COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA COMMUNITIES &CARBON ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY-REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
2009
AMANDA BRADLEY PACT 1 Acknowledgements First and foremost, I wish to thank His Excellency Ty Sokhun, the Head of the Forestry Administration, for his strong support and visionary collaboration in working with CFI, Pact and other stakeholders to get this ! For very valuable assistance in reviewing this study, I would like to thank the following individuals: Robin Biddulph, Jörgen Pettersson, Long Ratanakoma, Mark Poffenberger, Leslie Durschinger, Andrew Wardell, Long Sona, Melissa Marschke, Jacob Kahl Jepsen, Hour Lim Chhun, Ty Sokhun, Kurt MacLeod, Leo Hosh and " # $
Amanda Bradley Community Forestry Partner Program Director Pact Cambodia
PACT COMMUNITY FOCALI CLINTON CLIMATE INITIATIVE A Washington, DC-based NGO FORESTRY Focali (Forest, Climate, and Livelihood The William J. Clinton Foundation mandated to assist local communities INTERNATIONAL research network) is a Swedish research launched the Clinton Climate Initiative to empower themselves through the A California-based NGO dedicated to network focusing on forest bio-energy, (CCI) to create and advance solutions to introduction of effective government and protecting the world’s forests and the climate change and poverty issues. the core issues driving climate change. responsible public and private institutions. rights of the people who live near and Several Swedish universities and institutions Working with governments and businesses Using both grass-roots and high-level depend upon them for their livelihoods. are represented and the purpose is around the world, CCI focuses on three efforts to achieve its goals, Pact maintains With a motto of “Forest rights are to ensure that Sida and other Swedish strategic program areas: increasing an active presence in countries on human rights”, CFI can be credited with authorities have access to relevant energy efficiency in cities, catalyzing the five continents. conceiving of the idea of using the REDD knowledge for the effective use of forest large-scale supply of clean energy, and mechanism to safeguard the forests operations to achieve climate-poverty working to stop deforesation. Pact had been active in Cambodia since the of Oddar Meanchey. targets. Focali also aims to increase the early 1990s, focusing principally on flow of relevant information between Under its Forestry program, CCI works governance and civil society programs. With With an institutional focus on identifying the scientific community, industry, govern- directly with national governments, extensive natural resource management new innovative initiatives for forestry ment and civil society. Focali is funded by taking a made-to-measure approach to work in other regions, Pact was selected protection, CFI turned the responsibility Sida and the coordinating secretariat is respond to specific needs and goals. by CFI to take over its broader Community for REDD implementation over to placed at the University of Gothenburg. It has supported the validation process Forestry Program, under which the Oddar Pact in early 2009. and delivery of the Oddar Meanchey Meanchey REDD project falls. Focali has provided the funding for REDD project. the writing of this study.
DANIDA CHILDREN’S MONKS COMMUNITY TERRA GLOBAL CAPITAL THE ROYAL DANISH EMBASSY, DEVELOPMENT FORESTRY ASSOCIATION A San Francisco-based company focus- PHNOM PENH ASSOCIATION (MCF) ing on the market for land-use carbon The Royal Danish Embassy in Phnom (CDA) MCF has been formed by the Venerable and other environmental credits. With Penh has administered a sizeable pool CDA is a local NGO based in Oddar Bun Saluth, a visionary monk in Samraong institutional expertise in the measurement of funds to support the natural resources Meanchey province. CDA has been pagoda (Oddar Meanchey), to support and monetization of carbon credits and sector in Cambodia, funds which include implementing community forestry projects the forest protection activities at Sorng carbon finance, TGC agreed to partner with contributions from Danida, DFID and in Oddar Meanchey province since 2002 Rokavorn CF, the largest of the 13 sites in the Government of Cambodia’s Forestry NZAID. The Oddar Meanchey REDD and currently plays an important role the project. MCF coordinates closely with Administration to measure the amount project received a critical start-up grant as a project partner. CDA implements a local villages to effectively protect the of carbon stored by Oddar Meanchey’s from this pool of funds in early 2008. range of village-level field activities forest area. community forests and sell the resultant In addition, colleagues at the Embassy and also provides valuable information credits on the global voluntary market. have provided valuable technical from the field to help address the support to the program. drivers of deforestation. 2 STATEMENT BY H.E. TY SOKHUN, HEAD OF THE FORESTRY ADMINISTRATION
The REDD mechanism presents an important opportunity to shift the global trend away from forest $ $ $ % $ & $ $ $$ ' $ $ N )*+ N $ & $
- . $ S $ $ 0 & $ ! $ ' $$ can be highly effective in protecting forest resources, preventing encroachment, using forest products 1 !
