Walia Special Edition on the Bale Mountains (2011) - Zoologische ...

Technical Feasibility Analysis
Additionality
To generate emissions reductions, carbon projects must meet the requirement of additionality; carbon
savings must be shown to result from project activities specifically and would not have happened
in its absence. A land cover study has shown that between 1973-2000 the rate of deforestation
in the Harenna forest was 160 ha per year, this deforestation rate increased to 1505 ha per year
between 2000-2005 (Teshome and Kinahan 2008). Our reference scenario clearly shows that rates
of deforestation are high and are increasing at an alarming rate. Should current rates and trends
of deforestation continue it is likely that the forest within the park boundaries will be destroyed
in about 70 years. In addition a historic funding analysis of the park (Kinahan 2010) shows that
over the past five years funding for effective BMNP management has been significantly lower then
the funds required with little increase in the funds available over the years. Thus, this project can
demonstrate that in the absence of a REDD initiative, although conserving the forest and the Park,
as well as protecting resources for community livelihoods, would remain a key priority, the rate of
deforestation is likely to continue to increase due to increases in drivers of deforestation and lack of
funds to conserve the forest.
Although other income-generating initiatives are also included in the parks Business and
Financial Management Plan, such as developing eco-tourism and community revenue schemes,
the income generated would be significantly lower than that obtained through carbon financing
(Kinahan 2010). However, it should be noted that carbon financing would not prevent the concurrent
implementation of these schemes if capacity and resources became available.
Leakage
Leakage effects are the result of shifting the threat of deforestation to another geographical area
(Sohngen and Brown, 2004). Thus, leakage may result in fewer, or no, actual emission reductions
being generated by the project activities. In order to avoid leakage in REDD projects it is necessary
to acknowledge and address the original drivers of deforestation (see Chomitz et al. 2007; Tomich et
al. 2005). Our study has identified anthropogenic factors as the key drivers of deforestation, thus we
aim to tackle the underlying causes through integration, participation and sustainable development
rather then total prevention without regard for livelihoods, thereby reducing potential leakage.
We aim to reduce current rates deforestation by merging the BMNP REDD project with
Oromia Forest and Wildlife’s (OFWE) REDD project in forest areas in Bale outside the National
Park to create a large, approximately 700,000 ha, project area. In doing so, the project will
implement a wide range of strategies over the large area, in line with regional and federal policies,
to ensure leakage is minimized and the carbon stores are protected. Mitigation strategies will include
total resource protection and conservation in areas such as the park, livelihood enhancement,
participatory forest management, alternative fuel sources, sustainable natural resource management,
possible reforestation and promoting land certification and registration, for communities outside the
protected area.
<strong>Walia</strong>-<strong>Special</strong> <strong>Edition</strong> on the Bale Mountains 298