Forest carbon scheme faces difficult hurdles.

• Author: Block, Ben
• Position: EYE ON EARTH - Brief article

Negotiators at last December's Copenhagen climate summit agreed on the "immediate" need to sequester more greenhouse gases in forests through a mechanism known as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, or REDD. The nonbinding Copenhagen Accord was the first international pact to recommend that financial resources support the approach, and countries pledged some US$3.5 billion in funding.

REDD is considered a relatively affordable emission-reduction strategy that could also protect tropical ecosystems and support rural communities. But analysts warn that without proper reforms, the approach threatens to increase human rights violations, land conflicts, and forest-sector corruption, weakening its ability to reduce emissions.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Under REDD, forested countries would receive funding to limit deforestation, boost afforestation, and minimize carbon loss through forestry activities. Yet in many countries land ownership remains unclear, and campaigners worry that governments or private industry may displace forest communities to gain access to forest carbon. "REDD can be set up right to protect...