Under our 2006 Community Forestry Guidelines, communities across the country are obtaining legal ! 4 $$ 5 $ 7 $ 4 4 mechanism, which promises to greatly enhance our efforts to both protect our valuable forests and S
I would like to conclude by taking advantage of this opportunity to thank all the supporters and stakehold- $$ 9
FORESTRY ADMINISTRATION The arm of the Royal Government of Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the FA is responsible for managing forest resources in the Kingdom of Cambodia. Through Government Decision No. 699 the FA has been appointed as the agent selling forest carbon through consultation with the Technical Working Group on Forestry and Environment. The FA has initiated the Oddar Meanchey REDD project and plays the leading role as Implementing Agency in the development and management of the project in collaboration with and support from development partners. Officials from the central level as well as from the relevant Inspectorate, Cantonment, Division and Triage levels have all been actively involved. COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
INTRODUCTION
In December 2007, the Forestry Administration (FA) of the Royal Government of Cambodia introduced - . >-.9 ? ! & $ S ! the communities of Oddar Meanchey to safeguard their forests and, in the process, generate funds from P Q $ #
REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) is a relatively new climate control $ $ $ VXXZS & " [ \ $ # & & $ & >& " ]^ N [\ &&&? _
[ $ $! $ $ $ $ by their business activities by providing payments to developing nations who sustainably manage their forests 1 [\ &&&! # & " ])! $ VXX* & $ #
OM-REDD is being submitted for validation to the Climate Community Biodiversity (CCB) Alliance and ` & >`& ? VXX* 7 ! ! - $ # VX]X
Location - . & $ S 0 VVj #$ ! & $ $ ! _ . " ` S q!])z { # $ | $ ! _ 7$ ! & } ! 7 ` "
7$ 9]*Z* } $ >} ? ! - . $ 7 VZ! ]***! } . # In part because of long-standing security concerns, there have been fewer development agencies working
4 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
Even with the effective termination of the KR regime, security and economic activity in the province remain hampered by the continuing $ 7 VXX^ almost 10% of all mine casualties in Cambodia occurred in Oddar Meanchey, the third-highest level 7 [\0& z) $ [- > 4 ? $ $ { $ $ $ $ [- ]*z*9VXXX
Ironically, land mines have made the forests relatively less accessible and therefore perhaps contributed to ! $ ! $ $ ! $ # $ $ $ $
Although recent dramatic increases in migration, land speculation and large-scale agricultural $ - . ! $ S 7 VXXj9X) $ $ ! & $ S Vj $ ! VZ+ )]+ $ ! - P Q
- . 7 VXXV! Z)+ ! $ 9 >$ 4 ? ! $ $ and agricultural and settlement land has resulted in a decline in forest cover at an average annual rate of V ]+ > X )+? - .
Table 1. Forest Cover Change in Oddar Meanchey
Forest Type & Forest Cover Forest Cover % Change % Annual Loss Condition in 2002 (ha) in 2006 (ha) Evergreen Forest 166,935 ]j*!]]* -11% 9V z+ Semi-Evergreen Forest 71, 319 ))!]^z -23% 9) z+ Deciduous Forest V)]!ZVz VjX!zVj 9j+ 9] X+ Open Forest )!Zj^ 12,050 110% VZ X+ Total Forest j*)!ZV) j)Z!]^] 9z+ 9V ]+ Barren land ]qZ!jjX VXq!X^j 23% ) z+ Total Land Area 663,165 663,165 0% X X+
Source: Forestry Administration and GRAS A/S at the University of Copenhagen
5 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
New houses are being constructed by migrants throughout the province.
Community approaches come into favor - . 4 ! } $ $ 0 $ $! $$ 9 $ $ The communities have long advocated for a collective, local approach to protecting the forest, in large part because it provides them more secure tenure for the forest resources they depend upon for ! Having pledged in 2000 that it would work towards retaining 60% forest cover in the country, the Government ultimately determined that a community forestry approach would be consistent with its ! ' $ $ $ $ This determination led to the Community Forestry Sub-Decree (2003) and Community Forestry Guidelines >VXXq? VXXV $ # $$ forestry, enabling local communities to secure rights to manage forest areas under 15-year renewable CF $ While CF establishment moved ahead swiftly in Oddar Meanchey, a country-level analysis of forest cover VXXV9VXXq 5 0 5\70 ! & $ ! bundle together a number of larger CF sites, was among the reasons for the selection of Oddar Meanchey 7 $ for the Cambodian government to strengthen its ties to and support of a province and population that has only recently been integrated and where sympathies for the KR guerilla movement are thought to $ $ & $ $ New era brings new pressures on forest - . S $ 9 } $ 9] & $ $ S $ ]**z9VXXz ! $ *+ $ . 0 ! S 4 )XX!XXX VX]z! $ ]Vj!)XX VX $ $ $ [ $ $ 6 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
