FC, Tullow Oil sign pact to reduce carbon emission
The Forestry Commission (FC) and Tullow Oil have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to embark on a project to reduce carbon emissions in the country.
The project, with focus on the western part of the transition zone in Bono East Region in line with Ghana’s Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation(REDD)+ strategy, would include community outreach and engagement, developing a roadmap for social inclusion and project safeguards.
The MoU gives Tullow a year exclusivity over the identified project area to reach the signing of an Emission Reduction Payment Agreement, and in return would provide funding to FC to undertake initial project development activities.
Ms Julia Ross, Director, People and Sustainability of Tullow Oil PLC, and Mr John Allotey, Chief Executive Officer of FC signed for their respective organisations.
Mr Allotey said, the agreement would kick-start the development of activities that would result in verified Emission Reductions and Removals from Deforestation and Forest Degradation as well as enhancement of Forest Carbon Stocks (REDD+) in line with Ghana’s REDD+ Strategy and Tullow Oil’s decarbonisation programme.
He said the FC was championing Ghana’s REDD+ agenda with the support of various stakeholders, which had already led to the development and implementation of two sub-national REDD+ programmes, namely the Ghana Cocoa Forest Landscape Restoration Programme (GCFLRP) in the Cocoa Forest Landscapes.
He said the new partnership with Tullow, was for activities in the transition zone of Ghana, signalling yet another significant REDD+ milestone for Ghana as we begin to develop interventions for the third ecological landscape programme according to the 20- year REDD+ strategy launched in 2016.
We are embarking on nature-based solutions, paying particular attention to international carbon market regulations and best practices, the Commission’s Forest and Wildlife Policy, as well as Tullow’s commitment to becoming a net-zero Company by 2030.
Mr Allotey stated that landscape actors in the programme area covering Bono and Bono East Regions (Atebubu Amantin, Pru East, Pru West, Berekum East Municipal, Berekum West, Sunyani West, Tain, Kintampo South, Nkoranza North, and Nkoranza South) would not be left out of this process.
Targeted engagements with Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Society Organisations, traditional authorities, community members, the media, the youth and vulnerable groups and other government agencies would be undertaken with transparency and within forest carbon accountability principles.
He said the FC would work to achieve national greenhouse gas reduction targets and global 1.5 temperature climate goals.
Ms Ross in her remarks stated that Tullow was committed to the responsible production of oil and gas in the host nation, and to be a leader in environmental stewardship which involves managing of emissions.
“About a year ago, Tullow and the Forestry Commission of Ghana signed a Memorandum of Understanding to identify and develop carbon offset projects that will soon support Tullow’s 2030 Net zero plans and Government of Ghana REDD+ strategy and it’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement”, she added.
She said the partnership would help lead to affordable and clean energy, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 7 taking the right climate action SDG 13.
Present were Martha Kwayie, Sulemana Nyadia Nelson, Musa Idrisu, all Deputy Chief Executives and Roselyn Fosuah Adjei, Director Climate Change all from Forestry Commission.
The rest were Mr Wissam Al-Mouthiry, Managing Director, Mrs Cynthia Lumor, Deputy Managing Director and Nana Ewusie Prah, External Affairs Team lead all of Tullow Ghana.
BY ANITA NYARKOYIRENKYI
