Anthropogenic activity especially land use for agricultural activities in developing countries, is increasing greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere, threatening human development and ecosystem resilience now and in future. Whether or not a country contributes to the causes of climate change, the effects of climate change are experienced globally with diverse pressure exerted on natural resources, communities and societies. This paper therefore, sought to explore the incentives for community participation in a climate change mitigation programme. Specifically, it questioned the impact of the participatory environmental management approach (PEMA) on local community livelihoods? Secondly, it assessed the contribution of PEMA to forest conservation? And thirdly, it assessed the incentives for local community participation in the programme (PEMA)?