Table 2. Population growth in Oddar Meanchey Province: 1998 - 2008
Population 1998 2008 Annual % Increase
Rural )q!]*z 166,609 * V^ Total qz!VZ* ]z)!jj^ z qV
Source: General Population Census of 2008
$ $ $ ' $ - . $ ! . $ ]*** VXX]! $ $ ! ] $$ $ $$ 7 $ ! $ { # ! { There are some indications that the present practice of encouraging migration to the province is a deliberate development effort, though $ motivated by a desire to supply labor to new plantations or to increase Although economic downturns could temporarily slow the rate of emi- ! $ $ $ The locally prevalent means of livelihood development also have large $ & 9 dominant means of income generation is rice farming, with rain-fed- > ? 9 9 > $# ? $ $ N $ N 4 $ ! $ $ $ ! $# { $ S ! $ ! $ - 0 $ $ $ $ ! # > # ! ! ? In regards to the latter, the market for many forest products is relatively easy to access and for some products (particularly liquid resin and prech leaves1! ] ? $ Resin tapping is practiced year-round and is one of the most lucrative of the legal forest activities villagers # . $ $ ! 2 - ! ! $ ! $ $ ! $# ! ! $
1 Meliantha suavis, a dried leaf used in soups, primarily in Thailand. 2 Timber harvesting and charcoal production for sale and without an approved management plan as well as hunting of threatened wildlife species are examples of illegal forest activities. On the other hand, collection of forest products according to “customary use” is legal under the Forestry Law (2002)
7 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA PROJECT HISTORY IMPLEMENTATION AND ITS PRECURSORS
S & $ \ $ VXXZ $ 9% $ 1 # % $ ! & $$ 0 >& 0?! . # " ! suggested that it would be a logical addition to the existing Community Forestry work in Oddar Meanchey, ! $ ! 7 ! $ ! gain groundswell endorsement a month later at the December 2007 UN climate change conference _ ! 4 $$ $ $ # 9} $ 7 } $ $ ! - . ! $ ' & > $ $ ?! $ $ % $ S - . ! P Q & 0 $ $ 1 % $ ! $ $ $ $ $ # $ With no team members possessing the required carbon modeling and carbon marketing experience, [ $ % & $ & ! $ ! % 9# $ $ ' 4
Figure 1. Oddar Meanchey Project Site (CF Areas are shown in red)
Ou Yeay Kaov CF Rolus Thom CF 960 ha Romdoul Veasna CF 6.442 ha Prasat Phong CF 6.016 ha 851 ha Phaav CF Ou Smach Chhouk Meas CF Prey Srors CF 383 ha Samaky CF 2.025 ha 1.605 ha Commune 1.079 ha Preah Pralay 107106 5 Commune 6 Ou Svay Samraong 7 Trapeang Prei District Commune Commune Kouk Khpos Tumnob Dach Commune Trapeang Trav Anlong Veaeng Phaav Commune Ampil Commune Kriel Commune Commune Commune Banteay Ampil Commune Bak Anlung District Anlong Veaeng Commune District Kouk Mon Samraong Commune Trapeang Prasat Lumtong District Bos Sbov Commune Commune Beng Commune Trapeang Prasat Pongro Chong Kal Commune Commune Disrtict Krasang Kulen Promtep Chong Kal Thlat Commune Commune Wildlife Sanctuary Cheung Tien Dung Beng CF Andong Bor CF Commune Ratanak Ruka CF 1.843 ha Sorng Rokavorn CF Prey Srorng CF Sangkrous 6.114 ha 12.872 ha 18.261 ha 6.344 ha Preychheu CF 4.151 ha
8 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
4 9 $ $ $ VXX*! &-" ]) & _ VXXz! $ ! $ 7 $ ! # ! $ |
1 Building a partnership among stakeholders, including CFI, the Forestry Administration, local NGOs and participating CF groups and communities surrounding the project areas; 2 Increasing the capacity of CF groups to manage their forests; 3 Assessing and verifying carbon stocks and additionality;3 4 Preparing a CF Carbon Project Proposal; 5 Negotiating and finalizing a Carbon Contract; and 6 Defining a revenue/net income sharing plan to cover CFI and FA costs and a profit distribution plan for CF groups.
