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Carbon Canopy

Reforestation, Afforestation and Carbon Market

Project brief:

1. Context and Rationale

Deforestation in Africa is a major environmental challenge, with profound consequences for the climate, biodiversity, and local communities. Commercial logging, forest conversion for slash-and-burn agriculture, and reliance on firewood as a primary energy source are the main drivers of forest degradation. To address this pressing issue, the ESI NGO is launching a large-scale reforestation and afforestation initiative aimed at preserving natural forests and enhancing carbon sequestration.

2. Project Objectives

Combat deforestation and forest degradation.
Promote sustainable reforestation models involving local communities.
Increase carbon sequestration capacity through fast-growing tree species.
Develop sustainable alternatives to firewood, such as green charcoal and biomass briquettes.
Generate carbon credits to ensure long-term project financing.

3. Core Concept

The project is centered around planting a specific hybrid tree species, referred to as FloraNova This tree, developed through selective cross-pollination, exhibits exceptional growth rates and a high capacity for CO₂ absorption. It thrives in diverse environmental conditions, including arid and high-altitude regions.

Key Characteristics of the FloraNova Tree

Rapid Growth: Reaches up to 32 feet (10 m) in 2 years and 60 feet (18 m) in 7 years.
High Carbon Sequestration Potential: Captures 5.2 tons of CO₂ per tree over a 10-year period.
Multiple Applications: Biomass production, timber, cellulosic ethanol, agroforestry, and reforestation.
Self-Regeneration: New shoots emerge from the stump after harvesting, ensuring sustainable replanting.

4. Project Phases and Upcoming Milestones

Current Status: Pre-feasability studiy completed.
Concept Finalization: Expected completion by April 2025.

Next Steps:

Full Feasibility study.
Fundraising and financial structuring.
Selection of pilot sites and implementation phase

5. Pilot Regions and Countries

The project will be implemented across multiple regions, with pilot countries selected based on ecological suitability and strategic impact:

East Africa: Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, Burundi.
Southern Africa: Zambia, Namibia, Malawi.
Central Africa: Chad, Republic of the Congo.
Europe: The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France.

6. Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations

ESI is developing this initiative in collaboration with universities and research institutions in Estonia; Lithuania and Makerere university in Ouganda leveraging their expertise in afforestation, carbon sequestration, and sustainable forest management.

7. Implementation Strategy

Tree Planting: Pilot phase covering 400 hectares, with a planned expansion to 5,000 hectares.

Agroforestry Integration: Enhancing agricultural yields through intercropping while providing additional income streams for local farmers.

Biomass Utilization: Sustainable production of green charcoal and development of a renewable biomass industry. Carbon Market Monetization: Selling Verified Emission Reductions (VERs) on the voluntary carbon market.

8. Expected Impact

Carbon Sequestration: 43.75 million tons of CO₂ across 5,000 hectares. Projected Carbon Credit

Revenue: Very good Incom over 10 years.

Socioeconomic Benefits: Job creation, enhanced livelihoods for local communities, and economic resilience through sustainable forestry.

Biodiversity Conservation: Reduced pressure on natural forests, contributing to ecosystem preservation.

9. Conclusion

The ESI’s project of reforestation and carbon sequestration initiative offers an innovative and scalable solution to pressing environmental challenges. By deploying FloraNova, a high- value ecological and economic tree species, this project will make a substantial contribution to global climate action while fostering sustainable development and resilience among local populations.

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