Tropical Deforestation and Carbon Emissions from Protected Area Downgrading, Downsizing, and Degazettement (PADDD)

Jessica L Forrest,Michael B Mascia,Sharon Pailler,Siti Zuraidah Abidin,Roopa Krithivasan,Juan Carlos Riveros,Mara Deza Araujo

doi:10.1111/conl.12144

Abstract

AbstractProtected area downgrading, downsizing and degazettement (PADDD) is a global phenomenon that has not received formal attention in Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) policies designed to reduce forest carbon emissions and conserve biodiversity. Here, we examine how PADDD affects deforestation and forest carbon emissions. We documented 174 enacted and 8 proposed PADDD events affecting more than 48,000 km2 in three REDD+ priority countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malaysia, and Peru. Where sufficient data were available, we estimated deforestation rates and the quantity and economic value of forest carbon already lost and at risk in three land tenure classes: PADDDed, protected, and never‐protected. PADDDed forests experienced deforestation and forest carbon emissions greatly exceeding rates in protected areas and slightly exceeding rates in never‐protected forests. PADDD represents business‐as‐usual for protected areas, posing substantial risk to forests and forest carbon stocks. REDD+ policies have substantive implications for protected area biodiversity and forest carbon emissions; the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ provides new, but insufficient, guidance for nations to address these issues.

Highlights

Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) are approaching 400 ppm, ß40% greater than prior to the Industrial Revolution (IPCC 2013)
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is an emerging international framework whereby donor countries compensate developing countries based on reductions in CO2 emissions realized through forest conservation and restoration (UNFCCC 2011)
We examine the impacts of PADDD on tropical deforestation and forest carbon emissions in three high priority REDD+ countries with large forest carbon stocks, high biodiversity (Kier et al 2009), and substantial numbers of PADDD events: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Malaysia, and Peru

Summary

Introduction

Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) are approaching 400 ppm, ß40% greater than prior to the Industrial Revolution (IPCC 2013). To mitigate CO2 emissions, climate change, and the resultant ecological and social impacts, public and private sector actors are implementing diverse strategies (Metz et al 2007). Central to these mitigation strategies are efforts to reduce. CO2 emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, which represent approximately 10% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC 2013). Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is an emerging international framework whereby donor countries compensate developing countries based on reductions in CO2 emissions realized through forest conservation and restoration (UNFCCC 2011).

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