Table 3. Project Sites and Community Beneficiaries
No. Of No. of CF mem- CF Size ID CF Group Name Commune District Villages Households bership% (ha)
1 Andong Bor CF Kouk Khpos Banteay Ampil j Zjq 91 q!]]j 2 Chhouk Meas CF Koun Kriel Samraong 1 166 100 ^z^ 3 Dung Beng CF Kouk Khpos Banteay Ampil j ))z z) ]!zj^ j Ou Yeay Kaov CF Koun Kriel Samraong 1 177 zz 960 5 Phaav CF Phaav Trapeang Prasat j jV* 100 2025 6 Prey Srorng CF Lumtong Anlong Veng 5 662 71 q!^jj 7 Prey Srors CF Kouk Khpuos Banteay Ampil 2 Vjq 97 ]!qXj Samraong , z Ratanak Ruka CF Samraong 16 3,072 76 12,733 Koun Kriel 9 Rolus Thom CF Koun Kriel Samraong j 906 n/a 6,376 Romdoul 10 Bansay Rak Samraong j zZz zz 6,007 Veasna CF 11 Samaky CF Trapeang Tav Anlong Veng j qzq 75 1,079 Sangkrous 12 Anlong Veng Anlong Veng 3 633 zV j!])] Preychheu CF 13 Sorng Rokavorn Koun Kriel Samraong 6 zZZ 100 ]z!]qj Total )z 10,036 zz > ? qZ!Zz^
Source: CCB Project Document
3 7 # $! } " ! ! $ 9 $ 9 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
7 1 # $ # $ . VXXz ! $ $ $ 7 # $ ! 9 - . 0 # the interest of the intended stakeholders, who expressed a mixture of skepticism and hope that the new
Support from the top - S & $ 1 $ $ $ and revenues, designating a body to act as “Seller” of the forest carbon and to manage revenues could have 9 9 $ # ! # " $ . ! $ 7 . # 7S $ $$ ! 7 $ . VXXz % $ >% ? \ q** % q** $ $ - . $ { $ 4 $ ' ] $$ 0 On a practical level, it reassures stakeholders, notably including future carbon credit buyers, that the Cam- $ $ $$ 0 ' $ ! . ! % $$ % $ ! ] $$ ! $ ' $ $$ Government (as represented by the FA) and the selected carbon broker immeasurably simpler, but they Terra Global had been selected to assist with the carbon modeling work and development of the $ $ ` & 7$ $ ! 4 $ $ $ $ $ were still undeveloped and there were very few individuals around the world with the skills to develop the $ - . A critical factor in the seclection of Terra Global as a partner was its willingness to forego up-front $ 4 7 4 ! $ 7 $$ % 7S
10 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
Several billboards were installed in the provincial town to increase awareness of the project.
Several billboards were installed in the provincial town to increase awareness of the project.
Getting buy-in on the ground – fostering a sense of stakeholder investment 7 > ? # $$ $ # ! $$ ! 7
& $S # 4 # ! & 0 \%- & 7 $ )X 9 # # ! $$ # $ $ $ $
As can be imagined, the concept of global warming (and hence the reason why outsiders would pay ? & $ " determined that the best way to make the REDD concept intelligible to local communities was to present P 4 Q! $ $
A subsequent meeting revealed that provincial authorities also were unsure of the climate change ! $ 9 9 ! ! $
Although the frequent meetings, communications, training and awareness-raising workshops repre- sented more effort and investment than were originally budgeted, they and the GD 699 were the key elements S $ - . $ $ VXXz 7 ! % " # 4 $ $
1 $$ $ ! 9 $ S $ ! & $$ $ $ $$ 1 $ ! $ $ $ $$ 7 $
11 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
$ ! ! $ $ & $$ $ . ! $ elected CF Federation could play a fundamental role in representing CF needs to government authorities, $ $
Satisfying Cambodian requirements – CF legal tenure 7 $ { ]^ $$ $ $ { $ & $$ ! $ >VXXV? & $$ 9 >VXX^? [ z9 & $ process endorsed by the FA, communities are required to develop and submit numerous legal documents &
The thirteen communities in Oddar Meanchey had reached various stages in developing these documents, $ { $ 7 S ! $ $ $ # intensively to assemble stakeholders, provide training and coach communities through the processes and { $ & ' 0 $ ! ] ! $ # within a community or, more often, with external groups, such as the military or economic land conces- & 0 & 7 7 $ to clear the way for approvals of CF Agreements and to ensure that participating communities had clearly $ $
7 ! 7 0 - $ $ ] VXXz! $ crack down on forest clearings by military, prevented military base construction in several different CFs 4 $ $ N $ % $ S $$ $ N $
Satisfying external requirements – the Project Document " $ >" ? $ $ $ { $ $ & $ & $$ _ >&&_? ` & >`& ? > $ { ?
' { $ # 0 & $ & $$ _ >&&_? ! $ evaluating social and environmental impacts, while the VCS is more oriented to rigorous carbon stock $
12 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
Terra Global specialists visit the site to make initial measurements and assess the capacity of inventory teams.
$ " &&_ $ $ # 4 # _ " `& ! $ Terra Global was tasked with developing the carbon methodology and the PD for the VCS, which $ $ #
% { $ ' $ $ 0 qX $ & ! $
# $ $ ! - . Assistance from local people (especially former Khmer Rouge soldiers) was critical in helping the in- $ # 7 ! ]qj > $ ? jj $ & `& { $
Keeping trouble out – enforcement strategies From its inception, it was apparent that effective enforcement strategies would need to be applied to the perpetrators of deforestation and degradation if forest resources and carbon stocks were to be truly
\ $$ N 7 N $
To ensure that the vital spirit of stakeholder involvement was maintained, a study was designed for $ $ $ 7 & $ > $ - . ?
