1. Status of Forest Carbon in Cross River State The Journey so far Odigha odigha Chairman Cross River State Forestry Commission, Nigeria

2. Nigeria: our forest, our biodiversity Nigeria has unique forests with endemic species found nowhere else on earth but 90 percent of Nigeria’s rainforests has been lost. Over 50% of Nigeria’s remaining Tropical High Forest is in Cross River State. Gorilla gorilla deihl (Cross River Gorilla)

3. Cross River State This is part of the “Gulf of Guinea” forests which starts east of Cross River and a global biodiversity hotspot. 75% of Nigeria’s endangered tree species are only found in Cross River State

4. Our Rich Fauna We have 22 primate species including endemics like Cross River Gorilla, Drills and Preuss Guenon monkeys The studies of birds, butterflies, plants, reptiles and amphibians indicates similar high levels of richness

5. Nevertheless our Forests are Threatened Nigeria’s population is over 140 million We have one of the highest deforestation rates globally due to: illegal logging, clearance for farming, wood insecurity, uncontrolled logging, harmful agricultural practices, biodiversity loss and fuel wood harvesting.

6. How We Have Responded Our political Will Held a Stakeholders Summit on the Environment in June 2008 Put in place a two year logging moratorium Established and supported the anti-logging task force. To date about a million US dollars has been Committed to this cause. Far reaching reforms in the Cross River State Forestry Commission

7. Our Commitment – Task Force on Anti – Deforestation to enforce ban (about 150 million naira committed to this project) – To plant 5million indigenous trees species annually – Development of nurseries in progress across the state

8.  In ten (10) years set 1 million ha of forest for climate change friendly activities  Pursue Carbon concessions and attract Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES/REDD)  Develop Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs)  Promote sustainable tree crops cultivation  Intensify Ecotourism development  Add value to our forest products Readiness Preparation

9. Establishment of REDD Conduct federal /state legal and institutional review for REDD initiatives Development of REDD strategy : Engage consultants ( John Mason & Yadvinder Malhi) for a national scoping study to determine the state/Nation’s carbon stock and sequestration potential (three pilot site for REDD identified) POSITIONING CRS/NIGERIA TO ACCESS REDD

10. Infrastructure the IBM team in Forestry Commission: strengthening institutions for the Establishment of baseline for effective carbon accounting the Forest for life Campaigns : Awareness creation on the new reforms among stakeholders Formations of technical, awareness and legal subcommittees for REDD

11. Goal of the Working Committee on REDD Conduct federal /state legal and institutional review for REDD initiatives Catalyze federal level engagement on REDD Readiness process with international institutions Build technical capacity and community engagement

12. REDD; steps taken so far as led by CRS Preliminary Scooping studies of forest site for a REDD pilot: Tunde Morakinyo and John Mason investigated PES potential of CRS. Early impressions indicate the PES potential of the state to be considerable. The Katoomba meeting 2009: The state Governor’s presentation opened up opportunities for Nigeria to make application to the UN-REDD and the World Bank Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). Establishment of the Climate change unit John Mason & Yadvinder Malhi carried out identification of baseline and methodological approaches for carbon stock estimation at 3 pilot sites 12

13. ACHIEVEMENTS RECORDED BY CROSS RIVER STATE AT COP15 Formal admittance of H.E into the Governor’s Climate and Forest Task Force on 15 th Dec, 2009 Attendance at the Avoided Deforestation Partners Forum

14. Current Situation 14 1.Nigeria’s application to UN-REDD and World Bank Forest Carbon and Partnership Facility (FCPF) Nigeria given the Observer’s status at the UN-REDD and attended the 4 th Advisory board meeting held in Nairobi, March 2010. CRS attended as the managers of the pilot along with the national focal person on REDD and the UNDP officer from Abuja Office. National working group set to design a REDD Readiness programme for Nigeria. Nigeria also approached World Bank for membership into the FCPF. We have been granted Observer status and Nigeria was also invited to the partnership meeting of FCPF in Gabon March 2010. The national focal person represented the country.. The State forest carbon team operate from the forestry commission 2. National organization for REDD Readiness National REDD Steering Committee  representatives from Government (3 level of Govt), private sector, civil society, research community. We are here to talk about this.

15. LAC forest program: FCPF Within 10 years, Cross River State will have 1 million hectares of forest lands managed for climate change friendly activities These will include carbon, non-timber forest products, sustainable tree crops and ecotourism This could potentially generate new economic value into the state. Within 10 years, Cross River State will have 1 million hectares of forest lands managed for climate change friendly activities These will include carbon, non-timber forest products, sustainable tree crops and ecotourism This could potentially generate new economic value into the state. CROSS RIVER STATE’S VISION

16. LAC forest program: FCPF high degree of political support and leadership Significant high carbon habitat and rich biodiversity Valuable community forestry examples Significant NTFP potential and tree crop farming Ecotourism potential Large potential client base for purchase of future credits high degree of political support and leadership Significant high carbon habitat and rich biodiversity Valuable community forestry examples Significant NTFP potential and tree crop farming Ecotourism potential Large potential client base for purchase of future credits Our Strengths

17. Low REDD/PES awareness at federal, state and site levels, Low institutional capacity at all levels No federal or state level REDD carbon framework/legislation Uncertainty around land tenure and carbon rights Low budgets to environment at federal and state levels Significant gaps in sustainable NTFP harvesting and marketing plans LAC forest program: FCPF Our Challenges

18. We would like to ask for partnership with you on this journey that we are committed to travelling. You will have all the political support you require to help us achieve our vision for a carbon friendly future. 18 Thank you!!!