REPUBLIC OF GUINEA Work – Justice – Solidarity

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND FORESTRY

ROADMAP

FOR THE

REDUCTION OF THE EMISSIONS FROM DEFORESTATION, FOREST DEGRADATION AND LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY (REDD+) IN GUINEA

November 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Background ...... 1 1. Lower Guinea ...... 3 2. Middle Guinea ...... 3 3. Upper Guinea ...... 3 4. Forest Guinea ...... 3 R-PP and its preparation process ...... 4 The importance of Guinean forests ...... 5 Causes of deforestation and forest degradation ...... 7 Underlying or indirect causes ...... 9 1. Poverty levels ...... 9 2. Demographic causes...... 10 3. Cultural causes ...... 10 4. Technological causes ...... 10 5. Political and institutional or governance related causes ...... 11 6. Economic causes ...... 11 Analysis of causes and some measures to curb or reverse deforestation ...... 11 Strategic Options for REDD+ in Guinea ...... 15 1. Continuous improvement of REL and MRV ...... 15 2. The Global Framework for REDD + ...... 16 Steps to take to be ready for REDD+ ...... 16 USAID / WA BiCC’s Contribution ...... 18 1. Conservation of the Ziama forest ...... 18 2. National group of experts for the conservation of endangered species in Guinea ...... 18 3. Mobilization for the restoration of degraded forest landscapes / ...... 19 (challenge)...... 19 4. Support for national /sub-regional adaptation plans ...... 19 Management and cost of the preparation process ...... 20

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: The four natural regions of Guinea 2 Figure 2: Guinea as the water reservoir of West Africa and a hub with a high concentration of chimpanzees in the sub region. 6

Figure 3 : Changes between 1975 and 2013 in Guinea 8 Figure 4 : Causes of loss of biodiversity in Guinea 12

LIST OF ACRONYMS AFD French Development Agency SCCF Civil Society Consultation Framework UNFCCC United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change NDCs Nationally Determined Contributions COSIE PRSP Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper FCPF RMF Road Maintenance Fund FFN ESF Environmental Safeguard Fund GHS Greenhouse Gas GIEC MEWF Ministry of Environment Water and Forestry MRV OSFACO PNDES ESDP Economic and Social Development Plan REDD+ REL/RL RDFL Restoration of Degraded Forest Landscapes R-PP MPDM Master Plan for the Development of Mangroves MPDL Master Plan for the Development of Lands USAID United States Agency for International Development VCS

Background

The Republic of Guinea is located in the northern hemisphere in the western part of the African continent. It stretches between the 7th and 12th northern parallels and between longitudes 8° and 15° west. The entire territory falls within the humid tropics. It is bordered to the north by Mali and Senegal, to the south by Sierra Leone and Liberia, to west by Guinea Bissau and the Atlantic Ocean and to the east by Cote d’Ivoire and Mali. The country covers an area of 245 857 km² and currently has a population of about 12,000,000 inhabitants. Guinea is a territory in transition between the sub-equatorial regions, a dense rain forest area in the south, and the Soudan and Sahel regions, a savannah and steppe area in the north. It is also in transition between the west Atlantic façade and the hinterlands of the West African sub region. Guinea is well endowed with natural resources, including minerals. The mining sector accounts for about 25% of state revenue. Guinea is home to over 25 billion tons of bauxite, which could represent up to half of world reserves. In addition, the country also holds over 4 billion tons of high-grade iron ore and significant gold and diamond reserves as well as large quantities of uranium and potential oil reserves. Guinea ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1993. To contribute to the fight against climate and especially the restoration of its forest cover, the government of Guinea has joined the REDD+ mechanism since 2015 through the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MEWF) and the National REDD Coordination. Like most West African countries, Guinea is not a major greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter, including CO2, but the emissions have been on an upward trend since 2007 (World Bank, 2016). The per capita CO2 emissions rose from 0.119 ton in 2007 to 0.226 ton in 2011 (PNDES, 2016).

The diversity of the geomorphology, climatic conditions, landscape structure and vegetation coupled human factors make it possible to divide the country into four natural regions, namely: 1) Lower Guinea or Maritime Guinea; Middle Guinea or Fouta Djallon; (3) Upper Guinea and Forest Guinea [Figure 1].