Vz # 4 crime, the nature of these crimes, the proposed strategies for addressing the situation and the resources 7 # $ ' |
13 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
Patrol team members from Sorng Rokavorn CF
s %DUCATING #& MEMBERS s )NCREASING FREQUENCY OF PATROLS s #LEARLY DEMARCATING THE #& AREAS s 0ROSECUTING OFFENDERS AND LEVYING lNES AND s )NCREASING SUPPORT FROM THE LOCAL &! AND COMMUNE
Following the study, the FA was supported to develop a better reporting structure to govern how villagers & 7
! $ $ $$ S ` $ > ! ! $ # ? !
The villages conduct these missions at the cost of considerable effort and danger, with some members $ $ $ ! $ $ $ & $
14 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA DRIVERS OF DEFORESTATION AND DEGRADATION
Understanding and effectively addressing the principal agents behind deforestation and degradation is the $ $ $ 7 $ behind stopping deforestation and degradation of the forest is a more nuanced reason: if harm to the ! 1 ! j ! " ! ]] $ P Q 0 $ ! 7 $ $ ! $ $ $ #
j 7
Deforestation Agents
Private Local Deforestation Driver Migrants Hunters Soldiers Other Companies Communities
1. Forest clearing for land sales
2. Conversion to cropland 3. Conversion to settlements 4. Fuel-wood gathering 5. 7 Illegal logging for commer- 6. cial on-sale Timber harvesting for local 7. use Large economic land 8. concessions Small economic land 9. concessions j 10. Timber Concessions
Source: CCB Project Document
National-Level Drivers National-level drivers of deforestation and degradation are in some regards the most challenging to ! $ \%- 9$ # removed from the area of impact, usually occurring in Phnom Penh and typically with little or no public $ $ $ 7! $ $ $ $ % $
4 The significance of small economic land concessions as a driver decreased in late 2008 when the Government withdrew the right of provincial authorities to grant Economic Land Concessions under 1000 hectares. 15 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
- . 9 ! $ { $ $ $
Economic Land Concessions $ $ > & ? & $ 7 $ # $ cover and would be more economically valuable if converted to cropland or plantations, this argument $ $ ! # { - $
Underscoring the nature of the practice is the fact that even though the law limits new ELCs to no more ]X!XXX ! . 7 S # & ]X!XXX 1 $ $ ! & $ $ & $
- . 4 & $ _ VXXZ VXXz! & )j!*Zz V $ $ & ! & 4 $ # # & > 4? $ &
! % $ $ VXXz # # ' $$ $ $ ! #
Figure 2. Statistics and Map showing Economic Land Concessions in Oddar Meanchey
Concession ' > ? Real Green ]]!ZqX XV Angkor Sugar Z!^zZ ^) Cane and Sugar Vely Zz^] )j Tonle *]^^ ]z Sugar Cane Samraong Wood *q)Z Z* Crystal z]** jj Meng Ly Heng ]XXz zq Non-forest Z!V*q!jZ) Total )j!*Zz ]z
16 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
& | # # & N A moral victory for the community
At 12,872 hectares of evergreen and semi- Annual Coupe Timber Concessions evergreen forest, Ratanak Ruka CF is one of the project’s largest. And, tenured by 16 villages, Following the end of industrial logging in Cambodia and a it is also one of the most complex to manage. $ $ ! % $ ' Its most important distinction, however, is it needed to design a new system for extracting timber and, found in the example it provides of a committed community prevailing over powerful entrenched $ $ $! $ $ # 7 ! interests in reclaiming its forest from whole- coupes were established in several provinces, including Oddar scale destruction. . [ $! In 2007, the communities learned that the ]!XXX majority of their forestland had been allocated The highest bidder is given permission to harvest timber in the as economic land concessions (ELCs) to private companies for conversion to jatropha and area for one year, provided it follows sustainable management sugar cane plantations. Undaunted by the fact that the concessionaires It is not clear if this system has been successful, although a included some of Cambodia’s most powerful businessmen, the communities tirelessly lobbied 7 $ the FA and the MAFF for the right to retain their taxes and expensive transportation costs have limited interest stewardship over the land. Their zeal prompted $ $ # the Government to work towards a compromise $ $ # $ solution. While the end result saw 39% of the forest In Oddar Meanchey, there is one annual coupe covering awarded to the ELC, the successful fight against approximately 1,200 hectares of forest in the northeast of the powerful private interests to retain the majority of their forest represents a considerable victory $ # & ! for the communities of Ratanak Ruka. but the community agreed to an FA request to manage the Their efforts provide a model for emulation $$ ! . \ ! $ for other rural communities. $$ & area because the area is thought to be too mine-infested for $$ $$ $ have perceived a strategic interest in improving its relationship 7
Province-Level Drivers Identifying provincial drivers of deforestation and degradation Ratanak Ruka 12872 ha is important to developings appropriate strategies in the con- 4 # - tions to challenging issues in the province using a top-down approach, longer-term prevention of these drivers will require commitment and involvement from key decision-makers closer to the province, including provincial, district and $$ ! $ $$
17 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
