Carbon sequestration in Africa: The land tenure problem

Background

Research on afforestation and reforestation projects highlights how tropical forests can store carbon on a large scale. Africa offers vast areas of suitable land for carbon sequestration through these initiatives. However, the author argues that land tenure issues in Africa create an obstacle to achieving this potential.

Goals and Methods

This paper investigates the key land tenure challenges affecting carbon sequestration through tree planting projects in Africa. The author directly addresses five main issues: (1) the disconnect in land tenure, (2) the complexities of tenurial pluralism, (3) the intricacies of tree tenure, (4) the expansion of tree-covered areas on smallholder African landscapes, and (5) the challenges of so-called "abandoned land."

Conclusions and Takeaways

Several land tenure challenges hinder Africa's potential for carbon sequestration through afforestation and reforestation projects. A key issue arises from the disconnect between customary land rights, which rely on occupancy, use, and lineage, and state-controlled statutory systems. Legal pluralism complicates the situation further, as conflicting legal frameworks often fail to reflect customary practices, and governments have largely failed to implement uniform statutory laws. People often view tree planting as a land claim, creating tension on lands governed by customary tenure. Furthermore, the expansion of tree-covered areas in smallholder systems depends on local tenure and ecological conditions, which frequently clash with the formalized approaches required for carbon projects. Finally, many assume that "abandoned lands" are available for such initiatives, but in the African context, these lands typically have historical claims that often lead to conflict.