Firm in efforts to fight climate change

By Patrick Kibet

In an effort to reduce the effects of climate change, Kagoech Foundation Trust has entered into an agreement with Carbon Asset to develop carbon projects.

According to Mr Ochieng Dimba, the executive director, Kagoech Foundation Trust, the agreement will enable the foundation to unlock the carbon assets of its projects on tree planting, forest conservation and small-holder woodlots for farmers.

"Kagoech will implement plan Vivo projects for farmers to get financing to acquire seedlings and other farm inputs," said Ochieng.

Plan Vivo is an offset project method for land-use projects with a focus on promoting sustainable development and improving rural livelihoods and ecosystems.

Under the agreement, Carbon Asset will value the carbon credits from various projects from Kagoech Foundation Trust. The foundation will register participating farmers, coordinate trainings and implementation and monitoring of these projects.

Mr Tsuma Charo, the chief executive officer Carbon Asset, said the agreement would allow farmers to protect community forests, enrich their farms for better yields and protection of large forests, which will eventually reduce the impact of climate change.

Under the Kyoto Protocol carbon trading was introduced to bridge the gap between developed and industrialised countries responsible for global emissions of green house gases. Carbon Asset is involved locally in soliciting for potential carbon credit by partnering with organisations like Kagoech Foundation Trust.

Livelihoods

Protection and conservation of forests will be qualified for carbon credits.

At the same time, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Kagoech Foundation Trust to provide land in Elgeyo Marakwet for its campaign, ‘tree is life’.

Mr Oscar Simanto, KFS senior assistant director, said the organisation has partnered with Kagoech Foundation Trust to improve livelihoods through various projects being implemented by the foundation.

Kagoech Foundation Trust has also signed an agreement with Ovol Kreationz limited.