EU and Malaysian state of Sabah collaborate to launch 16M Malaysian ringgit REDD+ strategy to develop sustainable low-carbon forest practices in Sabah over four years; program aims to reduce GHGs, while conserving forest and dependent people's livelihoods
Aimee Bellah
YOKOHAMA, Japan
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December 16, 2013
(International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO))
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The European Union (EU) and Sabah Forestry Department have launched a RM16 million (US$4.9 million) programme of work on tackling climate change through sustainable forest management and community development. The four year programme is aimed at contributing to sustainable and low carbon development in the state of Sabah.
Both parties will cooperate on a REDD+ strategy to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, promote the sustainable management of forests as well as the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
The programme has been designed to support Sabah‘s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from forest degradation and deforestation. In this sense, the director of Forestry Department, Sam Mannan, said: ―It (the joint Sabah:EU programme) will help us to effectively engage local communities in forest management and rehabilitation both on government and community lands. I believe that this will generate valuable experiences and enhance our capacity to further develop and implement the planned Sabah REDD+ strategy.
The Borneo Post newspaper reported Mannan as adding ―the programme would benefit the poorest people in Sabah – those who are dependent on the forest for their livelihood. Through this programme, they will appreciate the environment better, not that they don‘t already, but we want to prove that by conserving the forest and by sustainable management on the ground, this would also improve their livelihood. There is no point having conservation and what not at the expense of the people‘s livelihood and people‘s standard of living. This must be addressed. This is part of the objectives and goals.
Source: Tropical Timber Market Report, International Tropical Timber Organization.
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