Program to support Livelihoods Fund

The carbon markets initiated by the Kyoto Protocol (2005) have been widely developed and diversified. However, it has to be noted that investments have until now mainly focused on industrial and energy projects. These developments particularly underscore the observation made by FAO during the Food Summit in November 2009, which shows that poor farming communities have a major role to play in the food challenge in the coming years. 

These communities are dependent on natural resources and have a vital interest in the maintenance and restoration of ecosystems, which constitute the base of their agricultural production. 

Private investors, such as Danone, are experimenting with new approaches to the carbon economy, by supporting pilot projects which combine carbon sequestration, biodiversity restoration, the fight against poverty and an improvement in food security. 

The “Livelihoods” project proposes to pool these energies in an innovative carbon investment fund, which aims to create environmental and social value. 

 

The Livelihoods Fund finances agroforestry, mangrove plantation/restoration and domestic rural energy projects. 

The program comprises 5 components: 

• Measurement and monitoring of the social and environmental impacts.
• Strengthening of the technical arrangements of projects. 
• Capacity building for project developers. 
• Development of actions ensuring the sustainability of projects and strengthening their impact.
• Ex post evaluation of the program..

The various projects will bring about major social, economic and environmental benefits for local communities and their ecosystem, and contribute to the sustainable development of poor farming communities. 

There are many social benefits: 

• Job creation in areas which are sometimes badly affected by the lack of activities. 
• Increased revenues. 
• Food security thanks to fruit production or the increase in fisheries resources. 
• Creation of sustainable economic activities (sale of fish, fruit…).
• Training for communities in sustainable agriculture. 
• Fight against rising salt in crops, and limitation of damage related to climate hazards for projects which aim to restore degraded mangroves. 

The projects also have a number of environmental benefits, with a restoration of natural ecosystems and a major increase in biodiversity.