Authors: Forneri, Claudio; Blaser, Jürgen; Jotzo, Frank; Robledo, Carmenza

Source: Climate Policy, Volume 6, Number 3, 2006 , pp. 275-294(20)

Publisher: Earthscan

Abstract:

A process for reducing emissions from deforestation in developing countries has been initiated under the UNFCCC. Efforts to agree on a legally binding instrument to halt deforestation have previously failed in other international fora. The magnitude of the social, economic, technical and political complexities underlying deforestation have led to negotiations being challenging. What policy instruments could provide incentives to reduce deforestation, and how could these instruments be framed, under the UNFCCC? This article analyses the advantages and disadvantages of the available alternatives within and outside of the Kyoto Protocol. Staying within the Kyoto framework means low institutional development costs, established but limited incentives for action, and low flexibility. Alternatives outside the Protocol provide higher institutional development costs, uncertainties with regard to the incentives, but greater flexibility. We argue that a separate protocol may be the most viable option, as it could offer the necessary flexibility and avoid some technical and political pitfalls that would be likely to beset new efforts under the Kyoto Protocol. The article also presents the concept of `committed forests' as a means of defining geographically where the reduction of emissions from deforestation can take place.

Keywords: LULUCF; Deforestation; Kyoto Protocol; UNFCCC; Incentive mechanisms; Greenhouse gases; Forest

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2006-01-01

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• Editor in Chief: Michael Grubb, Cambridge University, UK

  Climate Policy presents the highest quality refereed research and analysis on the policy issues raised by climate change, and provides a forum for commentary and debate. It addresses both the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change, within and between the different regions of the world. It encourages a trans-disciplinary approach to these issues at international, regional, national and sectoral levels.

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