Carbon-forestry projects in the Philippines: potential and challenges: the case of Mt Kitanglad Range forest-carbon development project

The proposed Mt Kitanglad Range forest-carbon development project aims to allow participation in the carbon market by increasing the permanent forest cover of the Mt Kitanglad Range National Park (’the Park’) by reforesting the grassland areas within its buffer zone. The project will enhance the ecological services of the Park while promoting socio-economic development activities for the forest occupants who depend on marginal agricultural cultivation within the Park. The project proposes an agroforestation scheme on 300.34 hectare as a carbon forestry project initiative. This is
made up of 198.29 hectare of purely forest trees as permanent protection forest and 102.05 hectare of agroforestry farm development to support the livelihoods, food sources and timber needs of participating landholders.


The study was conducted to assess the potential of, and challenges for, the proposed project to participate in carbon trading and rewards for environmental services mechanisms. One of the key strengths was the political will of the intermediary entity in helping the project participants, the occupants of deforested and degraded land. This manifested in the formulation of the project development plan.


The proposed project can potentially participate in the carbon market. There are constraints, but with the necessary technical and logistical support to achieve a final project proposal and/or project design document and subsequent operations, the Mt Kitanglad Range forest-carbon development project could potentially be a viable participant in the carbon trading and environmental services rewards mechanisms.