Grassroots Vol 21 No 4 | Page 18

CAFI ’ s recognition of the country ’ s efforts is encouraging as they are the global reference for these kinds of payments .

NEWS

task but it hasn ’ t stopped the country from introducing ambitious targets .
Funding further forest protection
Gabon ’ s Minister of Water and Forests , the Seas and the Environment , Professor Lee White , says the first instalment will help finance further projects to preserve Gabon ’ s forests .
“ It also paves the way for Gabon to finalise the systems that will be required to enable the country to formally sell carbon credits in the future .”

CAFI ’ s recognition of the country ’ s efforts is encouraging as they are the global reference for these kinds of payments .

The money will go towards investments in a whole host of projects to reduce carbon emissions including community forestry , scientific research and systems that support protected areas . White says that CAFI ’ s recognition of the country ’ s efforts is encouraging as they are the global reference for these kinds of payments . “ We are working with partners to develop payment mechanisms that will enable us to stabilise forests and reverse deforestation and forest degradation in HFLD ( high forest / low deforestation ) countries , rather than simply slowing deforestation .”
Figure 2 . The country is home to 60 per cent of the world ' s forest elephants . ( Photo by Ruth Starkey )
17 Grassroots Vol 21 No 4 December 2021