Eco-Green Development - Nigeria

Eco-Green Development is using a concept called “social forestry” to involve local communities in planting, managing and protecting one of the last remaining virgin mangrove tropical rainforests in Africa’s sub-Saharan region.

Fast facts:

Up to 2,500 women have directly benefitted from this activity;
Up to 250 young people have benefitted.

The problem

The adverse effects of climate change are being felt in Nigeria, especially when it comes to agriculture and food security; biodiversity and ecosystems; water resources; human health; human settlements and migration patterns; and energy, transport and industry. Women are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than men—primarily as they constitute the majority of the world’s poor and are more dependent on natural resources, have unequal access to resources and are not included in decision making processes.

The solution

This activity is sustainably managing forests in order to utilize land that is unsuitable for agriculture. Social forestry involves local communities in planting, managing and protecting forests on degraded land to boost economic, social and environmental development. The Women’s Climate Collaborative (WCC) has been established and encourages and promotes the professional advancement of women in climate and sustainability professions. In particular, the WCC will increase public awareness of social forestry and aims to increase participation.

Helping the planet

This activity is planting trees and sustainably managing forests in order to enhance the absorption of carbon from the atmosphere.

Helping people

Rural communities depend on forests for firewood, medicine, food, timber and extra income. Pressure from increased population and industrialization activities on the existing stands of trees will be reduced through social forestry as it provides an alternative source of firewood and other forest products.

Scaling Up

This activity will scale up by including more indigenous communities and indigenous women in social forestry. Indigenous people have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to climate change mitigation and adaptation. This activity can integrate their knowledge with existing knowledge to identify vulnerable areas and curb encroachments.