South Africa launches nature-based carbon removal and rural development initiative in Eastern Cape
South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has announced a new partnership with the Nqadu Kingdom in the Eastern Cape to advance nature-based carbon dioxide removal, ecosystem restoration and rural development initiatives.
The collaboration aims to identify opportunities that combine environmental protection with economic development, creating jobs, restoring degraded landscapes and supporting sustainable livelihoods through forestry, climate-smart agriculture and other green economy activities.
The partnership follows a request from South Africa’s Deputy President for the DFFE to support the Nqadu Kingdom in developing initiatives focused on carbon removal, environmental sustainability and inclusive rural development. Following technical engagements earlier this year, the department confirmed that the Kingdom has significant natural assets and development potential.
Ms B. Swarts, speaking at the Nqadu Great Place, said the initiative represents the beginning of a long-term partnership between traditional leadership, government, communities, private-sector partners and development organisations.
The collaboration will support South Africa’s broader climate objectives by strengthening adaptation measures, accelerating decarbonisation efforts and developing nature-based solutions to address the impacts of climate change.
As part of the initiative, the DFFE will support the Nqadu Kingdom through the National Greening Programme, which aims to plant one billion trees over five years. The department will provide 2,000 indigenous and fruit trees to the Kingdom as part of the planned national tree planting campaign, with 750 indigenous trees delivered immediately and the remaining 1,250 fruit trees scheduled for delivery in August 2026.
The programme is expected to contribute to carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection and improved climate resilience while creating opportunities for local communities.
The partnership will also expand community participation in the forestry sector through South Africa’s Community Forestry Agreement programme. Seven state plantations in the Nqadu area have already been transferred to beneficiary communities, with a further four plantations planned for transfer during the current financial year.
The DFFE said additional support will be provided through partnerships with forestry companies to help communities access investment, technical expertise, skills development and commercial markets.
The Eastern Cape has been identified as a key region for future forestry expansion, with more than 100,000 hectares considered to have afforestation potential. Development of new forestry areas could create employment while supporting downstream industries including timber processing, furniture manufacturing and biomass energy.
The initiative will also focus on ecosystem restoration, climate-smart agriculture and agroforestry. Through biodiversity programmes, the DFFE will support projects designed to improve food security, rehabilitate degraded land and strengthen community resilience against climate impacts.
The Nqadu Kingdom is also expected to benefit from programmes such as the South African Great Green Wall Initiative and the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, which support community-led restoration and sustainable agriculture projects.
In addition, the DFFE is exploring opportunities to introduce community-based electronic waste collection and recycling initiatives in the Kingdom. The department said e-waste management can create green jobs while reducing environmental impacts.
Through South Africa’s national E-Waste Programme, more than 108 tonnes of electronic waste have already been collected, generating approximately R400,000 in incentives for participating communities.
Environmental employment programmes will form another part of the collaboration. Through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), the DFFE has continued to combine ecosystem protection with job creation, including the Working for the Coast Programme in the Great Kei to Mbashe area, which supported 199 participants through a R8.3 million project.
The partnership will now establish a joint technical task team involving representatives from the Nqadu Kingdom, government departments and other stakeholders to develop implementation plans, coordinate resources and monitor progress.
Priority areas include expanding forestry agreements, restoring degraded land, planting trees, developing climate-smart agriculture projects, creating recycling initiatives, expanding employment programmes and strengthening skills development partnerships.
The initiative reflects South Africa’s growing focus on nature-based carbon removal solutions as part of its climate strategy, while using environmental programmes to support rural economic development and community empowerment.
