Tap carbon trade, Tanga told

TANGA: AUTHORITIES in Tanga Region have been directed to immediately halt destructive environmental practices, such as farming on steep slopes to prevent landslides during the ongoing heavy rains and pave the way for communities to tap into the growing global carbon trade market. Tanga Regional Commissioner Dr Batilda Burian issued the directive while opening a …

TANGA: AUTHORITIES in Tanga Region have been directed to immediately halt destructive environmental practices, such as farming on steep slopes to prevent landslides during the ongoing heavy rains and pave the way for communities to tap into the growing global carbon trade market.

Tanga Regional Commissioner Dr Batilda Burian issued the directive while opening a special environmental symposium organised by the Tanga Regional Office as part of activities leading up to World Environment Day next month.

Dr Burian said reports from Lushoto District indicate that a recent landslide had severely disrupted road travel in the area, raising concerns over similar threats in other highland farming zones.

“This practice poses a serious risk to infrastructure and human lives. Imagine a road built at the cost of billions of shillings being destroyed by a landslide that could have been prevented,” she said.

Instead of engaging in environmentally risky activities, Dr Burian urged communities to embrace the potential of carbon trading a move that combines environmental conservation with economic opportunity.

“People must now seriously consider planting trees, not only as a way to protect the environment and mitigate climate change, but also to earn income through carbon credits,” she said.

“This is a chance to turn conservation into a livelihood opportunity communities can earn millions through responsible tree planting and forest management.”

Earlier in the day, Dr Burian led residents in a symbolic tree-planting exercise at Kange, where coconut tree seedlings were planted to promote agroforestry and revive the region’s once-thriving coconut industry. Simba Logistics donated the seedlings.

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The symposium brought together both local and international organisations, many of whom expressed willingness to partner with regional authorities in building the capacity of communities to effectively participate in the carbon market.

World Vision Tanzania announced that, in partnership with World Vision Australia, it had submitted a proposal for a 4.0 million US dollar (approximately 10bn/-) project aimed at equipping communities in Korogwe and Handeni districts with the knowledge and tools needed to engage in carbon trading.

The organisation said consultations had already been held with the National Carbon Monitoring Centre (NCMC) and the project was now awaiting final donor approval before implementation could begin.

The proposed initiative will focus on sustainable land use, reforestation, community education and the development of systems for measuring and verifying carbon credits all essential components for making Tanga a pioneer in community-led climate action and carbon trading in Tanzania.

The carbon market, through mechanisms such as REDD+ and voluntary carbon credit schemes, enables landowners and communities to earn financial rewards for actions that reduce or capture greenhouse gas emissions, including tree planting, forest conservation and climatesmart agriculture.

Experts say that with the right support and implementation, carbon trading could provide a significant new source of income for rural communities, while simultaneously fighting deforestation and climate change.