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Rich logging countries open logging loophole in plan to reduce deforestation mongabay.com December 15, 2009 "The latest proposal from Annex 1 parties would not only allow countries to conceal large quantities of emissions from forestry using complicated accounting tricks, but would also let countries change rules at a later date to hide even more," said the Ecosystems Climate Alliance (ECA), a coalition of activist groups, in a statement.
The projected baselines language was originally intended to provide incentives for tropical countries with low deforestation rates — like Gabon and Gabon — to avoid forest clearing in the future (reducing deforestation in high deforestation countries could result in 'leakage' whereby logging and agriculture is displaced to low deforestation countries). But the provision is now being used by rich countries with strong logging industries as a loophole for logging or to offset emissions from other sectors. 
"Christmas is coming early for developed countries in Copenhagen," said Alex Kaat of Wetlands International. "Not only can they pick and choose what they want to count, they’re building in an escape clause if it turns out later that they don't like their baselines after all." Andrea Johnson of the Environmental Investigation Agency said the lack of integrity among major logging countries in the developed world could undermine efforts to reduce tropical deforestation. "Can we really ask developing countries to adopt better rules and practices than developed countries are willing to use for themselves?" said Johnson. "The hypocrisy is stunning." Editor's note: The ECA subsequently retracted its comment regarding Finland's land use practices and carbon accounting. Related articles Progress made on two key REDD issues in Copenhagen (12/15/2009) Negotiators in Copenhagen have made progress on two key issues for the reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) mechanism, reports a forest policy group. New REDD text is weak, say activists (12/12/2009) Activist group have condemned the latest draft text of an agreement that aims to protect rainforests as a means to mitigate climate change.
Tags: logging redd avoided deforestation forestry forests rainforests climate change politics politics environmental politics environment green canada europe Australia japan deforestation primary forests old growth forests Environmental news index | RSS | News Feed | Twitter | Home Advertisements:
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