Reforestation projects in Africa are increasing as climate change mitigation efforts are seeking positive impacts on people and the planet. A high-impact climate finance company Aspiration announced a $21 million investment in sustainable agroforestry projects through Trees for the Future (TREES) – a non-profit organization training farmers in sustainable agriculture across sub-Saharan Africa.
The partnership involves TREES providing support and training to 15,000 farmers in and around Lake Victoria Watershed in western Kenya to plant 87 million trees. The initiatives will effectively create 15,000 hectares of regenerative agroforestry land. They are planned to generate 4.13 million verified carbon units (VCUs) over 20 years.
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These sustainable agriculture practices will also help farmers adapt to climate change and grow their crops more productively. The profits from the sale of carbon credits will be allocated between Aspiration, TREES and the farmers involved in the projects.
Farmers will be thought how to restore the health and productivity of their land, improve the soil and thus increase biodiversity, dietary diversity and income. According to Aspiration, the project is expected to help farmers grow and sell from an average of two crops to up to an average of 24 crops.
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“Part of our due diligence in assessing the carbon project partners we work with is a shared commitment to the pressing issue of deforestation and its impact on the environment, communities and wildlife… We are proud to partner with Trees for the Future, a proven leader in promoting reforestation and sustainable agriculture,” said Olivia Albrecht, CEO of Aspiration.
According to Trees for the Future Executive Director Tim McLellan, the partnership with Aspiration is key to not only combating climate change, but also improving the lives of farmers and communities in Kenya.
