REDD+  is a forest protection strategy being negotiated under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).  In a nutshell, REDD+ (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) will provide compensation to governments, communities, companies or individuals in developing countries for the loss of income resulting from reduced deforestation.  The aim is to make forests worth more standing than cut down.

REDD+ is expected to be a key part of the new climate agreement and aims to include a monitoring system to ensure that both funders and recipients deliver results. Properly implemented, REDD+ will respect the rights and livelihoods of indigenous peoples and forest communities while providing numerous other environmental benefits, such as protection of biodiversity and water conservation. Eventually REDD+ is expected to provide billions of dollars a year for developing countries through a performance-based approach. Compensation will be based on results.

The mechanism for long-term financing of REDD+ and disbursal of funds has not yet been determined but is expected to be a combination of donor government funds and private finance raised through the carbon markets. A role for the markets is controversial. Some proponents consider them the only practical way of raising the amount of money needed for REDD+ to succeed. Opponents claim they will undermine climate mitigation in developed countries by allowing the large polluters to simply buy carbon credits to offset their emissions and continue with business as usual.

Like all good ideas, “the devil is in the detail”.  REDD+ has the potential to finally provide the means to both stop deforestation of tropical forests and ensure a continuous supply of funding for developing countries to continue development, but on a low carbon pathway. Poorly designed and implemented, with insufficient safeguards, there is a risk it could perversely encourage the expansion of logging into intact natural forests, leading to the conversion of carbon rich forests into biodiversity-poor plantations or degraded forests. Good governance in donor and recipient countries is the cornerstone on which REDD+ will succeed or fail.

Comments are closed.