AYV News, March 19, 2025
In unifying the major private sector carbon developers in Sierra Leone, the Association of Carbon Conservation and Reforestation (ACCR) has been launched, as a trade association, representing the six largest carbon developers in Sierra Leone. Carbon developers work in partnership with communities across the country to restore the natural ecosystem whilst improving livelihoods.
ACCR will represent the private sector as a single voice after coming into effect in November 2024, in all discussions and consultations with stakeholders in carbon finance in Sierra Leone
Speaking to the press yesterday at the Sierra Leone’s National Forest and Climate Forum at the Bintumani Conference Center, in Freetown on the theme “Protect Sierra Leone: For Nature and People”, the Chairman of the Association of Carbon Conservation and Reforestation (ACCR) who also doubles as the Rainforest Builder Business Development Director, Ben Hampson said ACCR will represent the Private Sector as a single voice in all discussions and consultations with stakeholders in carbon finance in Sierra Leone.
ACCR comprises of the following members, all of whom have invested in carbon development projects in Sierra Leone: West Africa Blue, Rainforest Builder, Rewilding, Freetown the Treetown, Del Agua and Gola Rainforest.
According to Mr. Hampson that each company funds its activities through attracting climate finance from some of the biggest companies in the world, channelling these funds into communities in rural Sierra Leone to help restore and preserve the natural ecosystem.
He went ahead to explain the objective of ACCR, which is mainly to work with the Government of Sierra Leone to establish a fair and equitable operating environment for carbon development projects, so that all stakeholders may benefit from the opportunities created, such as jobs, economic development, ecosystem restoration.
The Director undercored that the members of ACCR collectively employ 4,500 people, mainly in Sierra Leone noting that they have as well planted more than 3.5 million trees and are delivering more than a quarter of a million cook stoves.
“The members of ACCR all follow the same mantra – restore and preserve the environment, whilst ensuring we improve livelihoods in the rural communities in which we operate. This means creating jobs, developing skills, improving agricultural yields and achieving better health outcomes,” he stated.
He furthered that each company working on the land closely adheres to the Customary Land Rights Act of 2022, as well as follows a full free, prior and informed consent process with all adult community members.
He mentioned about their cordial relationship with the relevant stakeholders and partners, not limited to the Ministries of Environment, Finance, Trade and Energy and as well as their good working relationships with the Ministries of Agriculture, Land, Local Government, Justice and Youth, as they have a broad positive impact, touching the lives of many Sierra Leoneans
He applauded the Government of Sierra Leone, to have legislates the carbon Market Framework and put in place a Carbon Market Office. “We will be delighted to work closely with the GoSL to bring this about – the faster the better to ensure a greater flow of carbon finance and community benefits to Sierra Leone,” he assured.
