Reforestation, Development and Gender in Kenya

The Basque Government and the African organisation Green Belt Movement, have signed a collaboration agreement with the Ekopass Association in order to compensate CO2 emissions generated by the whole of the Basque Government through the planting of trees in Kenya. The agreement will develop reforestation projects designed to compensate the emissions generated by the government over the last three years through the use of its own fleet of vehicles and for other concepts such as air travel. Compensated emissions are estimated initially at some 35,000 tonnes equivalent of CO2, which will be offset by planting at least 250,000 trees. The project will also be used to foster the development of local communities in Kenya and especially for promoting the interests of women. The Green Belt Movement is led by the Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Matthai. Wangari has gained world-wide recognition for her efforts in favour of sustainable development, democracy and peace. The Green Belt Movement has already planted more than 20 million trees in an attempt to avoid deforestation and desertification in Africa. The programme is being developed mainly by women who receive economic compensation for the adequate management of their forests. In 1986, the Movement established a pan-African network and since then has not stopped growing. The strategy of the Green Belt Movement consists of protecting the environment to guarantee and strengthen the bases for sustainable development through education, family planning, nutrition, peace and the fight against corruption. With this initiative, the Basque Government is contributing to the struggle against climate change by increasing our level of responsibility towards future generations.