•The Mikoko Pamoja community based group has a 117-acre mangrove forest plantation that captures 2500 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually.
•Project coordinator Rahma Kivugo said when the project started it earned sh. 1.5 million through sale of carbon credit but the earning have now raised to Sh. 3 million.
•The carbon credits are sold to international emitters of carbon dioxide in order to off-set the huge amount of carbon they release into the atmosphere.
Residents in Gazi bay and Makongeni villages in Kwale South are reaping big from mangrove conservation.
The Mikoko Pamoja community-based organisation has managed to restore the 117-acres mangrove plantation and raked in Sh3 million from the sale of carbon credit this year.
Besides helping to fight climate change, the restoration and enriching of the mangrove ecosystem helps fight poverty by generating new income avenues.
Revenue from carbon credits has not only enhanced conservation works but also helps in the initiation of development programmes like provision of clean water, improved health care, sanitation, education and infrastructure.
Project coordinator, Rahma Kivugo, said since the initiative was launched in 2013, the proceeds from carbon credits has doubled annually.
“It is good to know that when we started, we used to receive less amount of money. In our first year we were able to generate Sh1.5 million,” he said.
Kivugo said the activities of her group enables them to impound about 2,500 tons of carbon dioxide every year.
Scientific data says that mangrove absorb 10 times more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than other terrestrial trees.
“We channel our proceeds back for conservation efforts and implementation of sustainable community projects,” she said.
She said the mangrove project has been successful due to support from the local community and high level commitment toward maintenance of healthy mangrove ecosystem.
“Our carbon credits are sold in the voluntary carbon market. We have two types of markets—the compliance market; which is more of a large scale market and the voluntary market; which we engage in as Mikoko Pamoja," Kivugo said.
“The difference is that the voluntary market allows for negotiations on price compared to the compliance market whose prices are fixed."
Kivugo said the Association for Coastal Ecosystem Services domiciled in Scotland co-ordinates the carbon off-setting between Mikoko Pamoja and the international carbon buying entities.
ACES also assures accreditation with Plan VIVO, she added.
“ACES helps us in various activities like negotiating with would be buyers and holding an independent account for us before transferring the money to us,” Kivugo said.
She said the buyers are mostly carbon dioxide emitters who are keen to off-set the carbon from the atmosphere through sequestering.
“The carbon is calculated in terms of tons. In our pricing, one ton of carbon is off-set at between $12 -$15(Sh1200-Sh1500). The buyers then pay for the carbon they have emitted and we absorb it for them. It is basically an exchange,” she said.
A principal scientist on mangrove ecosystem at Gazi Bay Kipkoririr Lagat, said his organisation is working with Mikoko Pamoja to restore mangrove forests.
“Carbon credits is a system of reducing carbon dioxide through off-setting where emitters of carbon dioxide can capture the carbon. They support reforestation and conservation because trees and forests,” he said.
Lagat said a company like Kenya Airways emits carbon dioxide through flying of aircrafts.
“They can off-set the carbon by supporting the Mikoko Pamoja. In the 100 acres they are conserving, Mikoko Pamoja are able to capture about 3,000 tons of carbon per year.
“Kenya Airways could buy about 200 tons of the captured carbon and help in conservation activities,” he said.
He said the project was also helping in restoring breeding areas for fish and act as wind breakers.