Theory of change

The Greater Gola Landscape, spanning Sierra Leone and Liberia, is one of the largest remaining areas of Upper Guinean rainforest and a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot. Rapid economic development, combined with high dependence on natural resources, is placing increasing pressure on this ecosystem through agriculture, mining and logging.

The Gola Rainforest National Park addresses this challenge as Sierra Leone’s first rainforest national park and its first large-scale REDD project within a protected area. As a flagship conservation initiative, the project protects critical forest ecosystems, prevents deforestation and safeguards habitat for 60 globally threatened species, while maintaining essential ecosystem services and carbon storage.

Long-term conservation is achieved by linking forest protection with sustainable livelihoods. In a region where up to 90% of livelihoods depend on natural resources, the project supports environmentally sustainable income opportunities, such as small-scale cocoa farming that works in harmony with the forest. This integrated approach reduces pressure on the rainforest while strengthening community resilience and ensuring lasting climate and biodiversity impact.

Climate change mitigation

The Gola REDD+ Project, the first REDD initiative of its kind in West Africa, was launched in 2013 to deliver climate change mitigation in the Gola Rainforest.

As an Avoided Emissions project, Gola measures the amount of carbon saved by preventing deforestation within the protected area. Through sustainable forest management, around 19 million tonnes of carbon are stored in the rainforest each year, reducing emissions by approximately 500,000 tonnes of CO₂e compared to a scenario without the project. The carbon credits are CCB Double Gold certified.

• Rainforest conservation
• Protecting endangered species
• Creating sustainable income streams