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Guinea

Landscape

Figure 1: The four natural regions of Guinea

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1. Lower Guinea is the maritime region covering a strip of about 150 km wide on average, constituting the continental shelve between the Fouta Djallon highlands to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the West. Before this low gradient continental shelf there are 50 to 90 km wide seafront alluvial plains. This region is also characterized by a tropical climate known as sub Guinean climate under maritime influence (advancing monsoon) with abundant rainfall, always above 2 meters per year, and low temperature variations of 22 to 32 degrees and a fully dry season from November to April.

2. Middle Guinea is the Fouta Djallon mountainous region made up of lateritic highlands with altitudes ranging between 500 and 1500 meters. It is an uneven region with its cliffs reaching heights of several hundreds of meters and great walls between which originate many water bodies in West Africa, including the Gambia and the Bafing (one of the major branches of the Senegal River). The tropical climate in this region changes into a mountain climate, described as Foutanian, which is particularly pleasant, with temperature significantly reduced by the altitude and dropping to below 100 during the minor cold season (November, December, January) especially on the highlands at Dalaba and Mali. The average maximum temperature is 290 and the average minimum temperature is 17o with less abundant rains which range from 1.5 to 2.50m from the North to the South. 3. Upper Guinea or the pre-Sudanese zone is closer to the southern borders of Mali. It consists of low plateaus and vast lateritic plains making up a savannah shrublands through which flow the Niger River and its tributaries: the Tinkisso, Fie, Sankarani… Its dry tropical climate is known as sub Sudanese or Sudano-Guinean climate. The seasonal amplitude of temperatures ranges from 18o to 40o C with rainfall varying between 1200 and 1800mm/annum from the north to south. The vegetation is stunted during the dry season from November to May and often ravaged by bushfires. 4. Forest Guinea is a region with a relatively uneven landscape, a fairly humid climate and the vegetation in the southern part already point to large sub equatorial forests. (Beaujeu-Garnier, 1958). Rainfall along this latitudinal gradient varies between 1500 and 2500mm and spreads over 7 to 10 months. The dry season lasts only two to three months, January and December. Humidity is significant and constant and spread over the entire year. Average monthly temperatures are between 24° and 30°, the absolute minimum temperature being around 18o and the maximum 32o. The agricultural system in this forest region is marked by the slash-and-burn shifting cultivation method in rice fields and tree or agro-forest plantations (coffee, cola nut, oil palm, fruit trees). This system of farming has caused immeasurable damage to the Guinea’s forest resources. The Guinean government has included forestry and land use in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) prepared in 2015, which it undertook to implement under the UNFCCC. REDD is necessary for Guinea to achieve its objectives of

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reducing emissions as land use, changes in the use of lands and forestry are major sources of GHG emissions in the country.

R-PP and its preparation process

The R-PP document is Guinea’s roadmap in its preparation for the REDD+ mechanism. The R-PP is a national document in the sense that it has been fully endorsed by the government of Guinea which is aware that it is committing the country over several years. It will be submitted to bilateral and multilateral technical and financial partners as well as United Nations specialized agencies from November 2017.

The R-PP provides the preparation approaches, procedures and steps to follow in the coming 3 to 4 years. It does not yet include the country’s REDD+ strategy but steps towards developing this strategy. The strategic options and intervention strategies that are outlined in the document are ideas to be explored based on deeper analysis, wider consultations and real negotiations with all those that can be affected concerned or interested by the REDD+.

The preparation of this document was entrusted by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forestry (MEWF) to the National REDD Coordination and a group of experts making up a Task Force with the technical and financial support of USAID through its West Africa Biodiversity and Climate Change (WA BiCC) regional program. The preparation of the R-PP document drew extensively on the consultation process adopted in developing the National Economic and Social Development Plan (NESDP). This document is in line with NESDP’s vision and the PNE objectives.

These stakeholders were largely involved in the formulation of the proposal on the preparation for REDD+ through individual interviews and during the many workshops organized throughout the preparation of the proposal. These same stakeholders will be regularly consulted and informed during the finalization of the strategic (national strategy, implementation framework) and technical (reference scenario and MRV system) elements in the preparation for REDD+.

