Executive summary
This report was commissioned as a learning process for practitioners who are involved in the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR) and the Jobs for Carbon project (J4C). The report looks mainly at the carbon economy and how the J4C can further finance spekboomveld restoration in the Little Karoo. International and local carbon markets are explored and how they work. In addition to carbon as a means of financing spekboomveld restoration, other potential options are explored which emerged whilst engaging with experts in this field. Some of the key feedback that emerged was that additional sources of income may make spekboomveld restoration more viable financially. Additional options include Biodiversity Offsets, Green Bonds, sustainable agriculture and engaging the private sector on their sustainability objectives. Key to the success of spekboom restoration projects will be investing in experimentation and research to identify best planting methods to maximize plant survivorship and predictability for potential investors. This report will be further deconstructed to create learning workshops for practitioners, landowners and stakeholders in the GCBR and J4C.