期刊名称:Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology
电子版ISSN:2249-0256
出版年度:2016
卷号:6
期号:2
出版社:Euresian Publications
摘要:Forest plays an important role in regulating the earth’s climate. However, this resource is under a great threat in Ghana. Reducing emission from deforestation and degradation, conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable management of forests, enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+) is one of the latest initiatives the country is embarking on to reverse this menace. The paper examines the feasibility of its implementation in Ghana by assessing the opportunity cost of farmers if they decide to engage in REDD+ projects. Thus, the aim of the paper is, to evaluate the cost and benefits of REDD+ implementation in Ghana and how the reducing emission goal could be attained. To do this, the profitability of the current land use practices and its associated opportunity cost of three communities in the central region of Ghana were estimated. Also, profits were calculated using enterprise budget method and the opportunity costs of the land use per hectare by the discounted cash flow analysis method. The results show that the current land use practice provides a more attractive option than any potential REDD+ project. This notwithstanding, the paper shows REDD+ can be a complementary policy in tackling forest degradation in Ghana.