The process was based on a participatory approach and benefited from inputs from various stakeholders at the national and regional levels and in all sectors of activities that affect land use (agriculture, livestock production, energy, mines, land development…). Regional consultations were held in the four natural regions of Guinea (Lower Guinea, Middle Guinea, Upper Guinea and Forest Guinea) as well as the special coastal mangrove area of Boke affected by a high rate of deforestation in Guinea due to the presence of over a dozen mining companies that are building mini ports for the export of mining products. Representative of grassroots communities, including women managers of natural resources and communities adjoining the forest formed the majority of the 400 participants who took part in these regional consultations. Civil society actors (through the Guinea Consultation Framework on

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REDD+ for civil society (CACOSG-REDD)́1, the private sector (timber, agro-industry and mining subsectors), universities, researchers as well technical and financial partners were called upon to express their views and concerns on REDD+ and propose solutions for the fight against deforestation and forest degradation. The content of this document will be subject to significant amendments based on comments and suggestions made by both national and international experts.

Proposals retained in the current version of the R-PP, meaning activities, approaches and methodologies, major principles, strategic options and institutional arrangement for managing the preparation will be approved by stakeholders during national consultation workshops to be planned. These workshops will bring together stakeholders from Conakry and the regions. Participants will represent all stakeholders consulted previously: governors, civil society, including local communities, the private sector and partners. The importance of Guinean forests

Guinea is known for its status as the “Water Reservoir” of West Africa”. Many rivers, including the Niger, Senegal and Gambia originate from Guinea and flow across over a dozen countries such as Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania and Senegal (see the map). The country is endowed with a bio-ecological diversity that is unique in West Africa, especially in its the relics of dense and humid forest which constitute the north-west end of the large Congo-Guinea tropical forest. According to experts in ecology, for example, the Ziarma and Dieke forests in Guinea’s forest region occupy respectively the 4th and 7th position among the 12 major sites identified for biodiversity conservation in West Africa. Guinea has the highest concentration of chimpanzees in the sub region (see the map). By 2005, over 20 new species had already been described for Guinea and in science (RGBKew, 2017). In terms of endemic species, Guinea has 69 plants, 20 bony fish species, 1 reptile 1 amphibian, 1 mammal and 1 insect as well as several endangered species mostly found in the forests. Unfortunately, over a period of forty years from 1975 to 2013, these forests have been reduced to 33% due to population growth, expansion of agricultural and mining activities, not forgetting the fact that forests have so far remained the main source of energy for households.

Guinea has shown the political will by taking the initiative to place the environment and forests at the heart of the country’s development strategy since the 1990s, starting from the Rio Summit on Sustainable Development. To begin, the government placed environmental and forestry agencies under key sector ministries and finally created the Ministry of Environment Water and Forestry, responsible for ensuring the inclusion of sustainable development principles in public sector policies, among others. .

1 This was established during consultations for the preparation of the R-PP. 5

Figure 2: Guinea as the water reservoir of West Africa and a hub with a high concentration of chimpanzees in the sub region.

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The role of REDD+ in the natural resource conservation and sustainable development

Guinea has recently developed a National Economic and Social Development Plan for the period 2016 – 2020 based on the country’s constitution, Guinea Vision 2040, the President’s Social Project as well as African and international Development Agendas 2 . This constitutes the second generation plan under the 3rd Republic following the Five –Year Plan and comes after three series of Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP), including the last PRSP which ended in 2015. The overall objective of the NESDP is to promote strong and quality growth to improve the well- being of Guineans and bring about the structural transformation of the economy in order to set the country on the path to sustainable development”. Two final results are expected from this overall objective namely: (i) by 2020, the well-being of the Guinean population is improved, inequalities are reduced, and intergenerational equity is ensured,” and (ii) “the sustainable structural transformation of the Guinean economy begins.

Driven by the objective of the NESDP, REDD+’s vision is to achieve a prosperous and climate change resilient economy by 2040 based on the sustainable use of natural resources to protect iconic water sources and improve the welfare of Guineans. The objective of REDD+ is to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by improving forest and land management and ensuring an equitable distribution of carbon and non-carbon benefits among stakeholders, especially local and indigenous communities.

