Discussion Abstract:

Smart project models can combine a number of strategic national, corporate and business driving forces to converge to the point of enabling projects with readily available cash for mitigation and adaptation especially in declining forest areas. This approach is based on the understanding of the needs, capabilities and responsibilities of government, industry and business.

The Green Ticket (TGT) is a non-profit organisation that aims to mobilise finance for mitigation and adaptation through restoration and forest rehabilitation alongside the socio-bio-economic mechanisms such as agroforestry and sustainable natural resource utilisation. TGT succeeded in receiving large sums of money in joint Corporate Social Investment ventures with e.g. national banks, municipalities (local government) and smaller business enterprises for projects aimed at uplifting the poor while restoring valuable forests in an area known for its historic decimation of natural forests.

In other (smaller) projects TGT received funding by combining the needs of industrial partners (e.g. tyre manufacturer) with the needs of a small business (herbal tea producer) and a number of local community micro-businesses (tree growers and subsistence nurseries) focussed on mitigation and adaptation.

These finance opportunities were enabled by brokering the component needs of role players and understanding their capabilities (finance, infrastructure and training), their responsibilities (environmental and social) and their requirements (tax rebates, compliance and balance score card points). TGT was successful in brokering these component needs into multi-partner projects that enable multiple-bottom line sustainable reforestation projects. The Green Ticket aims to develop green-collar jobs, adaptation knowledge and conservation economies related to reforestation and the mitigation of climate change.

Read more on the Forest Day website: www.forestsclimatechange.org/events/forest-day/forest-day-5/issues-marketplace/theme-3financing-opportunities-and-issues-for-mitigation-and-adaptation.html