Private Investment ) - . Private investment, particularly in land, has posed Price per Price In addition to ELCs, there are also myriad smaller Location Hectare per Hectare Early 2008 mid-2009 investors involved in land speculation who deal 7 $ Provincial/District $75,000 VX!XXX N ] Town (Samraong) to $150,000 30,000 VXXz! - . $6,000 to Meanchey land with aims to develop plantations > $ 9 $3,000 $10,000 - Anlong Veng) survey respondent reported selling a parcel of X ) ] #$ $ $1,500 $300 - $500 land for $20,000 in December 2007 a year after a Roadside to $3,000 neighbor had sold a similar parcel for $1,000, ] V!XXX+ 1 km to 5 km $300 $200 - $300 9 7 $ from roadside to $1,500 *Based on social appraisal survey and interview with project staff however, they are expected to rise again as the $
New Village Establishment
$ N $$ ! ! N ] 4 $ ! $ $ $ $ groups of migrants, sometimes as part of a “social land concession”,j a legal instrument adopted by the % $ $ Land-use planning in Cambodia is rudimentary and most provinces, including Oddar Meanchey, do not ' %0 9$ # $ ` & > 4 on page 20) illustrates some of the local dynamics related to and problems caused by a new settlement &
Local Level Drivers
Logging Communities throughout the province report that all forest land throughout the province was open to $ $ ]**X ` $$ $ $ ]X9^X+ 7 ! $$ & According to the Forestry Law, community members have the authority to apprehend illegal loggers in the & ! 5 { $ # 7
4 Social land concession is a legal instrument adopted by the Royal Government of Cambodia to provide land to the landless. While there are no social land concessions per se in Oddar Meanchey yet, the approval of new villages to settle landless migrants is very similar in impact. 18 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
jz 0 $ ` ! & - cated that they “do not feel comfortable apprehending loggers, because in many cases they are proteced by old- iers, and as such, they would not try to stop the loggers 7 Q5
Opening New Small-Scale Agriculture Forest clearance for new small-scale agricultural plots is driven by migration pressures, as well as natural 4 4 $ 1 7 ] 4 $ 4 $ & ! 4 1 access to family planning services and limited education for girls, which would tend to reduce fertility rates, $$ # 0 & .& $ $ ! $ $ $
Fuelwood Collection $ & $ $ ! $ 4 $ ^ $ $ 0 - . ! village further increases this reliance, as there is less incentive to explore other energy options, such as [ $ # ! of timber and production of charcoal for markets is also quite common, particularly among families with 0 ! $ $ $ $ $ # $ & $$ $ $ ! $ # 9 4 $ { $
Dealing with Drivers of Deforestation and Degradation 4 - . ! $ $ { $$ $ s 2EINFORCING ,AND 4ENURE Securing CF tenure is critical because it ensures long-term management ] s &OREST AND ,AND USE PLANS The development of participatory forest and land-use plans to assist $$ $ An effective plan will place emphasis on sustainable uses and methods for controlling migration and 4 s &OREST PROTECTION This tool has two elements: on the ground patrols by the community, with targeted 7S $ $ 9 $ $
5 McMahon, Dennis. CF Assessment and Migration Study, 2008. 19 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
Case: Romdoul Veasna CF – pressure from within, pressure from without
Romdoul Veasna CF covers 6,007 hectares and is managed by four villages, comprised of 379 s !SSISTED .ATURAL 2EGENERATION !.2 AND ENRICHMENT CF member families. planting- ANR is the technique of pruning, cleaning and Although the site has been well managed by a thinning in order to promote healthier forest growth and motivated Community Forestry Management Committee (CFMC) since its inception as a CF, # " $ the forest came under threat in mid-2007, when ANR are already being put in place, and communities have attempts were made to establish a new village $ 9 in the Southern part of the CF area. $ 4 $ qX!XXX The attempt at undermining the integrigy of the $ 9 forest, orchestrated by a former CFMC deputy and $ a local Commune chief, saw land sold to 70 migrant families who moved into the area and s 2ESPECTING LOCAL CUSTOMS AND BELIEFS Protecting the forest began clearing forest for settlement and $ & $ S _ agriculture purposes. That particular issue was resolved in early 2009, when the FA Inspectorate By assisting local temples to spread the message that foresty Chief and a team of armed forces arrived to protection is an important part of local Buddhist practice, remove the new settlements and present the $ $$ ringleaders to the courts in Siem Reap. s &UEL EFlCIENT STOVES $ 9 However, there is evidence that additional new villages are planned for establishment around VX9^X+ 7 4 $ )XX the borders of the CF, a development that will will be provided or sold at reduced cost annually to households increase pressure on the forest area. With land values in the area steadily increasing, villagers report the clearing of 1,500 hectares and fear s -OSQUITO NETS Mosquito nets for cattle have been used further land sales. They have attempted to mark in other provinces to protect cattle from disease-carrying forest boundaries with cement poles, but such ef- insects, while in Oddar Meanchey wood is burnt to create forts have been ineffective. 