ISSN: 14629011 CODEN: ESCPF DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2006.08.009 Document Type: Article Source Type: Journal

View references

Clearing the way for reducing emissions from tropical deforestation

Skutsch, M.^a , Bird, N.^b , Trines, E.^c , Dutschke, M.^d , Frumhoff, P.^e , de Jong, B.H.J.^f , van Laake, P.^g , Masera, O.^h , Murdiyarso, D.ⁱ

^a  Department of Technology and Sustainable Development, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, Netherlands
^b  Joanneum Research, Elizabethstrasse 5/1, A-8010 Graz, Austria
^c  Gramserweg 2, 3711 AW Austerlitz, Netherlands
^d  Biocarbon, Badstrasse 41, 77652 Offenburg, Germany
^e  Union of Concerned Scientists, 2 Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA 02238-9105, United States
^f  El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Villahermosa, Carr. Vhsa-Reforma Km. 15.5, Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
^g  ITC, Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 6, 7500 AA Enschede, Netherlands
^h  Centro de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas, UNAMAP 27-3 Xangari, 58089 Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
ⁱ  Center for International Forestry Research, Jl. CIFOR, Situ Gede Sindangbarang, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia

Abstract

Carbon emissions from tropical deforestation account for about 25% of all anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions but cannot be credited under current climate change agreements. In the discussions around the architecture of the post-2012 climate regime, the possibility of including credits for reduced emissions from deforestation arises. The paper reviews two approaches for this, compensated reductions (CR) as proposed by Santilli et al. and the Joint Research Centre proposal that combine voluntary commitments by non-Annex I countries to reduce emissions from deforestation with carbon market financing. Both approaches have the clear advantages of simplicity and the possibility of fitting to an evolving greenhouse gas emission reduction regime. The authors consider the strengths and limitations of each proposal and build upon them to address several implementation challenges and options for improvement. Given the urgency of avoiding dangerous climate change, the timely development of technically sound, politically acceptable, cost-effective and practicable measures to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation is essential. These two approaches take us a step closer to this goal, but they need to be refined rapidly to enable this goal to be realised. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language of original document

English

Author keywords

Avoided deforestation; Carbon credits; Compensated reductions

Index Keywords

EMTREE drug terms: carbon dioxide; fossil fuel

EMTREE medical terms: air pollution control; article; biomass; climate change; cost effectiveness analysis; deforestation; environmental monitoring; financial management; forestry; greenhouse gas; methodology; policy; political system; priority journal; remote sensing; tropical rain forest

Chemicals and CAS Registry Numbers

carbon dioxide, 124-38-9, 58561-67-4