Why REDD+ is bad and will make the climate crisis worse

Kjell Khne 27.11.2011

REDD+

Definition

REDD+ stands for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries + Forest Conservation, Sustainable Management of Forests and Enhancement of Forest Carbon Stocks

REDD+

How it works in theory

Deforestation: of global CO2 emissions 10-20% Trees should be worth more ($$) standing than cut down

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How it works in theory

How to achieve this? Send money to Brazil, Indonesia, Congo and hope it will stop deforestation Pay the countries that have been destroying their forests very quickly (but not the ones that have protected theirs)

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In practice

What happens in practice? Cutting down continues Rich people take the money Poor people are kicked out of the forest Big polluters take the carbon credits and pollute more!

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Practice

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Problems

And it's not even good for the climate! When one area is protected through a REDD+ project, businesses and people who want to cut down forests, simply go elsewhere --> this is called leakage The trees can die and then the carbon is back up in the air. Example: The Amazon rainforest will turn into a savannah if global warming continues! --> this is called permanence The forest country and the country that pays for REDD+ both can claim the emissions reductions and can use them to burn more fossil fuels --> this is called double counting

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In practice

In the end, we have MORE emissions, instead of less!

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Problems

So why would people want to do such a thing? North: To keep dirty (and powerful) industries running with cheap carbon offsets South: Politicians want to get $$$

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Practice

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REDD+ is a mechanism that is being talked about in the UN Climate Negotiations. At COP17 in Durban they will try to push it through. At Forest Day on Dec 4th they will be telling everyone how great REDD+ is.

REDD+

Alternatives

The Alternative: Protect indigenous peoples rights to their forest --> They have been protecting the forest for ages and will continue to protect it
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Deforestation around Xingu Indigenous Territory, Brazil 1994

Rainforest Foundation Norway

Deforestation around Xingu Indigenous Territory, Brazil 2005

Rainforest Foundation Norway

REDD+

Question for you: Should Plant-for-thePlanet make a statement about this? Opportunities: rd Global Day of Action, December 3 Billion Tree Campaign, December 7th Tree planting at ICC, December 8th

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Greetings from Durban!

Durban 2011