9 $ # 0 Border tensions have also put the forest under pressure, with new military camps planned for the area. The installations would occupy one square s !GRICULTURAL )NTENSIlCATION Improved irrigation, training kilometer of land and soldiers may be entitled to and inputs will increase agricultural productivity and thus 5 hectares each to grow food. H.E. Ty Sokhun has communicated with the regional military $ commander to ensure that such camps are located 0 > 0? $ $ outside the CF areas, but vigilance will be required j]+! if the forest is to remain intact. $ s .ATURAL 2ESOURCE -ANAGEMENT 0ROJECTS Natural resou- $ $ ! $ ! $$ $$ $! imple mented to complement CF activities and support sus $ s .4&0 $EVELOPMENT Community enterprises for honey, rattan, resin, forest foods and other NTFPs provide alterna- Romdoul Veasna 6,016 ha s &IRE PREVENTION Fire prevention strategies were success- VXX* & $$ ! $$ ! 4 # $ 20 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
Case: Sorng Rokavorn CF – Local respect helps maintain sanctity of the forest
Joint patrols of monks and local villagers have proved to be effective in controlling illegal logging by soldiers and businessmen. Critically, their stewardship of the area was respected by local communities, as well as by government officials who have been reluctant to invoke the displeasure of the monks. Those interviewed credited their success to awareness raising, boundary demarcation, patrolling and, most importantly, to their good relationships with the villages located near the forest. An observer reported that: “The monks have a unique approach to forest protection. They have set rules that there is to be no hunting or logging in the CF, but locals can gather NTFP and fish using traditional methods. When they encounter an offender, they use a ‘soft’ approach, asking them if they know the forest is protected, explaining to them if they don’t. They then ask them to sign a contract with their thumbprint, confirming they will never again At 18,164 hectares, Sorng Rokavorn CF is the conduct illegal activities in the CF. They confiscate largest CF in the project. Initiated in 2001 under their materials and take their photograph for the leadership of a local monk, the Venerable their files. They have a three-strikes-you’re-out Bun Saluth, it is also one of the most effectively policy, but say they have never had a repeat of- managed. The Venerable took his inspiration fender and have never had to send anyone from his years in Thailand where Buddhist to court.” monks – who believe that “the forest is the house The experience in Sorng Rokavorn demonstrates of the Buddha” – have played an important how successful forest management can be role in the environmental movement. when it is linked to the local cultural context, in The Venerable and other monks from the pagoda this case integrating Buddhist philosophy and the began patrolling a block of forest to the southeast leadership of local monks, who continue to enjoy of the provincial capital, Samraong. The block wide respect throughout rural Cambodia. – home to a number of rare wildlife species, including slow loris, fishing cat, gaur, sun bear and possibly tiger – was chosen primarily for its biodiversity value.
21 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
PROJECT BENEFITS
Economic and Financial Benefits $ 4 4 ^X ! $ $ Some of the unknowns include the amount of carbon stocks, the ability to control drivers of deforestation $ #
1 $! $ ! $ # ) 9 Z $ ! $ ! $ $ $ $ 1 $ # $ $ $ $ #
! $ 4 ! communication with stakeholders has been balanced to avoid raising expectations while also providing $ ] $
Division of Project Income { $ $ ! # ! ! $ # 4 $ $ $
! $ % q**! 7S $ $ $ $ )X+ $ ] $$ $ ! $ 9
> ? $ |
1 A portion of credits deducted as reserves. 0 $ $ 9 ! ]X9^X+ ! `& ! $ # 9 % $ VX+ ] \
2 A percentage of credits to Terra Global as compensation. As mentioned, Terra Global will receive a percentage of the credits after reserves, based on their compensation agreement for carbon $ $ # 7 % $ VX
3 A percentage-calculated management fee. 1 # % $ # $ ] " ! $ $ ! #9 7 )+ $ # S 9 $ $
22 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
4 Payment for project costs. " ! ! $ $ 9 " # $ $ 4 $ $ $ $$ 4 4 $ qXX!XXX
5 .ET INCOME AFTER PROJECT COSTS DELIVERED TO COMMUNITIES % \ q** $ 1 $ $ $ ! the three general priorities are to:
A . 4 $ ' $$ $ $ ! % 9 7 7 $ )X+ $ ] $$ B C 0$ {
] ] 1 ] ! " ! % 7 $ $ $ $ $ $> ? { # ! $ % $
PROPOSED REVENUE FLOWS – ODDAR MEANCHEY CARBON PROJECT
ESTIMATED
UNDISCLOSED
Donor & Private Sector Project Funds Implementation -% Management fee costs 0ACT 3UPPORTING 0ARTNER
23 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
Benefits to Communities and Households - $ $ & $ S $$ $! $ $$ S $$ $ $ 0 $ # $ |
1 Secure Tenure and Access to Resources. 7 $ ! $$ & 9 $ $$ villagers a genuine sense of ownership of the forest and therefore a greatly enhanced commitment to protection efforts (it also makes for a stronger submission to the CCB, which strongly supports ? Under the CF Agreement, these communities receive 15-year forest management rights, with the 7 $ $ % ] ! $ & 7 $ VXXq & % $ In order that their “ownership” of the forest not be theoretical only, the agreements stipulate that timber harvesting is not forbidden but must be approved by the Community Forestry Management & $$ ! $$ $ ! $ $ $! $ $ ! !
