plateau for several generations. The IBCSP project is part of an integrated rural development pilot program carried out by NOVACEL since 1985. Through a strategy of integrated development, the project promoter NOVACEL wishes to integrate agricultural, livestock and forest productions with the agro-industrial production of commodities such as cassava flour, corn flour or charcoal and build a strong involvement of the local communities. UMICORE, SUEZ and the AFD (French Development Agency) are financing part of the investment needs for the project. UNEP’s CASCADe program is providing technical assistance.
Once the first bloc of 4000 ha is completed, the IBCSP plans to extend to a 8,000 ha forest able to guarantee almost 4 millions tCO2 stable stock.
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