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Fate of world’s rainforests likely to be determined in next 2 years

The fate of millions of hectares of tropical forests will probably be sealed this year and next year, reports a new set of policy papers detailing an emerging climate change mitigation mechanism known as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD). REDD has been proposed by the U.N. and other entities as a form of carbon finance under which industrialized nations would pay tropical countries for conserving their forest cover. Deforestation and forest degradation currently account for roughly one fifth of carbon emissions, more than all the planet’s cars, trucks, planes, ships, and trains combined.


Rainforest in Sumatra

The papers, underwritten and disseminated by Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, indicate that REDD offers “immense opportunities and equally-daunting risks.” Potential benefits from REDD include conserving forests, their resident biodiversity, and the ecosystem services they provide; generating sustainable livelihoods for rural and forest-dependent populations; engaging developing countries in climate change policy; and offering a potentially cost-effective means for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Concerns include whether REDD will destabilize carbon markets, thereby potentially reducing incentives for investment in clean energy; fairness in the distribution of benefits to various stakeholders, including forest communities; issues of transparency, governance, and rights to resources; and whether the mechanism can be designed and implemented to effectively cut emissions.

The lead report concludes that while many issues still remain to be resolved, “forests must be part of any effective effort to address global climate change.”

“Careful design of forest carbon policy is essential to the quality and integrity of forest carbon mitigation opportunities,” states the introduction in the lead report.

“International Forest Carbon and Climate Policy” Series

International Forest Carbon and the Climate Change Challenge: Issues and Options

A multi-author collaborative report highlighting the most promising opportunities and pressing challenges associated with the effort to bring deforestation and forest degradation into climate policy by Lydia Olander, William Boyd, Kathleen Lawlor, Erin Myers Madeira, and John O Niles.
Full report >
Executive Summary >
(Policy brief versions coming soon)

Including International Forest Carbon Incentives in Climate Policy: Understanding the Economics
A report discussing the economic dimensions of international forest carbon payments.

Full report >
Executive Summary >

Policy Impacts on Deforestation: Lessons from Past Experiences to Inform New Initiatives
A policy brief exploring what has worked in reducing forest loss and degradation and what has not, and the reasons for these different outcomes.
Policy brief >

(Full report coming soon)

The Crucial Role of Forests in Combating Climate Change
Policy brief >

 

International Forest Carbon in Current Policy Proposals
Policy brief >

 

Responding to Concerns and Questions
Policy brief >

 

Fundamentals for an International Forest Climate Policy
Policy brief >

 

Addressing the Causes of Tropical Deforestation
Lessons Learned and the Implications for International Forest Carbon Policy
Policy brief >

 

Experience on the Ground, In the Forests
Policy brief >

Event – Bonn Climate Change Talks June 2009 – Side Event
International REDD linkages: comparing US legislation and UNFCCC deliberations
Key UNFCCC REDD questions remain. Will REDD credits be fungible and if so when? Will there be a phased approach? Will REDD be a component of NAMAs? In the US, climate legislation also embraces international forest carbon. Experts from Tropical Forest Group & Duke University’s Nicholas Institute explore linkages, synergies and conflicts.

Presentation >

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