Thus, the REDD+ mechanism is considered as one of the pillars that will help achieve results expected under the NESDP, especially that of increasing the country’s forest cover from 25.9% in 2014 to at least 28% in 2020.

Causes of deforestation and forest degradation

Guinea has lost 33% of its dense forest cover in less than 40 years and intends to significantly reduce deforestation and forest degradation. While the country was losing of its forest cover, the following factors: population, mining and agriculture expansion tripled over the last forty years (Fig 3).

2 Such as Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), Paris Agreement, Agenda 2063 of the African Union (AU), Vision 2020 of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), etc. 7

• Population: from 4.3 to 12 million

• Density: from 14 to 54 inhabitants/Km²

• Agriculture expansion: from 1.3% to 4.7% per annum

• Mines /Quarries: from 40 to 130 Km²

• Loss of dense forest: 33% (440, 000 ha currently remaining)

• Biodiversity on the decline

• Wetlands are reducing

• The risk of global warming is increasing

• The risk of a reduction in agricultural production is also rising

Figure 3: Changes between 1975 and 2013 in Guinea

The main drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in Guinea stem from sectors such as forestry, agriculture, energy, mining, land use (infrastructure development). They were identified as follows:

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Underlying or indirect causes

1. Poverty levels Sector Causes of deforestation and forest degradation • Unsustainable and extensive farming practices • Poor livestock management practices • Reliance on wood fuel for processing of agricultural products • Lack of incentives for the intensification of agricultural production • Use of fire for land preparation • Low agricultural yields and inadequate farmlands for a growing population Agriculture • Increased access to forest areas and migration to forest areas • Social norms (claiming lands through their development or use as crop farms) • Poor forest tenure encouraging the conversion of forests into farmlands; • Promotion of commercial farming (including industrial plantations such, oil palm, rubber, etc.) by policymakers who compare the relatively low direct economic benefits derived from the forest to other alternatives like agriculture; • Ambitious production targets for the agricultural sector (contribution to national revenue) • Felling of trees to create space for mining sites and living areas for workers Mining (industrial • Timber harvesting for mining infrastructure and artisanal) • Clearing of forest and pollution of the environment by mine effluents that are harmful to biodiversity integrity • Uncontrolled harvesting and encroachment in protected zones • Over exploitation and unsustainable harvesting methods of forests in concession areas Forest • Over exploitation and unsustainable use of the forest in unclassified areas • Uncontrolled bushfires • Felling of trees for charcoal production Energy • Use of charcoal and firewood as the main source of energy Land use and • Unplanned use of lands which does not take into account forest integrity and biodiversity conservation infrastructure • Urban expansion development • Development of infrastructure: dams, ports, roads, etc.

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Poverty has been identified as the driving force behind the direct causes of deforestation and forest degradation. During consultations in the R-PP process, we observed that all issues concerning inadequate alternative employment opportunities, limited income generation opportunities, poorly diversified livelihood options and limited sources of energy were considered as elements that account for the high levels of poverty. In Guinea, the forest provides a socio-economic safety net in terms of food security under unfavorable climate conditions, remedies when people are unable to pay formal hospital fees and PFNL for securing revenue food and health security.

2. Demographic causes

The Guinean population grow by 2.8 % per annum, this increases the demand for firewood by households, farmland and timber and the risk for bushfires. Mining in forest areas and other infrastructure are factors that contribute to migratory flows of populations towards these areas.

3. Cultural causes

The value attached to biological resources resulting from tradition and culture has implications for how these resources can be utilized. Since time immemorial, biological resources have been used for food, accommodation, beverages, fiber, tools, medicines, religious purposes and for their aesthetic values. In some communities, biological resources are considered as God’s gifts and must be harvested without any hindrance. Besides, the use of these resources is dictated by customs and traditions to meet basic needs and as a source of monetary revenues. This situation coupled with poor regulatory mechanisms lead to the overexploitation of biological resources.

