Elements for the expected mechanisms on ‘reduced emissions from deforestation anddegradation, REDD’ under UNFCCC

Abstract

Carbon emissions from deforestation and degradation account for about 20% of globalanthropogenic emissions. Strategies and incentives for reduced emissions from deforestationand degradation (REDD) have emerged as one of the most active areas in the internationalclimate change negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on ClimateChange (UNFCCC). While the current negotiations focus on a REDD mechanism indeveloping countries, it should be recognized that risks of carbon losses from forests occurin all climate zones and also in industrialized countries. A future climate changeagreement would be more effective if it included all carbon losses and gains fromland use in all countries and climate zones. The REDD mechanism will be animportant step towards reducing emissions from land use change in developingcountries, but needs to be followed by steps in other land use systems and regions.A national approach to REDD and significant coverage globally are needed todeal with the risk that deforestation and degradation activities are displacedrather than avoided. Favourable institutional and governance conditions need to beestablished that guarantee in the long-term a stable incentive and control system formaintaining forest carbon stocks. Ambitious emission reductions from deforestation andforest degradation need sustained financial incentives, which go beyond positiveincentives for reduced emissions but also give incentives for sustainable forestmanagement. Current data limitations need—and can be—overcome in the comingyears to allow accurate accounting of reduced emissions from deforestation anddegradation. A proper application of the conservativeness approach in the REDDcontext could allow a simplified reporting of emissions from deforestation in afirst phase, consistent with the already agreed UNFCCC reporting principles.