Training Workshop on “GHG Inventory Preparation for Forestry”

From 05-08 November 2012, the Forestry Administration (FA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry (MAFF) and the General Department of Administration for Nature Conservation and Protection (GDANCP) of Ministry of Environment (MOE) under the Cambodia UN-REDD Programme organized the training workshop the on “GHG Inventory Preparation for Forestry” in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The workshop aims to build the capacity on GHG inventory under the UNFCCC guidelines of relevant stakeholders from government agencies (MAFF, MoE, and Ministry of Land Management), academic institutions (Royal University of Agriculture, Royal University of Phnom Penh and Preak Leap National School of Agriculture and non-governmental organizations (JICA, FFI and CI). The concepts of GHG inventory under the UNFCCC and the GHG inventory software were presented to the participants in the workshop. In addition, the status of the national forest inventory and biomass assessment which is the important part for Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) for the Cambodia UN-REDD Programme were also discussed in the workshop. 

Group Photo

Oddar Meanchey Quarterly: The REDD+ Update (April-June 2012)

Biomass Plot Re-measurement for Credit Verification Completed

Plot re-measurement is a key part of Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) and the changes in biomass can be assessed to determine the number of credits earned since the project inception. Some 100 biomass plots have been re-measured with the collaboration of local Forestry Administration (FA) officers, Children Development Association (CDA) staff and Community Forestry (CF) members. By the end of May, 100 biomass plots in the project area were re-measured.

CF members use a compass to lay out a forest biomass plot in Sorng Rokavorn CF

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Planning for Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR)

The OM CF REDD+ project requires additional data and information from the community level in order to establish a solid baseline by which the impact of project interventions can be measured. Information obtained will also help to further define the project strategies.In June, Pact’s team with the collaboration of local FA officers and CDA staff, started to conduct PRAs in all 13 communities. The PRA covers a range of topics including wealth ranking, analysis of drivers of deforestation, trends in NTFPs, and local timber production. Under the verification requirements, the project team also needs to conduct planning for areas designated for Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR). In total approximately 5,000 hectares in the project area will be treated under ANR, which includes pruning, thinning, and enrichment planting. ANR will allow the project to increase its earnings of carbon credits through restoration of degraded areas.

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) in Ratanak Ruka CF

Gender Assessment of the OM CF REDD+ Project

With financial support from the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI) of Japan, Pact with the technical support from Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture & Natural Resource Management (WOCAN) has completed a Gender and REDD+ Assessment for OM CF REDD+. The report will be available shortly and a workshop to disseminate the results of the study will be held in late July.

Focus group discussion on gender issues in Phaav CF

Click here to view the full version of the Oddar Meanchey Quarterly: The REDD+ Update (April - June 2012)

Oddar Meanchey Quarterly: The REDD+ Update (January-March 2012)

Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey Community Forestry REDD+ (OM CF REDD+) demonstration project is very close to validation under Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate Community and Biodiversity (CCB) standards. At the same time, with support from UNDP, we are verifying credits earned since the project start date in February 2008.

Biomass Plot Re-measurement for Credit Verification

The objective of re-measuring plots is to assess changes in biomass since the project start and to determine the number of credits earned. Plot re-measurement is a key part of Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV), and provides evidence of the project's impact. Some 100 biomass plots are currently being re-measured with the collaboration of local Forestry Administration (FA) officers, Children Development Association (CDA) staff and Community Forestry (CF) members. By the end of March, 42 biomass plots in CFs were re-measured.

Rolling Out a New Patrol Monitoring System

The OM CF REDD+ project requires a comprehensive Monitoring Reporting & Verification (MRV) system. Between September and December 2011, Pact piloted Frontline SMS in three CFs (See the report). The system allows patrol leaders to send summaries by SMS to a hub computer, which is a more efficient way of communicating data. The data is compiled into a monthly feedback report and distributed among stakeholders so that progress in patrolling activities can be tracked over time. In March, the system was extended to the remaining 10 CFs.

Click here to view the full version of the Oddar Meanchey Quarterly: The REDD+ Update (January-March 2012)

Oddar Meanchey Quarterly: The REDD+ Update (September-December 2011)

Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey Community Forestry REDD+ (OM CF REDD+) project is on the verge of completing Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate Community and Biodiversity (CCB) validation. All of the stakeholders involved are excited for Cambodia's first REDD+ project to reach this important milestone, which signals the start of carbon marketing activities. Please see the update below on some of the highlights over the last quarter.

Community Benefit Sharing Consultation Meeting in OM CF REDD+ Project

On 14 October 2011, Pact and the Forestry Administration (FA) with support from the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) conducted a 1-day community consultation on project benefit sharing in Oddar Meanchey. The draft project budget was presented by Pact's Senior Carbon Officer and stakeholders were given a chance to make comments, which were subsequently integrated into the revised version.

Progress Towards OM CF REDD+ Project Validation

Following the validation visit in August by the German contractor Tuv Sud, the project partners received a list of 10 Corrective Action Requests (CARs) and 81 Clarification Requests (CRs) in September. Pact, the FA, and Terra Global Capital submitted a response to most of these to Tuv Sud. The next submission on the CARs and CRs will take place in early 2012 and the validation is expected shortly thereafter.

OM CF REDD+ Project Marketing

The OM CF REDD+ is currently seeking investors. TGC has distributed an Indications Sheet by email to a long list of potential investors and has also passed out the sheet at the COP 17 in Durban. Interested investors should write to: sales@terraglobalcapital.com. Please help us to spread the word.

Click here to view the full version of the Oddar Meanchey Quarterly: The REDD+ Update (September-December 2011)