Climate Change Mitigation

Climate change is threatening our landscapes’ integrity and survival of many of the species which we are working to conserve. Although planning for climate change adaptation is essential to increase our landscapes resistance in face of this threat, WCS has also the opportunity to contribute in climate change mitigation through activities to reduce green house gases emission and increase carbon sinks in our landscapes. The corner stone of climate change mitigation strategyis reducing emissions for deforestation and degradation (REDD). Our REDD approach not only contributes to climate change mitigation but also to local livelihood sand biodiversity conservation. Considering deforestation as the principal source of green house gases emissions- representing 15-17% of green house emissions, more than transportation sector (IPCC 2007)- REDD is an important part of the mitigation solution to global climate change. On the other hand hasthe potential to generate new sustainable financial sources to our landscapes conservation work. In addition to REDD, WCS is exploring other activities to increase carbon sinks in our landscapes, and at the same time achieve our conservation objectives such as reforestation and soil retention. It is by recognizing climate change importance, and as direct result of it, that in challenges section of WCS Strategic Plan (2007) the Climate Change Mitigation Team was created.

STAND FOR WILDLIFE