The Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts of the Implementation of Carbon Sequestration in Humbo Woreda,SNNPR, Ethiopia

Abstract

Carbon sequestration through forestry can help in the mitigation of global warming. For Africa, carbonsequestration also represents an opportunity to fund sustainable through financial inflows. However, with a lowshare of global carbon trade, there are strong concerns that African countries are losing out this valuableopportunity. Markets for environmental services have been growing in recent years wherein more and morepeople are willing to pay for benefits such as natural beauty, clean water, biodiversity etc. Carbon sequestrationconstitutes an important segment of this market. The study focused on the socio-economic and environmentalimpacts of carbon project implemented in Humbo district SNNPR, Ethiopia. The analysis subsequentlyexamined the benefits that are envisaged from the project and other related issues based on the focus of the study.Quantitative and qualitative methods of research have been applied throughout the investigation. Accordingly,observation, in depth interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires were used to gather information.The observed status of carbon project tree species and the results from socio economic results are promising toenhance local livelihoods. It also enhances access to wide varieties of environmental goods and services to localcommunities. Since the local communities have had poorly developed infrastructure, limited options forlivelihoods and dependence on subsistence agriculture, the Carbon Project may prove to be beneficial to the localcommunity by providing regular source of income in the form of carbon payments.