Sustainable Landscapes
The land use sector—including deforestation and the degradation of forest—accounts for one-quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. Agriculture is the major driver of deforestation, resulting in direct emissions from on-farm practices, as well as indirect emissions from land use conversion. Human well-being and sustainable development are underpinned by well-managed lands and natural resources. Thus, Sustainable Landscapes programs focus on places where forest carbon storage is high and where risk of deforestation may be great. Indeed, guiding the evolution of broad landscape mosaics is integral to a country’s holistic low emissions development.
USAID supports activities that reduce land-based emissions—from mangroves, to savannas, to agricultural fields. Partnering with governments, USAID is assisting in planning and implementing policies to address drivers of land-based emissions. By building capacity for rigorous, transparent monitoring of forest and carbon stocks, USAID supports REDD+ project development. Other activities work to identify better practices and on-the-ground opportunities for low-emissions agriculture.
Features
ProLand
ProLand supports USAID Missions to improve land use management using a systems approach to resilient development that integrates ecological, economic, and governance aspects.
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A Role for Sustainable Landscapes in Responding to the Pandemic
In the previous two blogs in this series, we looked at how deforestation and forest fragmentation can create the conditions in which pandemics can arise and at how forests are faring amidst the pandemic.
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Effective Engagement with Indigenous Peoples
USAID designed this guidance document as a practical tool for more effective partnership with Indigenous Peoples in sustainable landscapes program activities.
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SilvaCarbon
SilvaCarbon draws on scientific capacity from a number of U.S. federal agencies to help host government counterparts and other local organizations to improve their capacity to monitor and manage tropical forests and other carbon-rich areas.
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Low-Emissions Opportunities in Agriculture
USAID and the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security are partnering with country experts to identify low-emission opportunities in agriculture that also contribute to food security, with a focus on smallholder farming.
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