Several trend analyses show that Benin remains vulnerable to the impacts of environmental degradation including land degradation, biodiversity erosion and climate change, which result in the rapid disappearance of vegetation cover, the impoverishment of agricultural land, a significant decline in agricultural yields, the loss of biodiversity with the disappearance of several fauna and flora species, the congestion and shrinking of watercourses and wetlands, increasingly recurrent and intense flooding phenomena, and coastal erosion with heavy losses to the economy and the social well-being of the populations.

We ensure the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity, and the mitigation and adaptation of climate change, by improving the knowledge and leadership of local communities. We restore degraded forest ecosystems in community and sacred forests in several localities in Benin and we restore coastal-marine ecosystems, particularly mangroves, in the Lower Ouémé Valley Biosphere Reserve (RB-BVO).  

We strengthen the resilience of vulnerable rural communities, including those living near forests and wetlands and smallholder farmers, to the effects of climate change through the implementation of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) and community-based adaptation (AbC) actions in forest and agricultural landscapes. We ensure community monitoring of forests, fragile ecosystems and threatened species. That is why we promote the community-based forest management or conservation approach, paying attention to Community Conserved Areas (sacred forests, community forests, sacred rivers, sacred backwaters, etc.). This approach is our strategy to promote, encourage and strengthen the capacities of local communities to slow biodiversity loss and support climate change mitigation and adaptation. Above all, it is a measure to stop deforestation, while enabling indigenous peoples and local communities to enjoy the benefits of forests and land without depleting natural resources or harming the climate. 

Community Conserved Areas (CCA)

Community Conserved Areas make a significant contribution to biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and adaptation. They are home to an astonishing variety of animals (birds, mammals, reptiles, etc.) and highly endangered plant species. Community Conserved Areas also provide direct benefits to the rights and livelihoods of local communities, housing a variety of medicinal plants, fruit trees, and more.

Thus, their conservation constitutes a valuable aid both for the eradication of hunger and poverty, the promotion of sustainable development and for social, economic and climatic justice.