Ghana Calls for Global Framework to Unlock Forest Carbon Investment
Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Sulemana Yusif, has called for a coherent international framework for jurisdictional forest carbon credits to unlock large scale investment in forest protection.
Speaking during a panel discussion on forests and climate at the London Climate Action Week, the Deputy Minister said a trusted and predictable framework would strengthen investor confidence and increase demand for high integrity forest carbon credits.
He said Ghana’s forest and climate efforts had progressed from REDD+ programmes to advanced Article 6 mechanisms under the Paris Agreement, supported by improved monitoring systems, safeguards and benefit sharing arrangements.
“Our ambition is clear. In our updated Nationally Determined Contributions, Ghana has doubled the volume of emission reductions we are making available for Article 6 cooperation,” he said.
Mr Sulemana urged future Conference of the Parties presidencies to support the development of an international framework that would provide certainty for investors while helping forest countries attract the financing needed to protect their natural resources.
He cautioned that forest conservation efforts would continue to face funding challenges if carbon prices failed to reflect the actual cost of protecting and restoring forests.
“Forest countries cannot deliver high quality mitigation at scale if carbon prices remain disconnected from the true cost of protecting and restoring forests,” he said.
The London Climate Action Week is an annual event that brings together political leaders, businesses, investors and environmental organisations to discuss climate solutions and advance action ahead of major international climate negotiations.
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
