The Trees for Global Benefits project will protect the forests of western Uganda, home to Chimpanzees, Blue Monkeys, Red-tailed Monkeys, and Olive Baboons. Credit: ECOTRUST
2024 brought many changes to Carbon Balanced. Among them, we welcomed a new project to the programme with our partner The Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST). Since partnering with ECOTRUST in 2021, WLT has helped support the Corridor Restoration Programme (CRP) that will protect and restore a known Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) habitat between the Bugoma, Wambabya and Bugambe forests in western Uganda. Now, with Carbon Balanced, we are delighted to also be supporting the Trees for Global Benefits project going forward into 2025.
This project is working in close partnership with local farmers to support reforestation of the Bugoma, Wambaya, and Bugambe forests. Credit: ECOTRUST
Established in 2003, Trees for Global Benefits is a project driven by the communities of the Albertine Rift area of Uganda, a stunning landscape of rivers, crater lakes, wide valleys, and montane forests. The project innovatively combines carbon sequestration with agroforestry to simultaneously address the global climate crisis while creating more reliable, sustainable, and fairer livelihoods for the people of the Albertine Rift.
Working with small family farms typically less than a hectare (2.5 acres) in size, Trees for Global Benefits supports farmers in converting to agroforestry activities including growing shade-loving crops and beekeeping, while essential maintenance of the trees provides ample timber, fruits, and firewood to lighten the pressure of deforestation in the nearby protected forests. The cover provided by the trees also connects habitats for wildlife to move throughout the area, all while absorbing carbon. The amount of carbon captured by these trees is calculated and sold as carbon credits on the voluntary carbon market, providing a reliable source of income for the farmers involved. The success of the project so far speaks for itself; having begun with 33 farmers, ECOTRUST now partners with more than 50,000, with over 2 million trees planted to date.
Working with small family farms typically less than a hectare (2.5 acres) in size, Trees for Global Benefits supports farmers in converting to agroforestry activities. Credit: ECOTRUST
The project is verified through Plan Vivo, ensuring that the environmental and social impacts are real, measurable, and sustainable. By linking local communities to global carbon markets, Trees for Global Benefits bridges the gap between conservation and economic opportunity, empowering farmers while contributing to global efforts to combat climate change. Trees for Global Benefits’ success is a testament to the power of collaborative approaches to environmental challenges, showing that it is possible to address global problems like climate change while improving the lives of those in rural communities.