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4. Technological causes

The technology currently used in charcoal production is so inefficient that it requires more wood biomass for a unit of charcoal produced and for the production of charcoal in reasonable quantities to make good returns. In sum, the current technology leads to low conversion and recovery rates. In addition, forest areas where charcoal is produced are not subject to any forest management to ensure regeneration, which is necessary for sustaining the forest as a source of renewable energy. Timber is used in various mining operations, especially in surface mining where timber is used as accessories for wells and as railway slippers. The mining industry is not legally obliged to undertake a progressive reforestation on and around waste dumps and tailing sites.

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2. Political and institutional or governance related causes

Ensuring coherence in policies is a challenge. There are differences between existing policies and the complex reality of implementing them. Forest management in Guinea is very weak, with inadequate allocation of human and financial resources to the Directorate of Forestry and Water to fulfil its mandate of forest management and monitoring, despite the recent creation of a body of paramilitary forest conservators. There are inconsistencies in policies guiding the issuance of exploration and mining permits by the Ministry of Mines, dam building permits by the Ministry of Energy and building permits in the protected forest areas by the Ministry of Housing.

3. Economic causes The structure of Guinea’s economy and tax system require incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of forests. There are no incentives to add value to standing forest or forest products. The result is a preference of some community members, thanks to government fertilizer subsidies, to transform a forest for other economic uses such as agriculture, which is perceived as more profitable than forest conservation in the short term. Analysis of causes and some measures to curb or reverse deforestation

The table below summarizes the results of regional and national consultations with key stakeholders collectively and individually on the causes of deforestation and forest degradation and their views on solutions in the natural areas and at the national level in Guinea.

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Direct and indirect causes in the various natural regions and some solutions

: Indirect causes Human activities

Population explosion Poaching Deforestation Slash and burn Charcoal

Poverty Illegal fishing and overfishing Chemical products Timber

Poor governance Mines Overgrazing Lumber

Figure 4: Causes of loss of biodiversity in Guinea

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Regions Sensitive areas Factors/Activities Solutions /steps to be taken - Population Technical - Rice farming ▪ Promote the development and management of pastoral and agro- - Traditional salt production pastoral areas (marking trails, watering points, capacity building for - Carbonization livestock farmers); - Fishing ▪ Develop forests classified by the State and protected areas - Mangrove - Bush fires (develop and implement management plans) - Mining areas - Transhumance /overgrazing ▪ Increase the surface area of protected areas at the national level Lower - Konkouré Basin - Urbanization ▪ Improve carbonization techniques (Cassamance grinding stones) Guinea - Refugee - Mining ▪ Develop watersheds (defense and restoration of soils, protection of reception area - Climatic factors (erosion) sources, agroforestry, community and integrated management of - Exploitation of palm trees water resources, bushfire management) - Abusive cutting of wood ▪ Document and add value to endogenous knowledge on sustainable - Hydroelectric works land management - Poor governance and weak law ▪ Promote sustainable land management techniques in the enforcement agricultural sector (permaculture, agro ecology, crop rotation, - Senegal River - Slash-and-burn agriculture assisted natural regeneration) Basin - Bush fires ▪ Reforest bare areas - Upper Niger - Overgrazing ▪ Update the master plan for the management of mangroves Basin - Exploitation of palm trees (SDAM) and Guinean lands in general (SDAT) ; Middle - Gambia River - Transhumance ▪ Adopt a cadastral plan Guinea Watershed - Cutting of lumber ▪ Settle farms and agricultural systems - Classified - Wood energy ▪ Promote high-value-added agro-forestry sectors with special forests and - Brick firing emphasis on Guinea pepper (fèfè), coffee trees, cola trees, cashew protected areas - Governance and weak law trees, Xylopia aethiopica ; enforcement ▪ Promote sustainable alternatives (improved stoves, butane gas, - Niger Basin - Transboundary transhumance eco-tourism, non-forest income generating activities, etc.) Upper - Mining areas - Mining ▪ Sensitize the population Guinea - Classified - Brick firing forests and - Sand extraction in Niger

