Executive Summary
Land degradation and climate change are deeply interconnected challenges threatening food security, livelihoods, biodiversity, and ecosystem services across the globe. Millions of hectares of land are degraded due to deforestation, unsustainable farming practices, overgrazing, soil erosion, and climate-induced stresses. These impacts are most severe for rural and indigenous communities who depend directly on land and natural resources for their livelihoods.
The proposed project, Community-Led Land Restoration and Carbon Farming, aims to restore degraded landscapes while generating climate mitigation and livelihood benefits through community-driven restoration and carbon-smart land management practices. By empowering local communities to implement agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, soil carbon enhancement, and ecosystem restoration, the project will improve land productivity, sequester carbon, enhance biodiversity, and create sustainable income opportunities.
Implemented over a three-year period, the project integrates ecological restoration with community governance, climate finance readiness, and inclusive livelihood development. It aligns with SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), and contributes to global climate and land restoration commitments.
Background and Context
Land degradation affects over one-third of the world’s land surface, undermining agricultural productivity and ecosystem resilience. Climate change accelerates degradation through increased droughts, floods, heat stress, and desertification. At the same time, degraded lands represent a significant opportunity for climate mitigation through carbon sequestration in soils and biomass.
Carbon farming refers to land management practices that increase carbon storage in soils and vegetation while delivering co-benefits such as improved soil fertility, water retention, and biodiversity. When implemented through community-led approaches, carbon farming can enhance local ownership, equity, and sustainability.
Despite growing interest in land restoration and carbon markets, many community-level initiatives face barriers related to technical capacity, finance, land tenure, and access to carbon measurement and verification systems. This project addresses these gaps by combining technical support, community institutions, and enabling partnerships.
Problem Statement
Target communities face multiple, interconnected challenges:
- Extensive land degradation and declining soil fertility
- Reduced agricultural productivity and livelihood insecurity
- Limited access to restoration finance and carbon markets
- Weak community capacity for sustainable land governance
- Exclusion of women and marginalized groups from land-related decision-making
Without integrated and inclusive interventions, degradation will continue to undermine climate resilience, food systems, and rural development.
Project Goal and Objectives
Overall Goal
To restore degraded land and enhance climate resilience and livelihoods through community-led land restoration and carbon farming.
Specific Objectives
- Restore degraded landscapes using agroecological and nature-based solutions.
- Increase carbon sequestration through soil and biomass management practices.
- Strengthen community governance and inclusive land management institutions.
- Improve livelihoods and income opportunities linked to restoration and carbon finance.
Target Beneficiaries
- Smallholder farmers and pastoralists
- Indigenous and forest-dependent communities
- Women and youth engaged in land-based livelihoods
- Community-based organizations and land user groups
- Local governments and extension services
Priority will be given to climate-vulnerable and degraded landscapes.
Project Components and Activities
- Component 1: Community Mobilization and Participatory Planning
- Component 2: Land Restoration and Agroforestry Practices
- Establishment of agroforestry systems using native and multipurpose tree species
- Assisted natural regeneration and reforestation of degraded areas
- Silvopastoral systems and rangeland restoration
- Soil erosion control and watershed management measures
- Component 3: Carbon Farming and Regenerative Agriculture
- Adoption of soil carbon-enhancing practices such as cover cropping, mulching, and reduced tillage
- Composting, biochar application, and organic soil amendments
- Integration of crop–livestock systems for nutrient cycling
- Training on climate-smart and regenerative farming techniques
- Component 4: Livelihoods, Incentives, and Carbon Finance Readiness
- Development of restoration-linked livelihood options (nurseries, seed banks, NTFPs)
- Capacity building on carbon measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV)
- Support for community access to carbon markets and results-based finance
- Linkages with public incentives, PES schemes, and climate funds
- Component 5: Knowledge Sharing, Policy Engagement, and Partnerships
- Documentation of best practices and community learning exchanges
- Collaboration with research institutions and technical partners
- Engagement with local and national authorities on land and climate policies
- Advocacy for community rights and tenure security
Implementation Strategy
The project will adopt a landscape-based and participatory approach. Initial baseline assessments will guide restoration planning and carbon potential estimation. Activities will be implemented through partnerships with local NGOs, community institutions, government agencies, and technical experts.
Adaptive management will be applied to respond to ecological and social feedback. Gender equality, social inclusion, and respect for indigenous knowledge will be mainstreamed throughout implementation.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
Key indicators will include:
- Area of land restored and managed sustainably
- Changes in soil organic carbon and biomass carbon stocks
- Adoption rates of regenerative and carbon farming practices
- Livelihood and income improvements among participating households
- Participation and leadership of women and marginalized groups
Remote sensing, field measurements, and community monitoring will support MEL.
Expected Outcomes and Impact
- Restored and more productive landscapes
- Increased carbon sequestration and climate mitigation benefits
- Improved soil health, water retention, and biodiversity
- Enhanced and diversified livelihoods for rural communities
- Strengthened community institutions and land governance
Sustainability and Scalability
Sustainability will be ensured through strong community ownership, integration with local institutions, and long-term incentive mechanisms such as carbon finance and ecosystem service payments. Scalable models and toolkits will support replication across regions.
Alignment with Global and National Frameworks
The project aligns with SDGs 1, 2, 13, and 15, the Paris Agreement, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and national land degradation neutrality and climate strategies.
Conclusion
Community-Led Land Restoration and Carbon Farming offers a holistic and inclusive solution to land degradation and climate change. By placing communities at the center of restoration and carbon initiatives, the project will deliver lasting environmental, social, and economic benefits while contributing to global climate and sustainability goals.
