In response to recently-observed climatic changes in Cameroon” RRI Partner CIFOR organized Forest Day Cameroon” held in Yaoundé on 24 April 2008. The occasion” intended to raise awareness of the critical role forests play in global climate change” brought a bevy of experts” academics” and representatives of local and international NGOs together with policymakers in order to come up with creative approaches to solving major problems in which forests and climate change coincide – specifically deforestation and forest degradation.

The Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) financing mechanism was a key issue that Forest Day participants addressed in Yaoundé. REDD is a policy option that has the potential to help tackle the twin challenges of poverty and climate change. However” clear land rights are a crucial prerequisite to REDD’s successful implementation. That is why CIFOR advises to:

• Build the capacity of national and local institutions.

Cameroon is a particularly important front in the campaign to mitigate the effects of climate change. It lies in the Central African Congo Basin” a forested area that will be integral to any global strategy for coping with climate change. In recognition of the gravity of climate change and forest issues” CIFOR hopes to make Forest Day an annual event.

Learn more

Read media coverage of Forest Day here.

Learn more about Forest Day here.

Learn more about REDD here.