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protected areas - Bush fires Governance and Law enforcement - Agriculture - Poaching ▪ Revise upwards and enforce penalties and fines for offenders of the - Production of biofuels different Codes; - Demographic pressure ▪ Further promote disincentives to land and environmental - Cutting of stems of Lophira degradation; lanceolata (toothpicks). ▪ Institutionalize the issue of sustainable land management in - Poor governance and weak law environmental and social impact studies; enforcement ▪ Integrate and institutionalize the management of natural resources in all development programs; ▪ Review all Codes concerning natural resource management ▪ Harmonize sectoral laws Logging and mining in classified - ▪ Better define the mandates and authority of stakeholders in the Refugee forests - management of natural resources reception areas Overgrazing in Beyla and Lola - Forest - Mining areas - Destruction of forest rings Contribution from the Natural Resource Management Funds Guinea - Classified - Demographic pressure forests and - Industrial processing of palm oil ▪ Institutionalize the allocation of a portion of funds from the protected areas - Poor governance, corruption and management of natural resources (National Forestry Fund (FFN), weak law enforcement Environmental Safeguard Fund (FSE), Mining Fund, Road Maintenance Fund (FER), etc.) for sustainable land management ▪ Establishment of a REDD+ National Fund

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Guinea intends to take radical steps against the following possible causes: unsustainable logging, collection of fuelwood associated with ineffective carbonization techniques and grazing in the forest. Drawing lessons from illegal logging, specific attention will be given to failures in forest governance, which is a prerequisite for implementing REDD+ strategies.

Strategic Options for REDD+ in Guinea

Four strategic options will be further developed for the REDD+ approach to be implemented, three of which relate to governance due to the close links between deforestation and governance. An in-depth analysis of the causes of deforestation, complemented by capitalization of the achievements under REDD+ initiatives and public consultations will be carried out for the preparation of this document, especially in the following areas:

1. Improve governance in the forest sector and land use; 2. Develop alternatives to deforestation and degradation of forest resources 3. Clarify land and forest issues (a zoning plan or master plan for land development or land use). Promote incentives for sustainable management and efficient use of forest resources; 4. Strengthen forest monitoring and control and law enforcement.

The areas of intervention proposed for each option will spell out actions that will be the subject to reflections and testing during the preparation. To address the direct and underlying causes of deforestation and degradation, the sub-options will involve reflections based on a multisector approach. The REDD+ strategy will prioritize actions that will be directly funded by the REDD+ Funds from donors and those to be implemented in partnership with other sectors and financial resources. Results of the analyses will make it possible to confirm and refine options or reformulate new ones, as well as concrete action plans for the short and medium term.

1. Continuous improvement of REL and MRV

The reference emission levels (REL/RL) will be adjusted in this version of the RPP to take into account of the: i) significant progress made by various REDD+ initiatives in the country, ii) experiences and skills acquired by national institutions in this regard, such as COSIE with the support of OSFACO of AFD and iii) important methodological developments at the international level.

The country could thus opt for a jurisdictional REDD+ approach driven by voluntary pilot projects such as VCS and decide to start the process by establishing eco- regional RELs initially dedicated to deforestation only and forest types with the greatest REDD+ potential. These RELs will then evolve towards the RELs covering all the major forests on the national territory. The MRV system will follow the same pattern based on existing capacities and with financial support from partners yet to be identified.

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The deployment of REL/RL and the MRV system will therefore be done in stages through “‘no regrets” activities to facilitate the move towards high precision systems that are flexible enough to take into account national/regional circumstances and developments under REDD+ at the international level.

An information system on safeguards will also be set up with the support of civil society through the consultation framework of Guinean CSOs on REDD+ (CACOSC- REDD+) which has already started activities in this direction to organize the collection/dissemination of information by fully involving the grassroots communities.

