Mozambique has become the first country to receive payments from a World Bank trust fund for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation—commonly known as REDD+.The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) paid Mozambique $6.4 million for having reduced 1.28 million tons of carbon emissions since 2019. The payment is the first of four under the country’s Emission Reduction Payment Agreement (ERPA) with the FCPF that could unlock up to $50 million for reducing up to 10 million tons of C02 emissions in Mozambique’s Zambézia Province by the end of 2024.“Preventing deforestation and increasing efforts to restore those that have already been damaged are the twin actions essential to ensuring a safer, climate-resilient and more prosperous future for local communities and the country as a whole,” said Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough, World Bank country director for Mozambique. “These efforts are costly and payment agreements such as these can be a game changer as they provide much-needed finances to improve sustainable forest management and resilience.”With 34 million ha of natural forests, covering 43% of the country, forests are an important contributor to the country’s economy and a source of employment, income, and livelihoods in Mozambique’s rural areas. These forests, however, have been severely degraded over the years.
