Carbon Trading Mechanism In Semi –Arid Areas Of North –Western Tanzania: A Case Study Of Kahama District

ABSTRACT

A

study was undertaken aiming four villages of Kilago, Igung'hwa, Ngulu and

Mhongolo of Kahama District, Shinyanga Region. The study objective was to

determine carbon tradi ng mechanism in semi arid areas of north western Tanzania

using Kahama District as a case study. Specific objectives include d 1) assessing

community involvement in carbon trading mechanisms under REDD+ initiatives; 2)

assessing the cost benefit mechanisms towards adoption of REDD+; and 3)

analysing important strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT)

towards implementation of REDD+ in community based forests.

Majority of respondents (84.0%)

were aware of the REDD+ initiatives in forest

conse rvation through in situ c onservation and agro forestry. About 60.0% of the

overall sample respondents we re not aware o n carbon markets and marketing

channels, because carbon trading is a new concept across the study villages. Also

there was no respondent w ho had received any payment for selling carbon credits.

The costs related to forest conservation under REDD+ initiatives were associated

with buying, planting tree seedlings and security of the ngitili. REDD+ initiatives

provide villagers with multiple ben efits such as wood supply for domestic

consumption and acting as a source of household income. The strengths of adoption

of REDD+ initiatives in forest conservation across the study villages include

existence of good village governance; forest protection b y laws, policies and

regulation. The weaknesses of REDD+ initiatives in forest conservation across the

study villages include drought resulting from unpredictable rainfall; low forest

conservation education within the community; inadequate community awareness of

the functioning of REDD+ initiatives and climate change.

The opportunities of adoption of REDD+ initiatives in forest conservation across the

The opportunities of adoption of REDD+ initiatives in forest conservation across the study includestudy include existing current political willexisting current political will by the government on implementation of by the government on implementation of REDD+ REDD+ and the assocand the associated climate change mitigation measures; and iated climate change mitigation measures; and highhigh willingness among donors (CAREwillingness among donors (CARE)) to fund carbon trade across the study villages; to fund carbon trade across the study villages; REDD+ project initiatives; energy saving technology via TATEDO; beekeeping REDD+ project initiatives; energy saving technology via TATEDO; beekeeping practicepractice; ; existingexisting extension services. extension services.

Threatshreats of adoption of REDD+ initiatives in forest conservation across the study of adoption of REDD+ initiatives in forest conservation across the study include wild animals like lion, hyena; land use conflicts; field/bush fires; pests and include wild animals like lion, hyena; land use conflicts; field/bush fires; pests and diseases; change in donor policies (reliance on donor fund) and reliance on external diseases; change in donor policies (reliance on donor fund) and reliance on external markets fomarkets for carbon.r carbon.

It is recommended that efficient alternative energy sources and efficient utilization

It is recommended that efficient alternative energy sources and efficient utilization of biomass such as improved stoves, improved charcoal kilns, and the use of solar of biomass such as improved stoves, improved charcoal kilns, and the use of solar power and biogas should be promoted to reduce pressure on forests. power and biogas should be promoted to reduce pressure on forests.