Quang Nam province in Vietnam is experiencing a decline in natural forests due to the expansion of large acacia and rubber plantations; illegal logging and the conversion of forests to annual cropland; and infrastructure development for hydropower and roads. In September 2020, the USAID Green Annamites project completed a Carbon Assessment and Investment Case. This information was used in a discussion with potential investors to advance Quang Nam’s Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD+)* efforts and attract purchase of carbon credits from the province, offsetting these companies’ carbon footprints and supporting forest protection.

From November 18–24, USAID Green Annamites organized meetings in five target communes in Quang Nam province which brought communal, district, and provincial representatives together, as well as farmers and village leaders from each commune, to discuss necessary actions to implement a REDD+ project. Consensus to implement REDD+ was reached in all communes through consent agreements.

So What? USAID’s support to Quang Nam province has facilitated five international buyers’ interest in purchasing REDD+ carbon credits and recent communal-level approvals are enhancing Vietnam’s self-reliance in securing independent, private financing for long-term forest management and biodiversity conservation.

*REDD+ refers to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries.