The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-13) conducted an orientation on carbon trading for its officials region-wide on October 18, 2022, at its Regional Learning Center in Barangay Ambago, Butuan City.

The activity aims to brief DENR top officials in the region on the concepts of carbon trading/credits, the role of the DENR in the enhancement of forest carbon stocks and reduction of emissions from forests, and the results of the Carbon Stock Assessment for NGP Plantations from CY 2011-2018 conducted by the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB).

In his message during the program, Regional Executive Director (RED) Nonito M. Tamayo said, "the activity would tackle the prospects of the region to engage in the carbon market as it could set a sustainable source of funds to finance sustainable forest management practices in the area.”

He added, "the National Greening Program (NGP), for example, which budget for next year significantly diminished, but, if we have funding that is more sustainable than what we used to have, it would be a great help for our region, most especially to our colleagues from the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), the indigenous peoples (IP) groups, and the upland farmers in general.”

“They could use the incentives they may get from this market-based instrument to implement livelihood activities,” Tamayo added.

Carbon trading is a market-based scheme aimed at lowering greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels, which is one of the chief contributors to global warming.

RED Tamayo stressed that "with carbon trading, we are actually hitting two birds with one stone-- first, we win our people from unsustainable forest management practices, and second, we promote the conservation and preservation of our natural resources, making our communities more resilient to climate change.”

Atty. Ray Thomas F. Kabigting, who is also a forester, led the orientation of the participants on carbon management in the Philippines.

Mr. Brian Thomas of VERRA also discussed the process or steps of carbon trading.

After the discussion, DENR Caraga Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Management Services Atty. Claudio A. Nistal, Jr. facilitated the open forum for the participants to clarify some points about the topics presented by the resource persons.

In the afternoon session, Dr. Jose Alan A. Castillo of the ERDB presented the results of the Carbon Stock Assessment and long-term Carbon Sequestration of NGP plantations from CY 2011-2018.

Other participants in the event were ARD for Technical Services Maritess M. Ocampo, PENROs and CENROs, Division Chiefs of Technical Services, and other technical field personnel who attended online.

NCIP Regional Director Ordonio Rocero and his technical staff and representatives from the Department of Agriculture in the region also attended the orientation in preparation for possible collaboration in the implementation of projects on carbon trading in the region.##