Animal Kingdom

“We are supporting this project because it restores 420,000-hectares of forests and grasslands in a more cost-effective manner. Through planting trees in a new forest plantation, this project is an excellent example of climate change mitigation and adaptation occurring simultaneously, helping nature, wildlife, and the vulnerable Masai population.

Revenue from the carbon offset sales is re-invested in community projects per the community members’ choice. Funds also go for training local capacity-building efforts are already showing results as the communities become more resilient to the impacts of climate change. The project earned CCB gold accreditation for its community benefits, which we are excited to continue to monitor.”

—Sid Yadav, Director of Project Research

Project Type: Avoided Nature Loss

Carbon Standard: Verra

Vintage: 2016

Additionality: Without the project, enhanced deforestation and degradation of the land would occur, including a nearly complete loss of above-ground trees and shrubs.

Permanence: The project is designed for 30 years and the risks to project permanence are mitigated by project activities, experienced management, and community outreach.

Home to 17% of the world’s forests, Africa is also losing forests at 4 times the rate of the global average. The project, a multi-partner initiative, including 4 tribes of indigenous people, protects 420,000 hectares including the Chyulu Hills cloud and lava forests and the surrounding savannah woodlands.

It prevents the emissions of the equivalent of more than 28 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over the 30-year timeline, supports local communities with alternative livelihoods, and restores biodiversity.

Overgrazing, drought, deforestation, and forest degradation severely impact Chyulu Hills, a critical wildlife corridor and freshwater source between the Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks. Wildlife corridors, like Chyulu Hills, allow wildlife to safely migrate between the two parks in search of food, water, and calving grounds.

The Hills are home to traditional pastoralist Maasai and small-scale farmers most of whom live in extreme poverty. These rural communities continue to experience population growth at a high rate, furthering the exploitation of natural resources and wildlife for capital. The animals are at risk of poaching, loss of access to critical resources due to development, and diminished dispersal and migration. Without this project, the conditions are due to worsen.

• Creates jobs from the employment of forest and game rangers to safeguard the Chyulu Hills water catchment.
• Distributes shared revenue to ensure community engagement and equality.
• Clarifies land tenure and land rights to reduce subdivision demand and allow regulated farming and grazing for sustainable land use.
• Strengthens law enforcement to more effectively reduce deforestation and prevent encroachment.
• Expands education and training on a variety of topics including income-generating activities, sustainable agriculture/livestock, community organization, environmentalism, and land rights.
• Protects local biodiversity, including many IUCN Red Listed Species including wild dogs, elephants, cheetahs, hyenas, leopards, bats, shrews, kudus, and vultures.
• Protects local landscape by improving agricultural and livestock management techniques, restoration and reforestation efforts, and establishing tree nurseries.
• Improves local infrastructure and services, including schools, health facilities, water access and agricultural intensification projects.

• Educating and enlisting community members to participate is complicated.
• Due to the multi-partner management structure, several partnership entities interact with each other and collaborate on decision-making, including allocating funds to their communities.
• The Project Site is at risk for illegal activities such as poaching and natural threats such as pests.
• The COVID-19 pandemic impacted day-to-day project activities, although Kenya has remained mostly unscathed.