Welcome

Hello, and a warm welcome to Oddar Meanchey Quarterly's first edition! We have lots of exciting news for you, the most important being the approval of the projects REDD+ methodology by the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS).

A Quick Brief on OM CF REDD+

The Oddar Meanchey Community Forestry Reduced Emissions from Degradation and Deforestation (OM CF REDD+) project is a carbon offset initiative undertaken by the Cambodian ForestryAdministration (FA). The project is currently funded by the Clinton Climate Initiative and Pact. OM CF REDD+ will generate carbon credits by safeguarding 13 community forests in the northwest province of Oddar Meanchey, covering 64,318 hectares of forestland. The credits will be sold on the global voluntary market, with the majority of the net income returning to the participating communities to support the continued development of sustainable livelihoods.

REDD's Mosaic Methodology

On the 3rd December, 2010, Terra Global Capital (TGC) proudly announced that the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) had approved the first Mosaic REDD methodology after a dual validation process. This methodology was designed to support the OM CF REDD+ project. The VCS CEO added: "This approval is a milestone. It is the second VCS-approved methodology for crediting projects that reduce deforestation and the first to lay out robust carbon accounting rules for the range of activities needed to address mosaic deforestation." Click here to read the full report.

Equator Prize 2010

In mid September this year, Venerable. Bun Saluth, head of the Monks' Community Forestry (MCF) travelled to New York to receive the Equator Prize. The UNDP prize recognizes MCF's achievements in reducing poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The prize marks a significant milestone in MCFs efforts. The MCF site is currently one of the 13 CF sites under the OM CF REDD+ project. Click here to read the full report.

OM CF REDD+ in The Age

On the 4th December, 2010, The Age, one of Australia's biggest newspapers, published an article on the OM CF REDD+ project. The article underlined REDD's ability to assist local Monks in halting deforestation and degradation. The Age has a readership of almost 1 million people in the state of Victoria. Clike here to read the full report.

Community Forestry Legalization

Pact has worked closely with the ForestryAdministration and its local partners; Childrens Development Association (CDA) and Monk Community Forestry (MCF) to facilitate the legalization of CF sites involved in the REDD project. To date, 11 of the 13 community forest sites totaling 59,385 ha have been legalized, while two remaining CF sites (Rolus Thom CF and Phaav CF) have been approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries (MAFF). Asigning ceremony is planned in March.

MOU with SNR Denton

On the 16th December, 2010, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Forestry Administration, Pact and a Chicago-based law firm, SNR Denton was signed in order to enhance the development of an Emissions Reduction Purchase Agreement (ERPA) for Carbon Credits under the OM CF REDD+ project. SNR Denton is an International law firm that will provide pro-bono legal services to the FAand Pact in drafting an ERPAto be used by the Cambodian Government.

Brief Highlights:
Birdlife International completed a 30-day field study at Sorng Rokavorn, Prey Srong, Andong Bor,

Romdoul Veasna and Sangkrous Preychheu community forestry areas. This was the first extensive scientific assessment of biodiversity ever conducted in the area. Some of the important HCV (High Conservation Value) findings include the Great Slaty Woodpecker (Mulleripicus pulverulentus), the Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus) and the Greater Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius). Pact is currently finalizing a social assessment which provides local community members with an important opportunity to provide input into the project design document (PDD) that is currently being finalized. As part of the assessment, between September and October 2010, 294 households were surveyed by CDAand Pact staff, while13 villages were involved in a series of participatory rural appraisals whereby CF participants provided critical information on the drivers of deforestation within their CFs. If you do not wish to receive the Oddar Meanchey Quarterly, please click on the "Unsubscribe" link below.

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