Importance of Avoided Deforestation Recognized by Bali Agreement

In fall of 2007 the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued its most dire diagnosis of where human-produced greenhouse gas emissions are leading our planet: increased intensity and frequency of extreme weather (heat waves, cyclones, rainfall), severe droughts and flooding, decreased food production, and decreased water supplies throughout the western United States, the Mediterranean, northern Brazil and southern Africa. The report's significance earned IPCC the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize (shared with Al Gore). Its conclusive scientific information became the basis and motivation for strengthened global cooperation at the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Bali, Indonesia, in December 2007. There, over 180 nations met to agree on a road map to drastically reduce greenhouse gases in order to avoid catastrophic climate conditions.

A major breakthrough of the conference was its recognition of the important role that protecting standing forests plays in curbing carbon emissions. Because current rates of deforestation contribute 20% of all green-house emissions, decreasing deforestation rates is a powerful and cost-effective mechanism to reducing carbon emissions. Up until now, the short-term gains of logging or converting forests into agricultural land have typically outweighed any conservation considerations. Any attempt to curb this trend was perceived as a threat to a developing country's sovereignty and economic development.

By encouraging developing countries to reduce emissions from deforestation using financial incentives, the Bali agreement aims to modify this dynamic. All parties recognized what is needed to move beyond the traditional impasse and have put in place economic incentives that align needed conservation measures with the needs of the developing country. Specifically, the agreement will provide financial incentives to protect standing forests. Participating countries will be encouraged to calculate their current emission rates that result from deforestation. Once a baseline has been established, countries will be compensated for not exceeding their deforestation targets. The agreement also notes the special needs of the local and indigenous populations who depend on forest resources for their livelihoods and calls for measures to ensure that their needs and participation are integrated into these new conservation-led development efforts.

The Bali agreement's recognition of the value of reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) holds promise and opportunity for the communities and goals EcoLogic serves. We are encouraged to see that our long-standing approach to conservation-led development in rural communities is validated by the decisions taken. We are also confident that our partners are ready to assume the responsibilities of stewardship that these new efforts require.

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