The African countries have been lagged behind in the development of Clean Development Mechanism
( CDM ) projects. The Kyoto Protocol currently does not include the utilization of the carbon sequestration and carbon emissions reduction resulting from deforestation. Regulations are being reviewed to include carbon emissions reduction trading in the field of forest conservation, forest management, reforestation and afforestation in support of sustainable rainforest managements.

The Congo Basin forest is the world’s second largest continuous block of tropical forest, covering 700000 square miles in six countries. Africa forests account for 16.8% of the global forest cover. Forests and woodlands occupy an estimated 650 million hectares (ha) or 21.8% of the land area in Africa. These account for 16.8% of the global forest cover. Northern Africa has the least forest cover while Central Africa has the densest cover.

 

Deforestation is the third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, climate change mitigation without contribution from forest sector will not be effective. Since deforestation is the third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, and the emissions are comparable to the total from US and China, there is an increasing awareness and recognition of the importance of reducing deforestation emissions.

Under a scheme called Reduced Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries (REDD), developing nations that conserve their forests will be rewarded with financial returns through carbon credit awards.  Efforts are underway to set up a system of international finance to meet this goal, as it is not possible to preserve the forests without economic planning projects for the forests, and not possible  too to prevent logging without offering economic alternatives.
 

The Nairobi Framework was set up with the specific target of helping developing countries, especially those in sub-Sahara Africa, to improve their level of participation in the Clean Development Mechanism.

The Bali Action Plan which provides a roadmap for the negotiation of a new regulatory framework for international action on climate change, recognizes the importance of reducing deforestation emissions and a system of international finance to meet this goal.

There are many projects that can generate potential Certified Emissions Reductions ( CER ): energy efficient charcoal production, hydropower, biodiesel, biogas, geothermal and solar related renewable energy generations, more efficient agro-processing in Africa.

The hydroelectric dam on the Congo River at Inga Falls (Georg Gerster/Comstock Inc)		More efficient agro-processing, like solar drying to reduce rotting and methane emission.		Fuel efficient stove