2 Financial Benefits. 7 # $ 79 % 7 $ $ $ $ )X+ S $ $$ >7$ ! $ { $ &&_! those of socially responsible investors, who will base their decision on whether or not to invest in part $$ ? However, the precise level of income this formulation will generate for the local communities will $ 4 $ $ 7 $ 4 ! ' 1 ! ) 9 Z $ 0 Z $ ]] #! $ $ $ $$ )])!)XX 0 ! ! $$ ) $ ! $ ! $ $ $ VzV!)XX ] ! $ ! $ ] $ # ]] ! $ years providing little or no net income for community development beyond support which is already 0 ! & 7 $ $$ $ ! $$ $ # $ $ $ 24 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
Women’s participation in the project may be limited unless concerted efforts are made to ensure their participation and share of benefits.
3 Employment Benefits. $ $ $$ ! $$ ! 7\ $ VX $ $ $ ! $ $$ ! $ # $ ! additional employment opportunities will be generated through community-led activities in the areas ! $
4 Training and Capacity-Building. The FA and Pact will both provide training and capacity building & $ $ $$ $ $ $ range of income-generating activities, notably including the management of increasingly large portions $
5 Social Benefits. 7$ ' $ community governance structures, such as the CFMCs, village Sub-Committees and the CF 7 ' $ $ $ $ In addition to helping alleviate adversarial relationships with authorities through the institution of an explicit framework for cooperation and increased engagement, instituting social capital in the villages $$ $
Climate Benefits The REDD mechanism was designed with a primary aim of helping address the issue of global $ 0 ! - . { 4 $ Z ] $ $ ^X9 $ 1 $ $ $ $ ! $ $ 9 - . & $$ 9 $ & $ N N $ $ $ $
25 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA LESSONS LEARNED AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR APPLICATION IN CAMBODIA AND INTERNATIONALLY
$ $ - . ! & $ $ $ $ $ $ >" ! on the voluntary market, but there has been a growing consensus since CoP 13 in Bali that REDD should [\ &&& 9VX]V! } " $ $ ?
$ 4 $ ' $! $ $ ! $ 9 9 7 9$ # are sometimes removed from the realities in developing country contexts, the following recommendations aim to provide some insight into how international REDD policy could best meet the complimentary $ $ { 9 $$
1 Formal feasibility studies- 1 $ ' ! $ ! ! # 9 0 $$ $ % $$ $
2 Division of benefits- - . { # $ $ $ $ 0 $$ # $ ! $ $ ! $ $$ ! $$ &&_ 9 ' $ # # $$ 0 $
3 Start-up funding and costing for in-country project development- - . $ $ 9 ]^9$ ^VV!Zz) 7 ! $ $ $ $$ $ # _ ! 9 $ will be sought, meaning that the carbon price may be lower than if payment occurred at the time of 0 $$ 9 $ # & $$ 5 0 $ # & 5 $! $ $ $ ' expenses, but also present a true accounting of how much it costs to properly implement a CF/REDD 0 ! 9 & 5 $ ! 4
26 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
4 A sub-national approach- - . 9 $ be integrated into a national carbon accounting system, pending discussions currently taking place in & $ While national accounting is more effective at dealing with leakage (at least within national borders), 9 $ | ]? { $ $ $ $ { # > 9 9 4 ? V? $ # > ' ? $$ ^? $ S $ $ A sub-national approach can also be used as an interim measure to achieve fast action, with subsequent $ # 0 $ 9$ # $ $ 9
5 Government engagement- High-level government engagement has proven to be of critical $ - . 0 $ $ % $ >^X ?! ] $ $
6 Role of the supporting partner- Questions have also arisen as to the appropriate role for the > ! & 0 " ? 0 $ ! $ $ # sense for the supporting partner to work on developing the capacity of the relevant government ! $ { \%- 1 \%- $ # 4 ! $ \%- N # $ $ N $ P Q $ & 4 $ $ 0 $$ $ and open discussion on the role of the supportting partner and the ethics underlying the division
7 Technical Requirements- { $ - . ! `& ! { { 4 7 VXz $ ! 4 $ $ $ 7 ! $ > $ qX ? 4 $ 4 $$ $
0 & $ ! $ # $ 0 $$ $ { $ ! $ # $ . { $ # 0 $ $ ! $ { $ 4
27 COMMUNITIES & CARBON, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY FORESTRY REDD PROJECT IN CAMBODIA
PACT CAMBODIA Phnom Penh Center, Building A, 3rd floor & # VZj ^ _ Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkar Morn Phnom Penh " - _ 4 ]j*! } $ & $ | >z))9V^? V]Z z)) 4| >z))9V^? V]Z z)q $
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