The Makira REDD+ Project

The Makira Park is one of the largest remaining rainforests in Madagascar and recognized as one of the top 5 biodiversity hotspots left in the world.

Makira Carbon Credit Buyers

Working Together to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

A Project of Global Significance

The Makira REDD+ project is the largest carbon emission reduction program in Madagascar’s land use sector and has played a critical role in demonstrating REDD+ successes in conserving high biodiversity value landscapes. Experiences from the implementation of the Makira REDD+ project have also provided important learning outcomes informing the design of Madagascar’s National REDD+ Program, expected to launch in 2019, as part of the country’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions under the Paris Climate Agreement.

About the Project Area

38 million tons of CO2-e emissions avoided over the next 30 years.
This is equivalent to annual emissions from:
- 6.4 million passenger vehicles
- 3.2 million homes
- Approximately 7 coal fired power plants
372,000 hectares of protected dense primary forest
The park is surrounded by 73 small community managed forests (350,000 hectares total)
90,000 people live in the project area across 120 villages
WCS works with 73 community forest management associations around the park
99% of the local population lives on less than $1.25/day
The average annual household income is $319
100% of the local population depends on natural resources for their daily survival

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Major Threats to Makira

SLASH AND BURN AGRICULTURE

Farmers living in the Makira forest use slash and burn agriculture to clear forested lands for rainfed rice farming. These lands are typically then abandoned after one to two years as soils are depleted and farmers look for new forest areas to clear.

CLEARING PASTURES FOR GRAZING

In the western region of Makira, farmers who raise cattle often burn grasslands and forest edges before the rainy season to ensure regeneration of pasture lands. This custom degrades the boundaries of intact forest causing deforestation and habitat loss.

ILLEGAL LOGGING

Rapid population growth and limited work opportunities in the area make illegal logging for high value rosewood and ebony very attractive for local communities. Wood harvesting for fuel is also common for households where few energy and cooking alternatives are available.

Illegal Mining

Small-scale illegal mining for quartz and precious stones is also on the rise, specifically on the southern border of Makira. These mining operations uproot trees destroying small forest fragments in and around the park.

Addressing the Key Drivers of Biodiversity Loss
with Carbon Revenues

Conservation and Climate

Protected area management, enforcement, and monitoring using interdisciplinary tools and technologies to generate actionable data informing WCS management approaches in the park.

Livelihoods

Increasing the ecological sustainability of agricultural livelihoods by developing infrastructure, improving local watershed management, and providing training to local communities on improved farming techniques.

Market Development

Diversifying income streams for local communities through the development of local ecotourism industries, increasing local capacity to produce high value cash crops including cacao, raffia, vanilla, and cloves, and creating linkages with local markets.

Health

Bringing medical resources to isolated rural communities using mobile facilities and integrated health and nutrition programs, training local youth in reproductive health and balanced nutrition, and demonstrating linkages with natural landscape conservation.

Education

Engaging the next generation in environmental education and reducing biodiversity loss from future homesteading. WCS education initiatives support environmental education with schools in Makira through environmental learning using internet technology.

Revenues from Carbon are Helping Achieve Important Outcomes in the Field

6,000 hectares of avoided deforestation
400 hectares of degraded forest land restored
1.7million tons of CO2-e emission avoided since 2005
90% of carbon revenues directed toward Malagasy stakeholders
101% increase in local household incomes
73 community ecological monitoring units established
500 park patrols carried out annually
6,000 peoples given access to health services

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