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Project name: Rwanda riparian restoration project
Location: Riparian buffer zones, Rwanda
Technology: AFOLU-ARR*, Restoration, Carbon Removal
Standard: Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)
Estimated tonnes of CO2 removal: ~530,000 over the project’s lifetime
Impact highlights: Stabilising soils and water bodies, Improving livelihoods of smallholder farmers
AFOLU-ARR: The project type is Agriculture Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) and the type of activity is Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR).
Why Rwanda?
Rwanda is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa and is highly dependent on rural agricultural activities for subsistence. The increasing need for agricultural land, food, medicine, charcoal, and timber became one of the main drivers of deforestation in the country. The clearing and degradation of forested areas and woodlands in this rainy, mountainous country has led to severe consequences such as soil erosion, degradation, and increasing pollution of rivers and streams. This in turn impairs agricultural production, particularly affecting small subsistence farmers.
To tackle these challenges, this project is restoring key watershed areas in the region. This project focuses on planting 1,000 km (the distance of Munich to Rome) of riparian buffer zones with select species of giant clumping bamboo, collaborating closely with local partners in Rwanda.
Why riparian buffer zones?
Rwanda is a densely populated country with a high intensity of agricultural land use and hilly terrain, and the space for conservation activities is limited. This project is occurring on narrow strips of land classified as riparian buffer zones which were designated as state lands in 2010. The use of these fragile areas is restricted to conservation by law. The planting areas have been selected in collaboration with the Rwanda Water Resources Board. This is the responsible government body that is responsible for restoring degraded areas, preventing further land erosion, and improving water quality.
Impact
Supporting the community
This project helps reduce poverty by providing livelihoods and job opportunities. It contributes to improving the yields of small-scale farmers as the loss of topsoil is controlled and riverbank flooding is minimized by the stabilizing effects of the planted bamboo. This project aims to create about 500 local jobs. By the end of 2022, this project created 331 jobs, with about 50% of employees being women. In addition to creating jobs, we aim to set up training for regenerative farmers and upskill local youths. Long-term and secure employment allows for additional funds to flow into communities where few opportunities existed previously. The project also creates secondary opportunities by locally sourcing goods and services to run its operations.
Restoring soil and avoiding erosion
The bamboo species planted have strong, compact root structures that quickly bind soils, making them highly effective at controlling soil erosion, re-generating the soil microbiome, and increasing soil fertility and soil organic carbon (SOC). The high soil organic carbon, in turn, contributes to significant soil moisture retention that also buffers the surrounding natural habitats against the stochastic drought effect.
Improving water quality
The extremely dense clumping pattern of the selected bamboo species makes them ideal for riparian planting. Trial pilot plantings have proven the suitability of the applied species to the specific conditions of the project area. One of the main purposes and benefits of bamboo plantings is binding soils to reduce erosion, flooding, and water siltation in the rivers while rehabilitating the watershed. The improved water quality benefits local communities and farmers.
Climate action
The bamboo species selected in this project have high capacities for carbon sequestration, thus the project offers an efficient and economical way of generating carbon removals. A newly planted bamboo plant can sequester approximately 2 tons of carbon dioxide in just 10 years. In comparison, a typical hardwood tree can sequester approximately 1 ton of carbon dioxide in 40 years. Approximately 20%-30% of bamboo biomass and associated carbon storage is generated in its root system.
To ensure the highest standards of impact and project progress, independent third-party verifiers will closely monitor and evaluate all the aforementioned impacts. In addition, our team of technology and project experts conduct regular site visits, reaffirming our commitment to maintaining exceptional project quality.