Following December’s U.N. climate change conference in Copenhagen, the world’s leading climate scientists and experts were left to identify how its outcome will shape real progress in the climate debate. While the end results were not as progressive as the climate community had aimed for, there were some notable outcomes that are leading us forward.
The progress made in Copenhagen reflects a dramatic shift in the climate change discussion, elevating the problem from a purely scientific issue with uncertain solutions to an essential component of the global economic development agenda which considers the inherent value of ecosystems for all of us.
REDD+ and Development
Every year, the burning and clearing of the world’s forests releases more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than all the cars, trucks, trains, ships and planes combined, making the protection of standing forests an essential component of the global fight against climate change.
LEARN MORE: The Role of Forests in Mitigating Climate Change
Under the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)’s proposed REDD+ mechanism (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation “plus” conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks), developed countries financially compensate developing countries for conserving their forests. Not only will this system protect the forest ecosystems which help to sustain all life on Earth, it also provides incentives for governments and communities to improve their local economies and livelihoods by conserving valuable resources, rather than aiding in their destruction. Generated income can be invested back into local communities through various development projects, from exploring new ways to generate electricity to unearthing technologies for sustainable food production.
The progress made in Copenhagen reflects a dramatic shift in the climate change discussion, elevating the problem from a purely scientific issue with uncertain solutions to an essential component of the global economic development agenda which considers the inherent value of ecosystems for all of us.
Forest carbon initiatives can involve many partners, from national governments and private companies to nonprofits and small communities. In December, Germany became the first nation to use revenue generated from the sale of carbon credits through the European Emissions Trading System to fund REDD+ activities. The money will go towards the low-carbon development plans currently being implemented in Guyana and Suriname, with the help of advisory teams with representatives from Conservation International (CI) and other partners, and it points to an entirely new, reliable and long-term funding source. This investment will ultimately yield joint development and environmental benefits, including strengthening small enterprises that rely on the region’s ecosystems and resources, and promoting ecotourism.
Hope from Copenhagen
Although a legally binding agreement was not reached between the parties of the UNFCCC during December’s meetings, 55 countries (which account for 78 percent of the world’s global emissions from energy use) have committed to cutting their national greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Important pledges were made by both developed and developing countries, particularly in regard to forest protection.
FEATURE: Preparing for REDD+
- Developed countries committed to providing $30 billion from 2010-2012 to developing countries for mitigation and adaptation efforts, including REDD+.
- The United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France, Australia and Norway agreed to provide $3.5 billion from 2010-2012 specifically to address the issue of deforestation.
- In the long term, developed countries committed to mobilize $100 billion per year by 2020, from a variety of sources.
- Certain tropical forest countries also made impressive commitments: Peru pledged to reach zero deforestation by 2020; Brazil – which has far more tropical forest than any other country – committed to reduce deforestation by 80 percent by 2020.
Creating a Global Framework
These commitments by a wide variety of countries reflect a growing awareness and understanding of the role of forests and other intact ecosystems in climate change mitigation and economic development. They also represent the largest pledges yet for these efforts, with the hope that additional aid will be pledged as the process progresses.
However, in order to move forward at full speed, the international community must agree upon a globally-recognized framework for REDD+ which will provide the financial support and regulatory guidelines that will enable countries to effectively reduce deforestation and degradation across the Earth’s tropical forests. By working with governments and other stakeholders and promoting the successes of existing field demonstration sites, CI and our partners are determined to help make this framework a reality.
READ MORE: Forest Carbon Plan Pays Off