2. The Global Framework for REDD +

Recognizing that deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries are among the world’s leading sources of carbon emissions, estimated at 10% according to the latest IPCC data (2014), the international community has placed REDD+ at the top of the climate agenda. Since the mid-2000s, the idea of establishing a global mechanism to reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation in tropical developing countries has been growing under the UNFCCC. The REDD+ mechanism has expanded to include five activities: reduce emissions from deforestation; reduce emissions from forest degradation; conserving forest carbon stocks; sustainable forest management; and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. Following the UNFCCC COP 16 in Cancun (2010), and recognizing that REDD+ countries are at different stages of development, it was agreed that REDD+ should take place in three phases: i. The Development of the National REDD+ strategy including national dialogue, institutional strengthening and demonstration activities. These activities should continue to be supported by voluntary contributions that are immediately available, such as those administered through the FCPF, UN-REDD and other bilateral arrangements; ii. The implementation of national policies and measures and national strategies that could involve capacity building, technology development and transfer and results- based demonstration activities supported by an internationally binding financial instrument with enforceable commitments; and iii. Payments for results-based measures that should be fully measured, reported and verified against quantified forest emission reductions and removals in line with agreed baselines. This could be financed by the sale of REDD+ units in global compliance markets. In addition to markets, national funds can also manage international donor funds on the basis of bilateral agreements to finance results- based actions. Steps to take to be ready for REDD+

Given the lack of predictable funds for REDD+ in planning, it is difficult to envisage that Guinea will be ready for the REDD+ mechanism at the end of 3 or 4 years or by 2021. Strategies will be formulated and the necessary technical tools will be in place.

The strategic formulation process will be spread over 3 years through 5 main steps:

• Following a process of wider dissemination of information, an in-depth analysis of the root causes of deforestation on the basis of natural regions will

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be conducted for a representative sample of ‘natural regions’ with specific ecosystems; • Subsequently, strategic options initially formulated will be refined through major analyses. In coordination with all stakeholders and especially with all relevant sectors that will be involved at the decision-making level, the best combination of areas of intervention will be sought to formulate several scenarios that will be subject to negotiations and consultations at all levels. The criteria for choices will revolve around effectiveness, efficiency and equity. Maximum impacts on deforestation and maintenance of biodiversity and sources will be sought.

In this R-PP, the choice of the country is based on a national REDD+ approach with strong local anchoring through « landscape pilot project approach ». Its implementation must be done progressively to allow the different structures and reforms to be pursued. All that is described above will inform a national policy and regulation strategy which will be broken down into inter-regional strategies for operationalization in the short and medium term.

• Strategic environmental and social assessments will be designed in a participatory manner and then implemented. This is in line with national commitments, international agreements and resolutions of the Conference of the Parties on social and environmental principles and criteria on safeguards. • Alongside the formulation of these strategies, the overall implementation framework will be reviewed through studies. This framework, negotiated with all stakeholders, will ensure better harmonization of policies and thus secure the operationalization of strategies. This will focus on the following areas: (i) intersectoral coordination, (ii) regional or landscape approach and monitoring, (iii) forest carbon ownership, (iv) allocation of funds to operationalize REDD+, (v) appropriate communication strategy, and (vi) carbon revenue management and sharing.

The provision of technical tools that will support the REDD+ mechanism will be spread over 3 years, followed by an additional year to refine the accuracy of the tools:

• For the formulation of the national reference scenario, it appears that the study of current and historical trends is not sufficient. Guinea will therefore progress towards a projected reference scenario to take into account all future threats.

• For the implementation of the MRV system, Guinea will enhance its standards for monitoring the forest cover, improve knowledge on carbon storage capacity of different plants and soil. Studies will be conducted in the early years and national capacity and expertise will be strengthened. The formulation of the system will be done after these studies.

Along with this whole process, the country will take early actions to learn lessons from it to feed into discussions at the national level. These actions may be in line with existing projects in the various landscapes or regions where pilot projects have been created for landscape restoration.

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USAID / WA BiCC’s Contribution

USAID / WA BiCC support helped to build the foundation for REDD+ in Guinea. On the recommendation of the Minister for Water, Forest and Hunting, Mrs. Assiatou Baldé, a multidisciplinary REDD+ coordination team, two consultants as well as the WA BiCC staff toured all the four ecological regions of Guinea. This helped to mobilize more than 400 resources persons to discuss the degrading state of the Guinean vegetation cover, regional realities, and propose REDD+ as an option to conserve the remaining forests, manage them well and reforest degraded forest landscapes. To do so, it is necessary to mobilize, consult, dialogue, train in order to create opportunities and practices conducive to a positive transformation. WABiCC explores several avenues of support for Guinea including:

