What is REDD and why is ONE supporting it?

Dec 15th, 2009 9:37 AM UTC
By Joseph Powell

In the first in a series of posts ONE’s Joe Powell looks at some of the key issues being discussed in Copenhagen…

The term REDD might not mean anything to you right now, but it’s set to be an important part of any global climate deal agreed at Copenhagen. REDD stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation in developing countries. The idea is that people who rely on forests in poorer countries will be provided with an income based on their forest’s capacity to store carbon and thus reduce greenhouse gases. This income will be linked to re-forestation and sustainable agro-forestry activities that marry forests’ economic, environmental and social benefits.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that 20% of CO2 emissions come from deforestation, so protecting forests could have huge impact in stemming the causes of climate change.  Africa also stands to greatly benefit as the Congo Basin, in the heart of the continent, holds up to one-quarter of the world’s tropical forests. A fully functioning REDD system would give communities living in the region payments for stewardship of their land, reducing the economic incentive to cut down trees and helping to finance development.

ONE is supporting moves to bring REDD into full operation, with new money being contributed from developed countries. It is particularly important that this works for Africa where deforestation rates are higher than any other continent, with over 4000 hectares of forest being lost every year.

You can read more about ONE’s policy on REDD in our document Africa and the Global Climate Deal.

TAGS: Climate and Development, Copenhagen, Policy News