Making Copenhagen count

REDD is the new green

Mark Rose, Chief Executive of FFI, answers the critics of REDD and explains why the mechanism must be given a chance to work if we are to avert catastrophic climate change.

The Copenhagen Conference of the Parties  presents the world with an opportunity to include emissions from habitat destruction in the global climate treaty in the form of Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) mechanism.  

It is essential that negotiators at Copenhagen get it right to prevent REDD from falling at the first hurdle. Rewarding countries and communities for not destroying their forests is a complex business.

However, some of the voices of concern are even suggesting that REDD should not be pursued and that energies should be focused elsewhere.

One of many tools in the global toolbox

Some argue that focusing on deforestation in developing countries reduces pressure on developed countries to cut their own emissions. In other words, that REDD lets the polluters off the hook.

They are missing the point. Protection of forests and other carbon storing habitats is not an alternative to Annex I countries reducing their own domestic emissions. The two go hand-in-hand.

I’m all in favour of pressurising countries and corporates to put their own house in order, but here’s the thing: deforestation accounts for a jaw-dropping 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than the entire transport sector.

Respecting the rights of local people

Indigenous peoples and rights-based organisations are among the strongest critics of the REDD process. They maintain that international forest carbon activities could adversely affect indigenous and other forest-dependent people by restricting their access to forests and resources.

At FFI, we are proceeding on the basis that human rights are the number one priority. Without the full participation and agreement of forest-dependent communities in the decision-making process, REDD is a complete non-starter.

The same is true of revenue sharing, which must be made equitable to ensure that a select few do not profit from REDD at the expense of local communities.

FFI is already demonstrating the feasibility of this approach in the Indonesian province of Aceh, Sumatra , where ‘avoided deforestation’ initiatives are contributing to post-tsunami recovery.

An unrepeatable opportunity

The monumental challenge of climate change cannot be tackled with simple, ‘one-size-fits-all’ solutions. It will demand a plethora of different approaches, some of which require a pioneering spirit and a sizeable stomach for risk. 

REDD is no silver bullet, but it represents a golden opportunity. At FFI, rather than sitting back and speculating whether it will work, we are out in the field focusing our energies proving that it can.

We’re working with local communities, talking with national governments and collaborating with players from the international financial markets to give REDD every possible chance of delivering a greener, healthier planet.

Learn more about our REDD work.

Read Mark’s full article and about the Ulu Masen REDD project in TIME Magazine