• WA BiCC’s support for transboundary landscape conservation in Ziama and Wonegizi between Guinea and Liberia. • Establishment of a national group of experts to promote the conservation of endangered species and their increasingly fragile habitats. • Mobilization for a national/sub-regional strategy for the restoration of degraded forest landscapes and conservation of chimpanzees. • Support for the national /sub-regional adaptation plan

1. Conservation of the Ziama forest

The support included – strengthening the conservation of forests and biodiversity in Ziama ; supporting the creation of an enabling environment that facilitates forest governance and law enforcement in the Ziama landscape ; promoting sustainable livelihood activities that contribute to improving the well-being of people in the Ziama landscape and reducing unsustainable reliance on forests while striving to identify sustainable forest management approaches ; and finally, encouraging learning and sharing of inspiring knowledge, responsible attitudes and best practices that strengthen local interventions and national or regional policy initiatives sponsored by national and non-governmental partners as well as key WA BiCC and UFM, ECOWAS regional partners in particular.

2. National group of experts for the conservation of endangered species in Guinea

Create a national group of experts to promote the conservation of endangered species and their sometimes fragmented habitats: The aim is to improve coordination, collaboration and access to scientific data on priority endangered species, contribute to better management of biodiversity and mitigate all threats to these priority species, including habitat loss, habitat degradation and wildlife trafficking. This group of experts will enable the country to improve systems for collecting and sharing data on endangered species through the prioritization of birds, mammals, reptiles or other aspects of biodiversity at the national level. It will also strengthen communication, collaboration and coordination between owners of species data and biodiversity management authorities in each country. Finally, it will

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facilitate data sharing and coordination on the design and implementation of regional species management strategies and the action plans for biodiversity conservation models.

3. Mobilization for the restoration of degraded forest landscapes / (challenge)

This mobilization aims to support Guinea which wants to reforest 2 million hectares by 2030 (Bonn commitment). The support will help develop national restoration programs and strategies on the Restoration of Degraded Forest Landscapes (RDFL), formulate a roadmap on how Guinea will implement their programs and strategies in terms of RPFD+, share lessons learned in Guinea with other West African countries to enable them to define and implement their Bonn Challenge commitments (restore 150 million hectares across the world by 2030).

4. Support for the national /sub-regional adaptation plan

WA BiCC intends to support Guinea and other countries in the sub-region in the development of their national adaptation plans. Particular attention will be paid to coastal ecosystems with possible capacity building aspects, support for feasibility studies on conservation, adaptation and improving the living conditions of coastal populations.

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• Density: de 14 à 54 P/Km² • Expansion agricole: 1.3% - 4.7% /an • Mine /Carrière: de 40 à 130 Km² • Perte forêt dense: 33% (440, 000 ha reste actuellement) • La biodiversité diminue • Les zones humides se rétrécissent • Le risque de réchauffement climatique augmente et risque de réduction de la production agricole

Management and cost of the preparation process

This REDD+ preparation process is multi-dimensional, multi-sectoral and multi-level. In order to cope with these demands, the program management system will consist of 3 levels:

• A decision-making level by the Office of the Prime Minister through which cross-sectoral arbitration capacity is assigned. • A strategic management level through a platform comprising government representatives, civil society, grassroots local communities, private sector, regions and religious authorities. Its role is to discuss and then technically validate the recommendations and proposals resulting from the activities under the process. Its regional and local members will be called upon to facilitate stakeholder consultations. • An operational level of execution of activities, implemented by the national coordination and a contracted trustee.

The implementation of Guinea’s R-PP will require approximately US $ 23.178 million.

Table 0: Summary of the R-PP budget (in preparation)

Estimated Component cost (US $)

1a Mechanism for managing the preparation 3, 490, 438 1b Consultations and stakeholder participation 2, 214, 669 2a Assessment of land use, forest policy and governance 730, 587

2b REDD+ Strategic options 619, 839 2c Implementation framework 499, 080 2d Social and environmental Impacts (Safeguards) 2, 807, 279 3 Reference scenario 5, 289, 649

4 MRV : Monitoring, Reporting and Audit 6, 613, 287 6 Monitoring and Evaluation of the preparation 912 453 TOTAL cost of the R-PP 23, 177, 281

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