West Africa Biodiversity and Low Emissions Development (WABiLED) activity

The West Africa Biodiversity and Low Emissions Development activity promotes biodiversity conservation and supports climate-resilient, low emissions development in the West African countries of Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. As a partnering organization in this USAID activity, Winrock will support the development and implementation of rural livelihood activities that generate income and support sustainable management of forests. This includes supporting collaboration among governments, communities, and the private sector to improve management and conservation of forest landscapes and resources, increasing carbon sequestration and reducing emissions. It also will improve tenure security especially for vulnerable and disadvantaged populations; contribute to the development of incentives for low-emissions land management of protected areas, community resources, and private investment; and support land-based private sector investment and innovations that reduce threats to ecosystem services, enhance climate resilience, and promote social equity. The activity will reduce deforestation, forest degradation and biodiversity loss in key forests by providing technical assistance and knowledge management support. Finally, it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration from land use.