Co-benefits

Definition

These are benefits arising from climate actions such as renewable energy projects, adaptation actions, and REDD+ schemes that offer extra benefits to people and the envelopment such as alleviating poverty, protecting the environment, enhancing biodiversity, improving forest governance and protecting human rights.'

Source: UN-REDD

Explainer

Co-benefits are additional benefits that go beyond GHG emissions avoidance and removal, such as positively impacting communities and biodiversity. It is important to note that not all types of carbon projects offer the same types or levels of co-benefits. For instance, a REDD+ project that aims to protect a forest from deforestation could, as a result, create jobs in the area and also protect local biodiversity, whereas a direct air capture (DAC) project could create a few jobs but not have wider ecological benefits.

Learn more about the co-benefits communities in West Africa have gained through climate adaptation here.