FORESTS in Kwale county have a high potential for carbon trading. Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute carbon specialist James Kairo says the more than 900 hectares Dzombo forest will earn the country more than Sh2.5 billion if it offsets its carbon emission.

"These forests also play a major role in biodiversity conservation as well as controlling climate change," Kairo. "With a proper afforestation programme, the community can enrich resources." said Kairo.

He attributed degradation of forest cover to illegal logging, encroachment, human wildlife conflict and climate change. "Reducing emission from deforestation and degradation can be used to support the forest sector in the country," he said.

According to the World Wide Fund an international NGO, the forests have an average carbon stock of more than 95.6 per cent. The NGO said the stocks will benefit the residents from the multi-million carbon trading, if proper strategies are put in place.